President Putin Signs Russian Language Provisions, Limits The Use Of Foreign Words

President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Maxim Blinkov/RIA Novosti via Kremlin)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law aimed at encouraging compliance with Russian literary and language rules, limiting the use of foreign words, according to a copy of the law published on Tuesday.

The law stipulates that, if Russian is used as a national language, contemporary Russian literary norms must be followed, such as the rules recorded in the dictionary, reference books, and grammar books, citing TASS March 1.

Later, a government commission will draw up procedures to compile and ratify the dictionary list, issue requirements for compiling and frequency of dictionary issuance, which will then be approved by the cabinet.

Previously, using words and phrases that were not in accordance with contemporary Russian literary norms, including dirty words, was a violation of the law.

Exceptions will be made, as before, for foreign words that do not have word densities in Russian. This list of words will be published in a dictionary and reference book.

Citing Reuters, with the latest rules, Russian government officials will be barred from using most foreign words while carrying out their duties, according to the laws that have been amended.

Since launching an invasion of Ukraine a year ago, President Putin has said he wants to protect Russia from what the West is accused of trying to destroy the country.

The 2005 law amendments are designed to protect and support Russian language status, according to text posted on government websites.

However, the amendment did not mention any penalties for those who do not comply with the laws that have been renewed.