Vol 13, No 6 (2024)
LINGUISTICS
Specificity of Translating Icononyms into Diverse Structural Languages (English, French, and Tatar)
Abstract
This study examines proper names functioning as titles of iconographic works (such as ‘Pokrov Bogomateri’ (the Protection of the Mother of God), ‘Voskreseniye Khristovo’ (the Resurrection of Christ), ‘Soshestviye vo ad’ (the Descent into Hell) etc.) in the context of exploring their translation into English, French, and Tatar. A comparative analysis of artionyms (icononyms) is conducted. The sources for this research include catalogs of ancient Russian painting, particularly those from the collection of the State Museum of Fine Arts of the Republic of Tatarstan (Kazan). The paper discusses the challenges involved in translating terms such as ‘umileniye’ (compassion), ‘pokrov’ (protection), and ‘успение’ (dormition) etc. On one hand, doctrinal discrepancies are noted in the target languages, which are attributed to extralinguistic factors (differences in approaches to key Christian doctrines among Orthodoxy, Protestantism, and Catholicism, as well as the absence of cultural elements from the source language in the target language). On the other hand, semantic inconsistencies are identified, which can be explained by attempts at generalization or, conversely, specification of the content of terms aimed at facilitating recipient comprehension. One of the most frequent translational transformations observed is calquing, with identified differences in word formation patterns explained by the distinct typological models of the languages being compared (synthetic, analytic, agglutinative).
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):9-25
9-25
English Verbs of Directional Vision:Compatibility with Designations of a Qualitative Attribute
Abstract
This article addresses the challenges of constructing a semantic model of verbs related to the concept of ‘directed vision process and its qualitative attribute’ based on English collocations. The authors examine the structure of meaning of these lexical items through the analysis of the collocational patterns of look, watch, glance, stare, and gaze. This classification can be seen as a step towards creating a typological semasiology of specific languages. The structure of the complex lexical meaning ‘directed vision process and its attribute’ can be broken down into the following components: the invariant meaning, i.e., the core sememe (directed vision process), and an additional semantic component, i.e., the subordinate sememe (qualitative attribute of the vision process). A comprehensive sample was taken from 8000 pages of text from 24 works of fiction, describing 927 collocations. The first group includes collocations expressing various negative emotions associated with directed vision process: bad mood, nervousness, distrust, unfriendliness, fear, hatred, contempt, cruelty, etc. The second group consists of collocations expressing attentiveness, steadfastness, surprise, curiosity, wonder in characterizing directed gaze. The third group combines collocations expressing activity, speed, brevity, stealth of a brief glance. The authors came to the conclusion that all vision lexemes, except the verb ‘to look’, have a complex meaning structure.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):26-42
26-42
Linguistic-Cultural Stereotype ‘Philologist’ in Individual Consciousness of Chinese Speakers
Abstract
This article is dedicated to modeling the linguistic-cultural stereotype ‘philologist’ in the individual consciousness of Chinese language speakers. The modeling procedure adopted in the study involves identifying the constitutive features of the professional stereotype, elucidating its figurative and valuable characteristics. Lexicographic data, materials obtained during sociolinguistic experiments, and photo documents were utilized as the primary sources. The analysis leads to the conclusion that within the Chinese linguistic-cultural context, this stereotype is interpreted much more broadly by individuals than defined in dictionaries. The sphere of activities of a Chinese philologist extends beyond the realm of science, making room for teaching activities, as well as affiliations with disciplines requiring erudition or language knowledge. It is established that in the individual consciousness of the Chinese, philology is almost entirely associated with linguistics. A typical philologist is a person who has received specialized education and possesses profound knowledge in the fields of languages and literature. They are characterized by rich inner culture, erudition, intellect, modesty, self-discipline, industriousness, openness, spirituality, pursuit of truth, articulate and elegant speech, respect for traditions, a healthy lifestyle, orientation towards spiritual rather than material values. The evaluative component of the stereotype exhibits axiological polarity with a significant bias towards positive traits.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):43-59
43-59
Concept of PRIDE in Comic Discourse: Axiological Approach
Abstract
