Early Stages (Old East Slavic, 9th-14th centuries):
* Origins in Old Church Slavonic: The language evolved from Old East Slavic, a common ancestor of Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian. It was heavily influenced by Old Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
* Development of a Literary Language: The first written texts appeared in the 11th century. The language evolved rapidly, with the development of grammar and vocabulary.
* Regional Dialects: Due to the vast territory of Russia, regional dialects emerged, giving rise to variations in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
Middle Period (15th-18th centuries):
* Influence of the Moscow Period: The rise of Moscow as the center of power led to the adoption of its dialect as the standard language.
* Literary Developments: The 18th century saw a flourishing of literature, with writers like Mikhail Lomonosov introducing reforms to standardize the language.
* Borrowing from other Languages: The language borrowed words from other languages, including Latin, Greek, and French, due to cultural and political influences.
Modern Russian (19th-21st centuries):
* Standardization and Codification: The 19th century witnessed the formal standardization of the language, with the establishment of dictionaries and grammar rules.
* Development of Literary Genres: The development of new literary genres, such as realism and symbolism, led to further refinements in language and style.
* Influence of Soviet Era: The Soviet period saw the introduction of new vocabulary and concepts related to socialism and communism.
* Modern Influences: The 21st century has seen the impact of globalization and the internet, with the introduction of new words and expressions.
Key Changes in Language Features:
* Pronunciation: Some sounds have changed over time, including the pronunciation of vowels and consonants.
* Grammar: The grammar has evolved with changes in verb conjugation, noun declension, and sentence structure.
* Vocabulary: The vocabulary has expanded significantly, with new words being introduced from other languages and through technical advancements.
Other Notable Changes:
* The Emergence of Regional Dialects: Despite standardization, regional dialects continue to exist, especially in rural areas.
* The Impact of Technology: The rise of the internet and social media has led to new forms of communication and language use, such as online slang and emojis.
The Russian Language Today:
The Russian language remains a rich and dynamic language, constantly evolving to reflect the changing world around it. Its history is a fascinating journey that showcases the influence of culture, politics, and social change on language development.