FORMATION DEVELOPMENT OF THE RUSSIAN LITERARY LANGUAGE: A DIACHRONIC APPROACH

Abstract

The article examines the historical formation of the Russian literary language, 
tracing its development from the Old Russian period of the 11th century to the present day. The 
research focuses on the key stages of language codification and standardization, as well as the adaptation of linguistic norms to changing historical and social conditions. The author analyzes the influence of Old Church Slavonic on the formation of written 
tradition, which laid the foundation for the future literary language. The period of Peter the Great’s 
reforms is explored in detail, highlighting the introduction of foreign terms and the creation of new terminologies, which contributed to the development of scientific, technical, and administrative 
vocabulary. Particular attention is given to the 19th and 20th centuries, when literary norms were 
actively shaped by writers, scholars, and public figures. The pivotal role of Alexander Pushkin in 
establishing the modern Russian literary language is emphasized, along with the impact of ideological and social changes during the Soviet era that led to language unification and 
standardization. The research underscores the importance of the Russian language as a vital component of cultural heritage, capable of preserving national identity and ensuring the continuity 
of traditions. This article will be useful for philologists, language historians, educators, and anyone 
interested in the history and development mechanisms of the Russian language.