This article examines the peculiarities of the actualization of the concept of PRIDE within comic discourse from the perspective of axiological linguistics. It determines the value status of the phenomenon under consideration based on an analysis of definitions from dictionaries spanning various years and relevant literature. The study demonstrates the evolution of attitudes toward pride and arrogance within English-speaking linguistic culture. It explores the concept’s connections with related phenomena such as arrogance, vanity, and snobbery. A four-step axiological analysis is conducted to investigate the features of the actualization of the concept of PRIDE in comic discourse. The research material comprises over 70 stand-up comedy performances and 700 episodes of situational comedies. It is established that the textual actualization of the category of pride or arrogance is typically accompanied by audience laughter or off-screen laughter. The study reveals that ridicule is directed at an inflated or unwarranted self-assessment of greatness and a sense of superiority over others. Three primary types of superiority are distinguished: intellectual, physical, and social. Furthermore, it is noted that pride/arrogance is evaluated negatively either through the outcomes it produces or through the demonstration of its unwarranted manifestations. The main linguistic means for actualizing the concept of PRIDE are identified. Thus, self-assessment of greatness is realized through hyperbolization of one’s abilities, while the sense of superiority over others is represented through various linguistic devices.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):60-77
60-77
Confessional Component of Urbanonymy in Lexicographic Interpretation
Abstract
This article addresses the issues of enhancing the lexicographic representation of confessionally marked urbanonyms. The objective of the study is to substantiate parametric models for dictionary entries that allow for a comprehensive presentation of the confessional component of urbanonymy in both culturalhistorical and functional aspects. The research material is drawn from the database of the Experimental Laboratory of Educational Lexicography at Pskov State University, which contains 3,000 urbanonyms, including more than 200 ecclesionims (official, colloquial, and slang), forming the core of the urbanonymconfessionalism dataset. Through structuralsemantic and contextual analysis, the study identifies the denotative correlations, lexical composition of these urbanonyms, and various types of their variations in contemporary speech. Historical-etymological analysis aids in uncovering the motivations behind nomination. The method of linguocultural interpretation is employed in developing the commentary section of the dictionary entry. Lexicographic construction techniques are utilized in creating an improved model for entries in a general alphabetical urbanonym dictionary and an innovative discourse-type entry for an urbanonym guide dictionary. Samples of dictionary entries with accompanying comments are presented.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):78-94
78-94
Role of Tourism in Preservation and Support of Minority Languages: Russian and Global Context
Abstract
This article explores the role of tourism in the preservation and support of minority languages in Russia, focusing on the Karelian, Tatar, and Buryat languages. The study is framed within the methodological scope of language commodification research, language landscape, and language economy. Fieldwork data from Tatarstan, Karelia, and Buryatia in 2021, 2022, and 2024, as well as findings from other researchers, form the basis of this investigation. The article highlights the uneven use of minority languages as a tool for ethnographic branding from region to region. The authors conclude that minority languages exist in the language landscape through the naming of various realities, from toponyms to gastronomic terms, serving ethnographic branding and symbolic functions by providing specific words and morphemes. Contrary to expectations, tourism does not contribute to an increase in the number of speakers of minority languages or their use in discourse, both in Russia and globally. However, the increased presence of these languages in public spaces, including for marketing purposes, indirectly enhances their prestige and aids in their normalization.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):95-113
95-113
Cultural and National Peculiarities of Russian and Chinese Proverbs with Component ‘Mouse’
Abstract
The study examines the cultural norms of Russian and Chinese cultures as represented in proverbs with the key component “mouse”. Thirty-three Russian and nine Chinese proverbs extracted from dictionaries are analyzed. The author describes the cultural stereotypes of Russians and Chinese regarding individuals, aspects of their lives, social roles, and life experiences embodied in proverbs featuring the component “mouse”. It is noted that only two socio-cultural representations of both nations in the studied expressions intersect: five Russian and one Chinese proverb metaphorically speak of a person’s cowardice when facing a strong opponent (usually symbolized by a cat) and the impossibility of resisting them. Russian proverbs are characterized as declarative, drawing on the life experience of socially insignificant individuals who find it difficult to resist the powerful. In contrast, Chinese proverbs reflect on life’s difficulties, also featuring an opposition between the “strong” and the “weak”. To compare cultural norms in Russian and Chinese proverbs with modern stereotypical beliefs of language speakers, an associative experiment was conducted. The author concludes that the associative series of modern language speakers is more pragmatic than the cultural norms reflected in proverbs.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):114-126
