MOSCOW, March 6, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data of a study devoted to the purity of the Russian language.

For the time being, two thirds of Russians (36%) use professional slang in their daily life, and this share has increased considerably since 2008 (from 23%). A quarter of respondents (23%) use Internet and social media slang every day; however, in 2008 only 4% said so.

Proverbs and catchphrases (21% vs 13% in 2008), as well as quotes from books, movies and songs have become more common (18% vs 11% in 2008). Much more Russians use loan words (an increase from 10% to 19%). Forty percent of Russians speak local (regional) dialects (vs 31% in 2008).

On the contrary, strong words have become less common. In 2008, 44% of Russians used strong language routinely, but today this share is 37%, including 18% of those who use strong words every day and 19% only several times a week. 

Every second Russian (51%) gets annoyed with intentional word distortions; 25% of them do not hide that, and the remainder (26%) do not show their annoyance. Using slang words and expressions annoys 45% of respondents; 43% get vexed at unintentional verbal errors and mistypes (vs 35% in 2008). Misuse of loan words does not look so irritating (35%).

According to 68% of Russians, it is essential to protect the language and keep it pure by all means possible. However, one-quarter of respondents (27%) consider that the language reflects the real situation in society, and it should evolve independently and without any interference. Two-thirds of respondents (68%) believe that borrowing words and using slang can threaten the Russian language. A quarter of respondents (23%) consider that the loan words enrich language. The percentage of those who think that the government should carry out measures to protect the Russian language has decreased from 61% in 2008 to 49%. They are opposed by 46% of those who consider that language is not subject to state control and it is up to people and society how to use it.  

VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on March 3, 2019. The survey involved 1,600 Russians aged 18 and over. The survey was telephone-based and was carried out using stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of landline and mobile phone numbers operating in Russia. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.