At all times, people needed to explain and understand each other. And this is especially important if they speak different languages, even if related. And then we get a kind of mixture that incorporates the features of both dialects.
Occurrence
What is surzhik? Linguists do not have a clear opinion on this matter. This phenomenon has not yet been sufficiently studied, although it has been observed for a very long time, and now it has a place to be. Usually, this term is understood as a mixture of Ukrainian and Russian languages, but sometimes a surzhik is called a contact system between any two dialects. Surzhik is not considered an independent language, it is even closer to jargon, although it is quite developed.
The original meaning of this word had no relation to linguistics - the so-called bread or flour made from several types of grain.
The reasons for the occurrence of this phenomenon are quite simple: for several centuries, the Ukrainian language was in every way oppressed, it was said that this was just an adverb of Russian. For some time there was even a ban on printing books in Ukrainian, the development of the language became impossible. It is not surprising that under such conditions the formation of a more or less simple option began, combining the features of both languages.
Probably, Ukrainian surzhik had several sources. Firstly, this is communication in mixed families, and secondly, a rural version, replete with Russianisms, and, of course, the need to understand each other and explain to people who initially speak different languages. So the process of interpenetration is quite logical.
Features
What is surzhik from the point of view of linguistics? What structure does it have? There are no definite answers to all these questions yet. The status is also unclear. Someone believes that it can be considered nothing more than slang, just a conversational style. Some argue that its essence is more complicated than the simple pollution of the Ukrainian language with Russian words. There are even opinions that it develops into an independent language branch, and is not a colloquial or illiterate version of the recipient language. Thus, the question of what surzhik is still open.
In this case, the grammar rules remain unchanged. The vocabulary is filled with Russianisms - in the classical sense, this is surzhik. The words as a result are understood by the carriers of both dialects, that is, a more or less normal contact is possible. Surzhik has no official status. Modern linguists of Ukraine, he is considered simply as a spoiled version of the literary language.
Disputes about what surzhik is, how to perceive it, subside for a short time, but then flare up again.
Modern distribution
Having appeared in the 19th century, it still exists. Actually, the "classic" surzhik is now used by about one fifth of the Ukrainian population - up to 18% of citizens speak it. It is most common, of course, on the border with the Russian Federation - that is, in the north-eastern part of the country. In neighboring regions already owned by the Russian Federation (Voronezh and Belgorod), it is also used, however, has a slightly different shape. Residents of these places claim to speak the Ukrainian language, although in essence it is Russian with borrowings.
There are cases of using this phenomenon to create a comic effect in both oral and written speech. There is also a language branch on the border with Poland, it is also called surzhik.
Examples of using
As already mentioned, the main feature of surzhik is the preservation of the general principles of Ukrainian grammar and spelling when borrowing Russian words. The result is an extremely interesting mixture.
| Surzhik | Literary Ukrainian |
|
First, second, third |
Pershiy, other, third |
|
How are you doing? |
How old are you? |
|
Yak dila? |
How can you help? |
| Yak have to | Yak to finish |
Despite the unclear status and future prospects, today surzhik is an extremely interesting linguistic phenomenon that causes so much controversy precisely because it can be perceived in completely different ways. In any case, this is a certain stage in the development of the language.
Who knows, perhaps in the future he will be completely separated. Perhaps the desire of Ukrainians for self-identification will lead to a complete return of literary norm.