114-126
English Prepositions Expressing Temporal Limits: Semantic Features and Functioning
Abstract
This article explores the semantics and usage of prepositions in the English that denote temporal limits of actions. A review of various lexicographical sources, reference literature, and grammars is conducted, highlighting that not all sources provide comprehensive information on the meanings and functioning of prepositions, often offering only general information. Practical material for the study is extracted from the British National Corpus, comprising approximately two thousand contexts. It is established that making a definitive conclusion about including a temporal limit within the timeframe allocated for an action is not always possible. This semantic ambiguity is noted in around 20% of the total number of analyzed contexts. The study demonstrates that to resolve ambiguity and ensure successful communication, addressees often resort to using clarifying elements or complete / partial paraphrasing of the message text. Clarifications are found to be most typical in texts of a scientific research nature, schedules, legal and economic documents. The article concludes on the necessity of further research related to the semantics and usage of prepositions.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):127-144
127-144
MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS AND JOURNALISM
Russian School Journal in History of Educational Journalism of Russian Diaspora in 1920s and 1930s
Abstract
This article is dedicated to the analysis of the Russian School journal within the context of the development of émigré periodicals during the 1920s and 1930s. It presents the history and significance of the journal within the system of educational publications of the Russian diaspora. The study specifically investigates the role of Andrei Pavlov in the establishment and publication of the journal, particularly focusing on the financial support from various organizations in Subcarpathian Rus’. Utilizing archival sources, previously lesser-known facts from his biography are reconstructed. The mission of the journal, its structure, and thematic concerns are examined. It is emphasized that the editor perceived the primary objectives of the journal as combating the European spiritual crisis, discussing pressing issues in education and upbringing, providing methodological support for teachers and Russian schools in general, and objectively reporting on the state of Soviet education. Special attention is given to the authorship of the journal, which featured prominent representatives of émigré psychological and pedagogical science such as S. I. Hessen, V. V. Zenkovsky, G. Ya. Troshin, theorists and practitioners from the Czech school, as well as philosophers N. O. Lossky, I. I. Lapshin, and F. Pelikan. The conclusion drawn is that the Russian School journal continued the traditions of Russian pedagogical journals from the late 19th to early 20th centuries and served as a center for coordinating educational efforts among émigrés in the late 1930s.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):146-168
146-168
Construction of Expert Image in Genre of Editorial: Discursive Practices
Abstract
This research focuses on discursive practices employed to construct the expert image within the genre of editorial articles. The expert image aligns with the goals of this textual form. Initially, editorials served as a tool for expressing the publication’s voice and ensuring the status of an independent social institution. While this function has somewhat diminished today, editorials still play a significant role in shaping societal views and values, especially during pivotal political events. Therefore, it is crucial for authors of editorial articles to maintain authority and expert status. Research findings demonstrate that discursive practices such as referencing authoritative sources, highlighting the author’s achievements in discussing the issue at hand, presenting quantitative data, formulating predictions, and recommendations are utilized to shape the expert image in editorial articles. These practices are perceived by readers as elements of expert knowledge, yet they actually belong to distinct realms: expertise and counter-expertise. The author of the article differentiates between expertise, anti-expertise, and counterexpertise.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):169-185
169-185
Media Studies of Regulatory Value of Healthy Lifestyle in English Media: A Corpus-Based Approach
Abstract
