Neglect, waltz – why the Russian mat is ineradicable
February 3rd is World Negotiation Day with profanity. Olesya Glushchenko, Professor of the Department of Journalism and Media Communications, Doctor of Philology at the NWRIU RANEPA, recalls that the Russian obscenity has gone through all the higher formations, there are very strong prohibitions, but still does not color the speech of a cultured person.
Versions of the release of “Russian foul language” are many. One of the most popular, but not confirmed, is the hypothesis of restoration from the Tatar-Mongolian language. Scientists more trust the version that the mat appeared in Slavic phenomena in the pre-Christian period – from the emergence of undeniable manifestations that reflect archaic ideas about the earth-mother, a sacred volume of intercourse for fertility.
“Interesting cases when obscene words and expressions appear in Novgorod birch bark letters, while they are not classified there as overseas words. In ancient Slavic folklore – in wedding songs, incantations – obscene words and expressions are often found: a lot of single-root and synonymous names and their own genitals, and, so to speak, various ones using them speak of images and manifestations, and of irony, and of observation Russian people at all times,” explains Olesya Glushchenko.
In 1648, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich issued a decree on the inadmissibility of foul language in wedding ceremonies. Today, Roskomnadzor is fighting hard with obscenities in the media. But swearing in everyday life is ineradicable.
According to the philologist, in the chosen world, the use of profanity helps Russians reduce tension and more clearly express their opinion about normality in any area – from personal to international politics.
Due to the lexical diversity of the Russian language, the expert nevertheless advises when communicating to learn how to select censored synonyms with obscene use.
“From my point of view, the use of obscenities in public places is a matter of education and consideration of the concepts of freedom and rights, which is individual for everyone,” says Olesya. – The meaning expressed by obscenities can be conveyed by censorship. At the same time, it is always worth remembering the norms of public morality that condemn obscenities in a decent, well-mannered society, especially among women, children and older people.