The Russian Context:
   The Culture behind the Language

Edited by Eloise M. Boyle and Genevra Gerhart

First edition, 2002

ISBN:  089357287X   (pbk./CD ROM)
LC Control Number  2002002613
LC Classification  P35.5.R9 R87 2002
726 pages, approx. 1700 illustrations
$49.95 including CD     Click for Order Form

Slavica Publishers, Indiana University
2611 E. 10th St., Bloomington, Indiana 47408-2603 USA
Ordering information on www.slavica.com
Email: slavica@indiana.edu
Telephone toll-free: 1-877-752-8422

The Russian Context defines Russian culture by describing the limits of the common (high) culture as it is referred to in everyday language. By high culture we mean literature, art, science, history, and we also include proverbs, government, and geography. This is not, however, the history of historians, the science of scientists, or the art of art critics. It is the background of information one educated Russian expects of another when they speak. Its appearance in language is taken as the evidence of the culture.

Entirely in English, though the Russian also appears so as to show what is being discussed, and as an example of the discussion. All examples are translated, usually on the same page.

Extensive indexes in English and in Russian.

Foreword by Barry Scherr, Dartmouth College

Includes a CD-ROM with recordings of most sentence-length passages read in Russian by a native Russian speaker, with some 1700 additional illustrations, many in color, plus the lyrics and music of songs familiar to most Russians.

Click on: Table of Contents, Sample Passages, Comments from Readers, Interested Parties (or, Who wants to use The Russian Context ?), Heritage Speakers of Russian

Comments and questions may be addressed to: ggerhart@comcast.net or emboyle@u.washington.edu . We would especially appreciate additional suggestions for classroom use.

Copyright © 2002 by Genevra Gerhart and Eloise M. Boyle