This study presents the findings of a corpus analysis regarding the media studies of the concept of a healthy lifestyle as a paramount regulatory value in contemporary society. The empirical foundation of the research is based on the British segment of the News on Web (NOW) corpus. Semantic categorization and quantification of collocations reveal that in the media narratives of British outlets, the value of a healthy lifestyle is increasingly framed within psychological and mental dimensions, reflecting shifting societal perceptions of its content. An interpretative analysis of contexts capturing behavioral types indicates that excesses in healthy lifestyle practices are met with disapproval. Concerns and anxieties are linked to mental health domains and psychologically healthy relationships. A critical stance is observed towards the most manipulable area of healthy eating. It has been established that media narratives politicize healthy lifestyle practices, associating the challenges of their implementation with economic issues as well as the phenomenon of psychological fatigue. Thematic modeling of discursive practices demonstrates the predominance of mental health topics in quality press, alongside rational discursive strategies grounded in scientific research findings. In popular media, emphasis is placed on appearance as a result of a healthy lifestyle, with extensive use of emotional appeal strategies referencing well-known personalities as role models.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):186-208
186-208
Expression and Evolution of Public Opinion in Social Network VKontakte During COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract
This article analyzes comments on the social network VKontakte during the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of uncovering public opinion and sentiments. A discursive model of comments on official materials related to the pandemic was constructed using the qualitative data analysis software tool Nvivo12. The Natural Language Toolkit (NLTK) was employed for this purpose. As a result of a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of "hot spots" of discussion, it was found that during the pandemic, comments in the VKontakte group "StopCoronavirus.rf" addressed several thematic directions: "political measures for pandemic prevention," "protection of the civilian population from the pandemic," "medical prevention of virus spread," "the pandemic and people's livelihoods," "credibility of epidemiological data," "pandemic trends," and "spiritual support and encouragement." Among these, users expressed the greatest concern regarding subtopics related to people's behavior in preventing the virus's spread, the veracity of government-released data, the scale of testing, as well as the reliability of vaccines, online education, and stress caused by the pandemic. As the pandemic progressed, the frequency of discussions on specific topics fluctuated. Negative sentiments within society exhibited a tendency to rise, then decrease, and subsequently rise again, mirroring the overall trends of increasing and decreasing morbidity rates across Russia.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):209-228
209-228
LITERARY STUDIES. FOLKLORE
Representation of Concept MYTH in Austrian Literature (Works of Elias Canetti and Barbara Frischmuth)
Abstract
This article explores the works of Austrian writers Elias Canetti (1905—1994) including the novel “Auto-da-Fé” (“Die Blendung”, 1935) and the autobiographical book “The Tongue Set Free: Remembrance of a European Childhood” (“Die gerettete Zunge. Geschichte einer Jugend”, 1977), as well as Barbara Frischmuth (born 1941) with works such as “Queen of the Animals” (“Herrin der Tiere”, 1986), “Beyond Measure” (“Über die Verhältnisse”, 1987), and “Children to Each Other” (“Einander Kind”, 1990) within the context of 20th-century Austrian literature. The article identifies and analyzes mythological images present in these works, focusing on the concept of ‘personal myth’ (interpreted by Elias Canetti as ‘Privatmythos’). Through a genre-based analysis, the article delves into the artistic realization of the authors’ personal myths and the motives behind myth-making. It is established that the personal myth encompasses aspects of both the “mythical” and the “mythological”. The authors suggest a distinction between these terms, which have ambiguous interpretations. It is argued that Canetti viewed the ‘personal myth’ as an individual’s unique dream or fixation, representing their aspirations. Canetti’s autobiography allows for a synthesis of existing and constructed facts. In her “Demeter Trilogy”, Barbara Frischmuth constructs a comprehensive worldview where archaic mythology interacts with modernity, offering insights into contemporary cultural realities.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):230-249
230-249
Graphic Novel Adaptation as a Subgenre (Franco- and Anglophone Texts)
Abstract
The objective of this study is to define the graphic novel adaptation as a distinct subgenre of the graphic novel and to develop a cohesive methodology for its examination. The research material comprises Franco- and Anglophone graphic novel adaptations published since the early 2000s. It is noted that this subgenre has become one of the most popular forms of mass literature, characteristic of the twenty-first century as an era of visual culture. Based on a review of theoretical studies, the fundamental characteristics of graphic novel adaptations are articulated. An analysis of works from the past decade demonstrates the evolution of the subgenre under consideration. Specifically, it is observed that (1) the original narrative line is modified through the incorporation of themes and issues relevant to twenty-first-century individuals; (2) there is an increased complexity in character development, structure, and chronotope; (3) a philosophical dimension is foregrounded. It is shown that graphic novel adaptations can be categorized into two types based on target audience: mass (“low brow”) and intellectual (“high brow”). The “low brow” type primarily aims to popularize the reading of classic texts, while the “high brow” type represents an authorial interpretation of a well-known literary work. The intellectual form (“high brow”) has become increasingly prevalent since the 2010s.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):250-265
