Unlike the Ukrainian language (in which most of the words sound and spell), the so-called dumb letters are often found in Russian. Being unpronounceable, they nevertheless create confusion, since in writing their omission is a mistake. Let's look at the spelling of one of these words. So, stairs or stairs: how to write correctly?
What is the lexical meaning of this noun
A ladder is a special device designed for vertical ties. In other words, with the help of stairs, you can climb (descend) to a higher (lower) place along the steps or along the crossbars.
Such devices can be portable (such as folding garden steps or specialized ladders on fire engines, ships and helicopters). They are also part of the building (like stairs in the staircase between floors).
As for the materials from which these devices are made, they can be different. The main requirement is strength and stability. Homemade stepladders are made of wood or metals. Helicopter ladders and ship ladders are made of ropes or cables with metal or wooden crossbars.
If this fixture is part of a building, it is usually made of cement and bricks, sometimes wood or metal.
Etymology of the word
Before dealing with spelling (stairs or stairs), it is worth paying attention to the origin of the studied noun.
And paradoxically, it is not exactly known. There are two theories.
- According to the first, the word "ladder" came from the verb "climb", which in the Old Slavonic language looked like this: "flattering." By the way, if you stick to this version, it becomes clear where this problematic “t” came from and why spelling (stairs or stairs) raises so many questions.
- Proponents of the second theory believe that the "progenitor" of the noun in question is the Old Slavonic word "ladder." However, how it relates to the meaning of the term “staircase” is still not known. In favor of this version is the fact that in the Belarusian language related to the Russian language, the name in question looks very similar - “lesvitsa”. It is worth noting that in most other Slavic languages, completely different words are used to designate this concept: Ukrainian - “descend”, Polish - schody, Slovenian - stopnišče, Czech - schodiště, Bulgarian “cemetery”, etc.
In addition to disputes about etymology, scientists cannot come to the same opinion on the issue of dividing this noun into components. So Ariadna Ivanovna Kuznetsova and Tatyana Fedorovna Efremova believe that the root is “forest”, and “t” and “prostrate” are suffixes. But Andrei Anatolyevich Zaliznyak is of the opinion that the letter “t” is at the root of “flattery”, and the suffix of the term is only one - “prostrate”.
The most famous stairs
Before considering the question: "How to write: a ladder or staircase?" - It is worth learning a little about the history of this device, as well as about the most famous specimens in the world.
Similar designs appeared in the world more than 7000 years ago. Almost every ancient civilization has a mention of the use of stairs. They were among the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans, and even among the Mayan tribe. Not a single castle of medieval Europe could normally exist without them. Moreover, they carried not only practical value, but also were an adornment of the home. And today, the tradition of decorating built-in stairs remains very relevant.
As for folding types of this device, thanks to the invention of modern materials, they have become lighter and stronger than in past centuries.
As for the most famous specimens in the history of mankind, first of all it is worth mentioning the legendary ladder of Jacob described in the Book of Genesis. By the way, it is also mentioned in the Qur'an.
As for those existing today, the wooden Immovable Staircase in Jerusalem has special symbolism. It is a symbol of the agreement of 6 Christian denominations on the joint ownership of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City in Jerusalem.
Another world famous instance is the Spanish Steps, located in Rome. It was built in the middle of the XVIII century. and still remains one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Europe. On its steps, photoshoots of famous glossy magazines are often arranged, as well as films and videos are shot.
Well, and, of course, one cannot fail to mention the Potemkin Stairs in Odessa, leading residents of the city and tourists to the sea. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, it has survived to this day almost unchanged. By the way, “Potemkinskaya” she began to be called only almost 100 years after construction. In 1925, a film by Sergey Eisenstein - “Battleship“ Potemkin “” was shot on it, and the construction got its name in honor of this event.
Correctly as it is spelled: "ladder" or "ladder"
Having considered the lexical meaning, history and etymology of the noun "ladder", it is time to deal with the grammar of this word.
So, a staircase or stairs - that is the question!
The answer is simple: this noun is written through the letter "t", and absolutely always, without exception. In the same way as the "sun" is written with the "dumb" letter "l".
Is it possible to choose a test word for the word "staircase"
As a rule, for most terms whose spelling is in doubt, you can pick up a check word. With its help it turns out to determine exactly whether in this case there is some kind of "dumb" letter.
So, is it possible to choose a test word for the word "staircase"? No. The fact is that the term in question refers to nouns whose spelling you just need to remember, because it can not be checked. Such names are called "vocabulary words."
Ladder and stairs: why their writing is different
Having figured out how to write correctly: a ladder or staircase, you can pay attention to the consideration of such a close term in meaning to it as a "ladder". Unlike all other similar root names, it does not contain the “dumb” letter “t”.
Why did it happen? It is not known. Probably, the “disappearance” of “t” in the word “ladder” was influenced by some linguistic processes about which modern scientists have no information. Perhaps this spelling was the result of an ingrained error. In any case, the “ladder” and “ladder” are nouns, the spelling of which you just need to learn by heart.
Having considered the question: "How to write: a ladder or a ladder?", We can conclude that not every problem name with "dumb" consonants has a test word.