Pre-reform Orthography of the Russian Language

Introduction

The "old orthography" (старая орѳографія) refers to the system of Russian spelling used from the introduction of the civil script under Peter the Great in the early 18th century until the spelling reform of 1917-1918. This orthographic tradition was based largely on etymological principles rather than phonetic ones, preserving historical spellings that reflected the language's evolution from Old Church Slavonic.

Key Features of Pre-Reform Russian Orthography

The old Russian orthography was characterized by several distinctive features that set it apart from the modern system:

• Additional letters that were later eliminated
• Strict etymological principles in spelling
• Mandatory hard sign (ъ) at the end of words ending in consonants
• Different rules for using the letter "и" after certain prefixes
• Distinct grammatical endings for certain cases

Letters Eliminated in the 1917-1918 Reform

The reform eliminated several letters from the Russian alphabet:

Letter	Name	Pronunciation	Modern Equivalent
Ѣ (ѣ)	Yat	Similar to 'е'	Е (е)
І (і)	Decimal i	Same as 'и'	И (и)
Ѳ (ѳ)	Fita	'ф'	Ф (ф)
Ѵ (ѵ)	Izhitsa	'и' or 'в'	И (и) or В (в)

Additionally, the hard sign (ъ) was no longer required at the end of words ending in consonants, significantly reducing the length of many texts.

Spelling Rules in Old Orthography

Several important spelling conventions differentiated the old orthography:

1. Use of Yat (Ѣ): The letter ѣ was used in specific etymological positions, such as in words like "хлѣбъ" (bread) and "вѣра" (faith).

2. Decimal I (І): Used before vowels and in the word "міръ" (world/peace), while и was used elsewhere.

3. Final Hard Sign: All words ending in consonants required a hard sign: "домъ" instead of "дом" (house).

4. Prefix Spelling: Prefixes ending in 'з' kept their form before certain consonants rather than assimilating as in modern Russian (e.g., "возпитаніе" vs. modern "воспитание").

5. Adjectival Endings: Genitive singular masculine and neuter adjectives ended in "-аго/-яго" rather than modern "-ого/-его" (e.g., "новаго" vs. "нового").

Examples Comparing Old and New Orthography

Example 1: A simple sentence

Old: Человѣкъ съѣлъ хлѣбъ въ домѣ.
New: Человек съел хлеб в доме.
(A person ate bread in the house.)

Example 2: From Pushkin

Old: Я помню чудное мгновенье:
Передо мной явилась ты,
Какъ мимолетное видѣнье,
Какъ геній чистой красоты.

New: Я помню чудное мгновенье:
Передо мной явилась ты,
Как мимолетное виденье,
Как гений чистой красоты.

The 1917-1918 Reform

The orthographic reform was initially proposed before the 1917 Revolution but was implemented by the new Bolshevik government in 1918. The reform aimed to:

• Simplify literacy education
• Reduce printing costs (elimination of the final hard sign alone saved significant space)
• Modernize the written language
• Break with pre-revolutionary traditions

The decree "On the Introduction of New Orthography" was signed on December 23, 1917, and officially implemented in 1918, though some publications had already adopted simplified spelling earlier.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The reform of Russian orthography had profound implications:

• Educational Impact: Simplified spelling made literacy acquisition easier
• Political Symbolism: The reform became associated with the revolutionary transformation of Russian society
• Cultural Divide: Created a visible distinction between pre-revolutionary and Soviet texts
• Émigré Identity: Russian émigré communities often continued using the old orthography as a statement of cultural continuity and political opposition to the Soviet regime

Modern Interest and Usage

Today, the old orthography maintains relevance in several contexts:

• Academic Research: Philologists and historians working with pre-revolutionary texts
• Religious Publications: Some Orthodox Church publications use elements of the old orthography
• Historical Authenticity: Films, art, and literature depicting pre-revolutionary Russia
• Specialized Publications: Some émigré and traditionalist publications

Some Russian cultural conservatives and monarchists have advocated for a return to elements of the old orthography, seeing it as part of Russia's historical heritage, though such proposals have not gained mainstream support.

Conclusion

The old Russian orthography represents more than just a different spelling system—it embodies a distinct cultural and historical period of Russian civilization. While the modern simplified orthography has proven practical and enduring, the old system continues to be studied and appreciated for its historical significance and connection to Russia's literary and cultural heritage.

The transition from old to new orthography marks one of the most significant linguistic reforms in Russian history, representing not just a change in spelling but a broader societal transformation at a pivotal historical moment.