HISTORICAL CHANGES IN RUSSIAN ORTHOGRAPHY

Abstract

This paper explores the historical evolution of Russian orthography, tracing its development from early Cyrillic script to the modern standardized spelling system. It examines key reforms and influences, including the significant orthographic reforms of the early 18th and 20th centuries, which aimed to simplify and modernize Russian writing. The study highlights how changes in political, cultural, and linguistic contexts shaped the orthographic rules and practices. Understanding these historical shifts provides insight into the relationship between language standardization and social change, as well as the challenges faced in balancing tradition with linguistic modernization.