Who invented the ABC of the Russian language? How did the Russian alphabet come about?

The role of writing in the development of the whole human society can not be overestimated. Even before the appearance of the familiar letters, the ancient people left various inscriptions on the stone and rocks. At first they were drawings, then they were replaced by hieroglyphics. Finally, there appeared a letter more convenient for conveying and understanding information, with the help of letters. After centuries and millennia, these signs-symbols helped restore the past of many peoples. A special role in this matter was played by literary monuments: various codes of laws and official documents, literary works and memoirs of outstanding people.

Today the knowledge of who invented the alphabet of the Russian language is an indicator of not only the intellectual development of man, but also determines his attitude to the country in which he was born and lives.

How it all began

In fact, the foundation for the creation of the alphabet was laid by the Phoenicians as early as the end of the 2nd millennium BC. E. They came up with consonant letters that they used for a long time. Later, their alphabet was borrowed and improved by the Greeks: vowels already appeared in it. It was around 8 century BC. E. Further the history of the Russian alphabet can be reflected in the scheme: Greek letter - Latin alphabet - Slavic Cyrillic alphabet. The latter served as the basis for writing in a number of related peoples.

Formation of the Old Russian State

From the 1st century AD the process of disintegration of the tribes began, inhabiting the territory of Eastern Europe and speaking the common Slavonic language. As a result, in the region of the middle Dnieper, Kiev Rus is formed, which later became the center of a large state. It was inhabited by a part of the Eastern Slavs, who in due course formed their own special way of life and customs. The history of how the Russian alphabet has appeared was further developed.

The growing and strengthening state established economic and cultural ties with other countries, primarily Western European ones. And for this, writing was needed, especially since the first Church Slavonic books began to be brought to Russia. At the same time there is a weakening of paganism and the spread throughout Europe of a new religion - Christianity. It was here that an acute need arose for the "invention" of the alphabet, thanks to which the new doctrine could be brought to all Slavs. It became the Cyrillic alphabet, created by the "brothers of the Solun".

Important mission of Constantine and Methodius

In the 9th century, the sons of the noble Greek Salt on behalf of the Byzantine emperor went to Moravia - at that time a powerful state, located within the boundaries of modern Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Their task was to acquaint the Slavs who inhabited Eastern Europe with the teachings of Christ and the ideas of Orthodoxy, and also to conduct worship services in the native language of the local population. The choice fell on two brothers is not accidental: they had good organizational skills, showed special diligence in their studies. In addition, both were fluent in Greek and Slavic languages. Constantine (shortly before his death, after his monastic vows, he was given a new name - Cyril, with whom he went down in history) and Methodius became the people who invented the ABC of the Russian language. This was, perhaps, the most significant result of their mission in 863.

The basis of the Cyrillic alphabet

When creating the alphabet for the Slavs, the brothers used the Greek alphabet. The letters that corresponded to pronunciation in the languages of these two peoples, they left unchanged. To designate the same sounds of the Slavic speech, absent from the Greeks, 19 new signs were invented. As a result, the new alphabet included 43 letters, many of which later became part of the alphabets of peoples who once spoke a common language.

But the story of who invented the Russian alphabet does not end there. During the 9-10 centuries Slavs had two types of alphabet distributed: the Cyrillic alphabet (it was mentioned above) and the Glagolitic alphabet. The second contained fewer letters - 38 or 39, their inscription was more complicated. In addition, the first signs were used additionally to designate numbers.

So did Cyril invent the alphabet?

For several centuries, researchers have found it difficult to give an unambiguous answer to this question. In "The Life of Cyril" it is noted that "with the help of his brother ... and disciples ... he composed the Slavic alphabet ...". If this is true, which of the two is the Cyrillic or Glagolitic? Is it his creation? The matter is complicated by the fact that the manuscripts executed by Cyril and Methodius have not survived, and in later (relating to 9-10 centuries) - none of these alphabets is mentioned.

To understand who invented the ABC of the Russian language, the scientists conducted a lot of research. In particular, they compared one and the other with the alphabets that existed before their appearance and analyzed the results in detail. To a common opinion they did not come, but most agree that Cyril most likely invented the Glagolitic, even before the trip to Moravia. This is supported by the fact that the number of letters in it was as close as possible to the phonetic composition of the Old Slavonic language (intended especially for writing). In addition, the Glagolitic alphabet in its inscription was more distinct from Greek and little resemblance to modern writing.

Cyrillic alphabet, which became the basis for the Russian alphabet (az + buki - this is the name of its first letters), could be created by one of the pupils of Constantine - Kliment Ohrytsky. He called her so in honor of the teacher.

The formation of the Russian alphabet

Regardless of who invented the Cyrillic alphabet, it was the basis for the creation of the Russian alphabet and the modern alphabet.

In 988, Ancient Rus adopted Christianity, which significantly influenced the fate of the language. From this time begins the formation of their own writing. Gradually the Old Russian language, the alphabet of which is based on Cyrillic, is being improved. It was a long process, which ended only after 1917. Then the last changes were made to the alphabet, which we are using today.

How the Cyrillic alphabet changed

Before the Russian alphabet acquired the kind that it has today, the alphabet-fundamental principle has undergone a number of changes. The most significant were the reforms in 1708-10 under Peter I and in 1917-18 after the revolution.

Initially, in Cyrillic, very similar to the Byzantine letter, there were a few extra, doublet, letters, for example, and = i, o = ѡ - they were most likely used to convey Bulgarian sounds. There were also various superscripts that indicated accentuation, aspirated pronunciation.

Before the reign of Peter I, the letters denoting the numbers were written in a special way - it was he who introduced the Arab account.

In the first reform (this was caused by the need to compile business papers: from the alphabet were removed 7 letters: ξ (ksi), Ѕ (zelo) and iotirovannye vowels, added Y and Y (they replaced the existing ones), ε (reverse) .This greatly simplified The alphabet, and he became known as "civil." In 1783, N. Karamzin added the letter E. Finally, after 1917, four more letters disappeared from the Russian alphabet, and b (ep) and b (er) only denoted the hardness and softness of the consonants .

Completely changed the name of the letters. Initially, each of them was a whole word, and the whole alphabet, according to many researchers, was filled with a special meaning. This manifested the mind and non-standard thinking of those who invented the alphabet. Russian language has preserved the memory of the first names of letters in proverbs and sayings. For example, "start with the basics" - that is, from the very beginning; "Fita yes izhitsa - to the lazy whip is nearing." They also occur in phraseological units: "to look with a verb".

Praise to the Great Saints

The creation of the Cyrillic alphabet became the greatest event for the entire Slavic world. The introduction of writing enabled the descendants to share their experience and tell the glorious history of the formation and development of independent states. It is no coincidence that they say: "If you want to know the truth, start with the alphabet."

Centuries pass, new discoveries are emerging. But those who invented the alphabet of the Russian language are remembered and honored. Proof of this is the holiday, the Day of Slavic Writing, which is celebrated every year on May 24 throughout the world.