250-265
Artistic Peculiarities of Mikhail Volkov’s Collection “Tales of Antrop from Fox Hills”
Abstract
This article analyzes the Mikhail Volkov’s collection “Tales of Antrop from Fox Hills”, which was repeatedly republished in the late 1920s. It notes the characteristic trend of cyclicality in the first decade after the October Revolution: uniting novellas into books and collections. The study is based on the 1926 editions and the reprints of 1927, reflecting a change in the author’s concept: a semantic and thematic reorientation. The research aims to identify the artistic specificity of M. Volkov’s book, with tasks including understanding the functional role of the title and preface of the collection as parts of the header-final complex, characterizing the image of the fictional author-narrator, and exploring the genre features of the book. It is established, firstly, that while in the first edition, the narrator’s figure, his narrative style, and storytelling method were significant, in reprints, the narrated world becomes more important. Secondly, the fictional author-narrator, Grandpa Antrop, describes the humorous world of the village slowly changing and restructuring in the first post-revolutionary decade through a storytelling manner in a series of “tales.” Thirdly, in terms of genre, the novellas in the collection tend towards anecdote. It is shown that at the core of the paradoxically developing, comedic plot is the storyteller himself, presenting all stories as a life “fact” presented in a playful form.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):266-286
266-286
Domestic and Existential in Stories of Vasily Shukshin and Boris Yekimov
Abstract
The shared worldview of the so-called “village” writers often obscures the questions regarding their differing evaluations of social reality, interpretations of historical changes, and understandings of humanity’s place in the world. In this context, the task of comparative analysis of their similar artistic solutions appears both relevant and novel. This article examines the case of different scales of a seemingly analogous plot situation. The stories analyzed are Vasily Shukshin’s “The Boots” and Boris Yekimov’s “A Pair of Autumn Shoes”. It is demonstrated that the protagonists of Shukshin and Yekimov manifest themselves within narratives of varying existential intensity, addressing distinct challenges. Despite the apparent similarity in plots, their narrative differences are evident. Shukshin’s characters understand how life should be, yet often deviate from their ideals, fearing kindness; thus, in the writer’s world, the existential is frequently devalued. Vasily Shukshin, who captures the disintegration of the existential within the hero’s inner world, illustrates in “The Boots” that overcoming the mundane is an act of heroism and a personal triumph. Conversely, Boris Yekimov places fundamentally different emphases: within a superficially similar situation, he addresses a transpersonal challenge. The essence of the plot realized in “A Pair of Autumn Shoes” serves to remind readers of spiritual and communal values that may be lost amid everyday concerns.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):287-303
287-303
HISTORY
Rapacki Plan: Policy of Small States in Central and Eastern Europe in Second Half of 1950s
Abstract
This article addresses the role of small states in addressing security issues in Central Europe. Through an examination of the development of the Rapacki Plan, the authors trace the distinctive features of the national interests of small states in both Western and Eastern Europe. These interests were oriented towards the advancement of European integration, the resolution of the German question, and the mitigation of political and economic dependence on the USSR. Special attention is given to the Federal Republic of Germany’s (FRG) membership in NATO and the roles played by the United States, the United Kingdom, and other alliance members in attempts to address European security issues at the level of small states. Although the Rapacki Plan was never fully realized, its objectives were partially achieved. First, the arming of the FRG with American nuclear weapons and the deployment of American intermediate-range missiles on its territory were prevented; second, economic cooperation expanded, initiating the erosion of the “Iron Curtain”; third, a “universal idea of nuclear-free zones” emerged; and fourth, concrete steps were taken to prevent nuclear war.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):305-321
305-321
Images of Russian Pan-Slavists in German Empire of 1880s
