Moscow Linguistic Circle (Group of linguists and grammarians) Russian Formalism
Moscow Linguistic Circle
Group of linguists and grammarians
The Moscow Linguistic Circle (MLC) was a prominent group of linguists and scholars active in Moscow, Russia, during the early 20th century. The circle played a significant role in the development of linguistic theories and the establishment of structural linguistics as a major approach in linguistic studies.
Nikolai Trubetzkoy and Roman Jakobson
The Moscow Linguistic Circle was founded in 1915 by a group of linguists led by Nikolai Trubetzkoy and Roman Jakobson. Trubetzkoy and Jakobson, along with other members such as Sergey Karcevsky, Vyacheslav Ivanov, and Boris Eikhenbaum, formed the core of the circle. They aimed to promote the study of language as a structured system and focused on phonology, morphology, and syntax.
One of the key principles of the Moscow Linguistic Circle was the rejection of the diachronic approach to language study, which emphasizes historical development and change. Instead, the circle advocated for a synchronic approach, examining language as it exists at a particular point in time. This perspective influenced their structuralist framework, which emphasized the interrelation of linguistic elements within a system.
The MLC was known for its interdisciplinary approach, incorporating ideas from other fields such as psychology, anthropology, and semiotics. They believed that language should be studied in connection with other aspects of human culture and cognition, leading to fruitful collaborations with scholars from various disciplines.
The Moscow Linguistic Circle had a significant impact on the field of linguistics, particularly in the development of phonological theory. Nikolai Trubetzkoy’s work on phonology, known as the Prague School, greatly influenced the study of phonetics and phonology. Roman Jakobson, another prominent member of the circle, made significant contributions to the field of structural linguistics and semiotics, and his ideas continue to be influential today.
The MLC dissolved in the early 1920s due to political and ideological changes in the Soviet Union, but its members continued to have significant careers and influence in linguistics and related fields. The legacy of the Moscow Linguistic Circle can be seen in the broader development of structuralist and functionalist approaches in linguistics, as well as in the establishment of the Prague School as a major center of linguistic thought.
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