Dear colleagues, parents, and students!
In the context of globalization and the rapid development of information technologies, the Russian language—like many other languages of the world—is subject to significant influence from English. This influence manifests primarily in the mass borrowing of vocabulary—Anglicisms—especially in the field of information technology (IT). This process represents not only a linguistic phenomenon but also a cultural and social issue, particularly relevant for the Russian-speaking diaspora in English-speaking countries such as the United States of America. In the context of preserving the Russian language and cultural heritage in an immigrant environment, where children are immersed daily in an English-language setting, the role of institutions like our Russian Orthodox School in Los Angeles takes on special significance.
The Russian Orthodox School at the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral (russianorthodoxschool.com) is the first and only Russian school in Los Angeles and, according to some sources, in California. Founded on the principles of Orthodox Christianity, it combines the study of the Russian language, literature, grammar, and culture with biblical lessons and musical education in Russian. The school offers a rich Russian language program for all levels, including deep immersion in Russian literature and poetry, as well as weekly Russian-language singing lessons with mini-concerts. Upon completion of the full course of study, students receive a certificate from the UCLA Center for World Languages. In the English-speaking environment of Los Angeles, such a school plays a key role in preserving Russian linguistic and cultural heritage, counteracting the natural shift toward English as the dominant language in the daily lives of children in the diaspora.
Historical Context of Borrowings from English
Borrowings from English into the Russian lexicon began as early as the 18th–19th centuries but remained limited, mainly to the fields of sports, maritime affairs, and everyday life. A significant influx of Anglicisms occurred in the 1990s in connection with socio-economic transformations in Russia, the opening of borders, and the development of international contacts. From this period on, borrowings became widespread, especially in professional spheres: business (marketing, dealer, offshore), mass media, and above all, information technologies.
Globalization and the dominance of English on the internet, in programming, and in scientific literature have intensified this process. According to linguistic research, English serves as the basis for most programming languages, making borrowings inevitable. In Russian, Anglicisms often fill lexical gaps—concepts that did not previously exist—or replace existing words to add prestige and a sense of modernity.
Mass Borrowing in the IT Sphere: Causes and Mechanisms
The field of information technology is one of the most striking examples of the Anglicization of the Russian language. Virtually all computer terminology is borrowed from English, since the IT revolution occurred primarily in the United States. The main reasons include:
- Lack of equivalents: Many concepts had no analogues in Russian before the emergence of these technologies (for example, “internet,” “computer”).
- International nature of IT: Program code, documentation, and professional communication are often in English, which promotes direct borrowing.
- Prestige and brevity: Anglicisms are perceived as modern and concise, replacing descriptive Russian constructions.
Examples of mass borrowings in IT:
- Basic terms: computer (computer), internet (internet), browser (browser), server (server), file (file), display (display), printer (printer).
- Programming and development: code (code), bug (error), fixit / to fix (to correct), task (task), submit (to submit), approve (to approve).
- Professions and roles: developer (developer), tester (tester), HR (human resources), product manager (product manager).
- Slang and everyday use: to google, to like, to share, update.
In the professional speech of IT specialists, Anglicisms dominate: phrases such as “to mess up a task” or “to fix bugs” have become the norm.
Adaptation of Anglicisms in the Russian Language
Borrowed words do not remain unchanged; they undergo phonetic, grammatical, morphological, and semantic adaptation.
- Phonetic adaptation: English sounds are rendered through Russian equivalents (for example, “th” as “s” in soft from software; diphthongs as “au” in soundtrack).
- Grammatical adaptation: Words receive Russian endings and decline (file—of the file, browser—of the browser).
- Morphological adaptation: New words are formed using Russian prefixes and suffixes: to google, to google up; to post, to speed up.
- Semantic adaptation: Meanings sometimes shift or narrow (for example, abuse meaning emotional abuse).
The degree of assimilation varies: fully assimilated words (such as internet) are perceived as native, while partially assimilated ones remain foreignisms (OK).
Positive and Negative Aspects of the Influence
Positive:
- Enrichment of the language with new terms for new concepts.
- Simplification of international communication: IT specialists speak a “common” language.
- Dynamism: the language evolves, reflecting global changes.
Negative:
- Threat to linguistic purity: excessive use of Anglicisms may displace Russian equivalents.
- Comprehension problems: for older generations or non-IT specialists, such speech becomes difficult to understand.
- In the diaspora: accelerated assimilation of children and loss of the native language.
The Role of Russian Schools in the Diaspora in Preserving the Language
In the United States, where the Russian-speaking diaspora is significant but the environment is English-speaking, preserving the Russian language is a challenge. Children of immigrants often switch to English as their primary language. Russian schools—especially those affiliated with Orthodox parishes, like ours in Los Angeles—become strongholds of preservation.
Our school integrates Orthodox values (love, mercy, humility) with intensive study of Russian: grammar, literature, poetry, and music in Russian. This is not only education but also cultural immersion that counters Anglicisms and language shift. Similar schools in the United States (Sunday schools at churches, charter schools) help children maintain bilingualism.
Conclusion
The influence of technology and Anglicisms is an inevitable process of globalization that enriches the Russian language but requires a conscious approach to preserving its purity and identity. In the IT sphere, borrowings dominate, adapting and becoming part of everyday speech. However, in the diaspora, as in Los Angeles, institutions like the Russian Orthodox School play a vital role in maintaining balance: they raise generations who are fully proficient in Russian, with a deep understanding of culture and faith.
I urge parents and students to take an active part in preserving the language—through reading the classics, communicating in Russian, and attending our school. Only in this way can we pass on the richness of the Russian word to future generations.
Thank you for your attention! Any questions?