Abstract
The analysis of Russia’s image in Germany at the end of the 19th century is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the relationship between the two countries. This article aims to reconstruct the image of Russian Pan-Slavism in Germany in the 1880s through the examination of four key figures (I. S. Aksakov, M. N. Katkov, N. P. Ignatyev, and M. D. Skobelev) and compare it with reality. The study draws upon a wide range of German and Russian sources, employing qualitative content analysis as the primary method. The findings indicate that German observers — state officials, party politicians, and publicists — generally accurately assessed the views of those Russian actors labeled as “leaders of PanSlavism.” However, they significantly exaggerated the anti-German orientation of these views and the influence of the “Pan-Slavists” on Russian internal and, primarily, external policy. The “leaders of Pan-Slavism” were attributed much greater influence on Russian politics and society than they actually possessed. Additionally, their thoughts and activities were portrayed as predominantly antiGerman. This situation can be attributed to a lack of information about political decisionmaking in Russia and a preconceived perception of Pan-Slavism primarily as a threat to Germany. Such perceptions contributed to the deterioration of Russian-German relations during the period under consideration.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):322-343
322-343
Ensuring Military-Political Security in USSR and FRG Dialogue (1987–1989)
Abstract
This article is dedicated to the examination of the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the USSR and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) to ensure military-political security during the period from 1987 to 1989. It explores the factors that contributed to changes in security policy. The analysis focuses on several under-researched aspects, including the strengthening of constructive forces within the federal government in 1987; the convergence of positions between the USSR and the FRG regarding disarmament and arms control; and the process of solidifying a positive trend in Soviet-West German political dialogue. Special attention is given to the role of the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP) in reorienting the governing coalition of the FRG from a policy of confrontation towards seeking compromises with the USSR in the realm of security. The evolution of Bonn’s official stance on the elimination of intermediate- and shorter-range missiles is also examined. It is demonstrated that, during 1988–1989, the course of the federal government became less dependent on the line of its key ally, the United States, thereby allowing for a consideration of the national interests of the FRG in addressing the issue of “nuclear rearmament”. The relevance of this study lies in its exploration of mechanisms through which the degradation of dialogue between the Russian Federation and Western collective countries in the sphere of security may be halted in contemporary times.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):344-364
344-364
European Union’s Withdrawal from Energy Charter Treaty: A Result of Climate Policy?
Abstract
This article analyzes the political and economic motivations behind the coordinated decision of the European Union and its member states to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) in March 2024. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the EU’s climate policy in this process. A comprehensive review of the thirty years since the treaty’s inception is presented, aiming to uncover its influence on the domestic political dynamics within EU member states. Through an examination of investment arbitration practices and official EU documents, it is concluded that, despite declarative statements, the climate agenda was merely an external and secondary factor, while the primary driver was a shift in the EU’s investment policy. The article illustrates that the treaty did not obstruct the achievement of the EU’s climate objectives; however, the investment protection mechanism in international arbitration proved incompatible with the principles of autonomy and primacy of EU law. Furthermore, the treaty indeed provided investors with avenues to seek compensation from EU member state governments for assets “blocked” as a result of climate policies. The abandonment of a proven international investments protection tool may negatively impact the foreign investment attractiveness of the EU’s green energy sector.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):365-387
365-387
New Figures in History of Decembrist Movement: Merchant-Conspirator A. P. Sapozhnikov
Abstract
