A new explanatory dictionary of the state Russian language has appeared in Russia, which has become mandatory in official circulation. The Russian Orthodox Church was involved in its creation, and the definitions of some words have been rewritten to fit political circumstances. In particular, changes affected obscene language.
The new dictionary has expanded the list of roots, according to which words are considered non-normative. Thus, they now number fourteen, significantly more than the previous four. New roots have been added to the list, which are prohibited for use in areas where the use of the state language is mandatory.
“Authoritarianism” is now described as “the most effective form of government in difficult times,” “enemy” as “one who is recognized as hostile to the people, the authorities, and the state,” and “homosexuality” as “a kind of sexual deviation.”
In the description of the word “life,” the authors of the dictionary stated that it is a “traditional Russian spiritual and moral value” and emphasized that a person's life begins at the moment of conception. This thesis is often used by opponents of abortion.
It should be noted that Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeev used “Russian-speaking Kiev residents” to justify the war supported by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
The new dictionary of the Russian language has been introduced into official circulation in Russia. It is not just a linguistic collection, but a tool for political influence and control over society, which can impact citizens' consciousness and shape their beliefs through conditionally correct verbal reproduction of reality.