University textbook on linguistics as a portrait of 20th century linguistics (to the 125th anniversary of A. A. Reformatsky)

Abstract

The article examines the structure and content of the university textbook on linguistics by A. A. Reformatsky, analyzes the scientific and methodological principles of building a classical textbook that has shaped the scientific worldview of several generations of philologists. The discussion of the structure and thematic content of a classical textbook is especially important in the context of creating new textbooks and curriculum during the restructuring of the language component of higher and secondary education. This paper examines the structure of the textbook, the topics presented, the content of chapters and individual sections, and the principle of selecting illustrative examples from various languages of the world. The "framework" structure of the textbook is discussed, according to which the introductory and final paragraphs are devoted to general topics, namely, the representation of the structure and functioning of language in society, the description of the historical development of the language, while the central place is given to sections of linguistics exploring the levels of the language system: lexicology, phonetics and phonology, grammar (morphology and syntax), typological classifications of language, etc. The analysis of the choice of topics in the course on introduction to linguistics and the selection of linguistic facts demonstrate a highly structured presentation and balanced material presented in the textbook. The thoughtful composition of the textbook, the illustrative material and the bright, lively author’s style contributed to the fact that the textbook on linguistics by A. A. Reformatsky still remains a classic, exemplary university textbook.