This article discusses a lesser-known participant in the secret society and conspiracy of the Decembrists in St. Petersburg, merchant Alexander Petrovich Sapozhnikov (1788–1827). The relevance of this research lies in its engagement with a significant historiographical question regarding the maturation of opposition ideas to autocracy within the merchant class. The novelty of this work is defined by the unexplored relationships that connected A. P. Sapozhnikov with the Decembrists. The author has gathered scarce references from sources that illuminate the circumstances surrounding the entry of a merchant family member into the Decembrist union, his involvement in the conspiracy of 1825, and the “demarche” of his relative, Ya. I. Rostovtsev, related to the intentions of moderately inclined Decembrists to achieve limitations on autocracy through non-violent means. The evidence from the sources is compared, and the degree of their authority and reliability is assessed. An interpretation of the documentary data is conducted based on a critical analysis of their comprehensive content. The reasons for A. P. Sapozhnikov’s avoidance of punishment are reconstructed. Unique information is presented regarding the “freethinking” of the Sapozhnikov family, which influenced this representative’s alignment with the Decembrist movement. The findings suggest the emergence of like-minded individuals among the “elite layer” of merchants, while simultaneously revealing the efforts of Decembrist union members to extend their influence into the merchant class.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):388-408
388-408
Rationalistic Sects of Doukhobors and Molokans in Tobolsk Province in 19th — Early 20th Centuries: Distribution, Numerical Composition, and Religious Culture
Abstract
This article focuses on studying the peculiarities of the beliefs, religious cults of Doukhobors and Molokans, the specifics of community formation of these rationalistic sects, and the numerical composition of their religious followers in the territory of Tobolsk Province. Materials from the Tobolsk State Archive, the newspaper “Tobolskie Eparkhialnye Vedomosti,” as well as works of pre-revolutionary, Soviet, and contemporary researchers were utilized. Among the rationalistic sects, Doukhobors, Molokans, and Nemolyaks (sectarians who don’t pray) were identified as the main religious movements of sectarians in the studied territory. The article analyzes the formation of religious communities, the residential areas of sectarians of different denominations in Tobolsk Province, the peculiarities of their self-organization, and the functioning of sects. It is noted that people joined these sects seeking to understand the Bible and searching for a just social order, placing them in opposition to the official church and state. The social base of rationalistic sects consisted of peasants and townspeople (burgher class). Statistical analysis showed a slight increase in the number of sectarians in Tobolsk Province during the second half of the 19th century and a significant surge in the early 20th century. From 1855 to 1913, the number of sectarians increased from 182 individuals to 1473 individuals.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):409-434
409-434
Evacuation of Moscow Automobile Plant named after Stalin during Great Patriotic War: from Projects to Implementation
Abstract
This study examines the process of evacuating Soviet automotive industry enterprises during the Great Patriotic War using the example of the Moscow Automobile Plant named after I. V. Stalin. The relevance of the research is justified by the necessity to reconstruct the activities of the highest bodies of party-state management during the industrial evacuation. Archive documents of the Evacuation Council under the People’s Commissariat of the USSR were analyzed. The Council operated from June to December 1941 as a commission under the Soviet government and was responsible for evacuating enterprises and institutions. The sources of the study were documents of the State Defense Committee of the USSR, the highest body of party-state power in the country during the Great Patriotic War. Correspondence between the plant management and various institutions and departments, as well as evacuation reports, were used as research materials. The existing evacuation options for of the Moscow Automobile Plant named after I. V. Stalin, discussions among Soviet agencies on the location of the plant in rear areas of the country were examined. Based on statistical summaries and reports, the intensity of the evacuation process and its outcomes were studied. It is concluded that the evacuation of the Moscow Automobile Plant named after I. V. Stalin contributed to preserving the country’s industrial potential and had a long-term positive impact on the development of the Soviet automotive industry.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):435-455
435-455
Socio-Demographic Profile of Provincial Journalists in Late 1920s to Early 1930s (Orenburg Region)
Abstract
This article presents an attempt to construct a socio-demographic profile of journalists from the late 1920s to early 1930s within a provincial region. The source base consists of personal files from the nomenclature of the years 1935-1939 pertaining to the Orenburg region. Data derived from autobiographies and questionnaires served as the foundation for creating a database that enabled the analysis of their primary sociographic characteristics. The results of the comparative analysis allow for several conclusions that are applicable to other provincial areas of the RSFSR during the specified period. The author emphasizes that the work of journalists was primarily viewed as propagandistic, which is why staffing issues were resolved by assigning nomenclature personnel to editorial offices, as these individuals were ideologically vetted. The most suitable candidates were propagandists, often serving as secretaries of district committees. For similar reasons, editors were redirected to other tasks related to propaganda when necessary. It has been demonstrated that the level of education and training of personnel who joined regional newspapers in the second half of the 1930s was sufficiently adequate for fulfilling their official duties, namely, ensuring the timely publication of issues of regional newspapers containing centrally disseminated information.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):456-477
