What is a language? Like any other, the Russian language in the modern world is a strict system of signs, with the help of which the conceptual content, typical spelling and pronunciation of words are fixed.
Russian is the most common representative of the East Slavic group, not only in the number of speakers, but also in the number of countries in which it is used for daily communication. Our language is recognized:
- the national language of the Russian people;
- the state language of the Russian Federation ;
- one of the main for communication in the countries of the former Soviet Union, Eurasia, Eastern Europe;
- one of the most popular for international communication;
- one of six workers at the UN;
- the most significant language in Europe, if we consider its number of speakers (despite the fact that most of the area of its distribution is geographically located in Asia);
- one of the most common Slavic languages;
- one of the most common Indo-European languages;
- the most translated in the world.
The Russian language in the modern world is a tremendous phenomenon. He is considered native over 200 million, of which 130 live on Russian territory. 50 million are native speakers, and most of these people use it as the first or second language in everyday communication. After Chinese and English (the most common in the world), half a billion people use the Russian language to varying degrees.
Any language operates throughout the history of the whole society.
What are the functions of the Russian language? The function of language is the manifestation of its essence. Linguists give this word two meanings. The first is the purpose and place of language in the world. The second is the role and purpose of language units.
The functions of the Russian language in the modern world are extensive. Some scientists believe that there are about 16, others emit 25. However, they all agree: the main, leading functions are:
• communicative
• cognitive,
• cumulative.
The Russian language in the modern world is used for communication between people, and this is one of its leading functions. Communication is the receipt of information, communication. Only with the help of language can one send and receive information, transmit and accumulate the experience of generations. In this regard, speech competence plays a very important role , i.e. ability to choose the right language tools in a particular situation, communication style, way of expressing one’s own thoughts.
Cognitive function involves the use of language as a universal way of knowing the world around us. The meaning of each lexical word is based on a specific concept, therefore, the results of cognition of the world are fixed in words. From this point of view, the modern Russian language, like the rest, is inextricably linked with human thinking. Thinking in a language materializes, with its help it is transmitted to other people in order to become their property.
A cumulative function is the ability of a language to collect, store, transmit information. This function helps to transfer and accumulate the experience of generations, serves as the only repository of human experience. A word can tell about a person, his place in the world, time, features of any sphere of life.
In addition to the three main functions, the Russian language in the modern world has many other social functions. With its help, thoughts are formed and expressed. Language helps to influence people.
Language and society are tightly, inextricably linked. The faster society develops, the richer the language becomes. With the advent of new means of production, branches of culture, new words appear, new ways of communication arise. Language is involved in the development of science, the expansion of production, the education of generations, education and all other spheres of life.
It should be remembered that the separation of the functions of the language into communicative, cognitive and cumulative has no clear boundaries. All of them are closely intertwined, because they are associated with thinking, communication.