The Lingering Echo of the French Language in Russia
A Historical Affair: France and Russia in the 19th Century
The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) not only shaped Europe politically but also left linguistic imprints that still persist in Russia today. Before and after Napoleon’s failed invasion of Russia in 1812, French was widely spoken among Russian aristocrats and intellectuals. This deep influence originated in the 18th century when French was the language of diplomacy, high society, and culture. Peter the Great and Catherine the Great actively encouraged the adoption of Western European customs, including the French language, which was regarded as the epitome of refinement.
Why Did Russian Nobility Embrace French?
During the 18th and early 19th centuries, French was the language of the Russian court, literature, and intellectual discourse. Several factors contributed to this:
- Education and literature: Many Russian nobles were educated by French tutors, and reading French literature was considered a sign of sophistication.
- Diplomatic prestige: France was a leading European power, and speaking French was essential for conducting diplomacy.
- Social status: Speaking French was a mark of aristocracy and distinguished the upper class from the common people.
Even after the Napoleonic Wars, when France and Russia became adversaries, the linguistic impact remained. Many French words entered the Russian lexicon, often with slight modifications to fit the phonetic and grammatical structure of the Russian language.
French Words That Still Exist in Russian
Concrete Examples of Borrowed Words
One of the most prominent examples of a French word that has survived in Russian since the Napoleonic era is “parikmakher” (парикмахер), meaning “hairdresser.” This word comes from the French “perruquier” (wig-maker). The use of wigs was fashionable in France, and the concept of a professional hairdresser was associated with French expertise. Over time, the Russian pronunciation and spelling adapted to create a distinct yet recognizable version of the original French term.
Other examples include:
- “plafon” (плафон): Derived from the French “plafond,” meaning “ceiling” or “lampshade.”
- “batalion” (батальон): Borrowed from “bataillon,” referring to a military battalion.
- “sharm” (шарм): A direct borrowing from “charme,” meaning “charm” or “elegance.”
- “menu” (меню): Adopted directly from French to refer to a restaurant menu.
These words have been so ingrained in the Russian language that many speakers do not realize their French origins.
French Words in Russian Military Terminology
Due to Napoleon’s campaigns, many French military terms entered the Russian language. The Russian army adopted words such as:
- “ekerser” (экзерцировать): From “exercer,” meaning “to drill” or “to train.”
- “shinel” (шинель): From “chenille,” referring to a heavy military coat worn by soldiers.
- “karabin” (карабин): From “carabine,” meaning “carbine,” a type of firearm.
These terms became deeply embedded in Russian military vocabulary and continue to be used today.
The Influence of French on Russian Culture
French in Russian Literature
Many Russian authors of the 19th century incorporated French into their works, reflecting the linguistic habits of their time. Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace is a notable example, featuring entire dialogues in French to depict the aristocratic class accurately. Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Pushkin, and Ivan Turgenev also referenced the widespread use of French among the Russian elite.
French Words in Modern Russian
Although Russian underwent significant linguistic changes during the Soviet era, many French loanwords survived. Today, words like “azhurny” (ажурный, from “ajouré,” meaning “lace-like” or “intricate”) and “etazh” (этаж, from “étage,” meaning “floor” or “story”) remain part of everyday speech. The prestige associated with the French language may have diminished, but its legacy is still visible in the vocabulary of contemporary Russian speakers.
The Lasting Bond Between Russian and French
The Napoleonic Wars did not just leave their mark on European geopolitics; they also influenced the linguistic landscape of Russia. French words that entered Russian in the 18th and 19th centuries have persisted, demonstrating the enduring cultural exchanges between these two nations. Whether found in military terminology, everyday vocabulary, or literature, the traces of French influence continue to be a fascinating aspect of the Russian language today.