456-477
Reorganization of Population Placement System in Northwestern Siberia as a Reflection of Socio-Economic Policies of USSR in 1930s-1950s
Abstract
This study examines the changes in the population placement system within Northwestern Siberia during the 1930s-1950s. It provides an overview of the settlement network that formed the basis of population distribution in the region. Previously unpublished archival data on settlement typology, population size, resettlement to the north during industrialization and collectivization, and post-war periods are introduced into scholarly discourse. The dynamics of population size and distribution in national districts are discussed, along with an exploration of the ethnic composition of rural settlements’ inhabitants. The study notes a decrease in the proportion of indigenous peoples alongside an increase in the number of Belarusians, Ukrainians, and Germans in the ethnic composition of the population, largely due to mass forced migrations. It is concluded that compared to the 1920s, there was a reduction in the number of small settlements of nomadic peoples (yurts, reindeer camps) during the period under review. As a result of sedentarization efforts among the indigenous population of the region, a significant portion of their settlements became permanent and acquired town status. The typological structure of the settlement network changed: the number of “alien” type settlements decreased, giving rise to “special settlements,” an increase in towns, and rural nonagricultural settlements such as animal farms, forestry areas, and settlements near factories.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):478-497
478-497
Volunteer Partisan Movement in Rostov Region During Great Patriotic War
Abstract
This article examines the volunteer partisan movement in the Rostov region during the Great Patriotic War. It analyzes its content, as well as the general and specific regional characteristics. The sources for this study include both published and newly identified archival materials, some of which are introduced into scholarly discourse for the first time. The author substantiates the conclusion that the local steppe landscape and the lack of natural shelters had a profoundly negative impact on the scale and nature of the partisans’ military operations. It is established that partisan units, under local conditions, were small in number and could only conduct localized military operations. Many operated solely as reconnaissance and sabotage groups. The analysis conducted by the author leads to the conclusion that the primary tactical forms of combat employed by local partisans were swift and brief military raids and strikes, sabotage actions, as well as military incursions. The author identifies that one of the significant features of the partisan movement in the Rostov region was the Cossack factor. It is argued that the majority of Don Cossacks did not embark on a path of collaboration and actively participated in the partisan movement.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):498-514
498-514
Immigration Crisis in Palestine (1933–1936) as Reflected in Periodical Press of United States
Abstract
The image of Palestine during the years 1933 to 1936 was shaped in the periodical press of the United States under the influence of the “colonial discourse”. In the first half of the 1930s, the issue of Jewish immigrants became one of the central themes in the “Palestinian question”. The materials from the periodical press allow for an exploration of how perceptions regarding the causes of the crisis in the Middle East evolved within the informational discourse of the United States; how the representations of Arabs, Jews, and Great Britain underwent transformation. Publications from American newspapers provide insights into evaluations of British measures aimed at resolving the immigration crisis in Palestine during the 1930s. An analysis of U.S. newspapers reveals distinctive features in the construction of the images of the Jewish and Arab populations of Palestine. It identifies who was categorized as “the other”. The first half of the 1930s proved decisive for American public opinion in prioritizing positions within the context of the Middle Eastern conflict. The material presented in this article vividly illustrates the stages of evolving assessments of the situation in Palestine from 1933 to 1936. The study examines the manipulative techniques and strategies employed by American periodicals in the 1930s concerning Palestine, thereby providing a clearer understanding of how the issue of Jewish immigration was integrated into the broader narrative of Palestine within U.S. periodical literature.
Nauchnyi Dialog. 2024;13(6):515-531
515-531