“An Extinct Language” as a Tool for Ressurection of “The Other’s” Subjectivity in the Novel “Lavr” by E.G. Vodolazkin

Abstract. This article considers the specific usage of archaic language elements in the novel “Lavr” by E.G. Vodolazkin. With their help the author creates the worldview of an old Russian person and pulls it together with the experience and world outlook of a modern reader. The analysis proceeds from assumption that the author has a distinct approach to adaptation and representation of the historic material, which is noted by a number of Russian critics (E. Birger, E. Vejlyan, T. Morozova). However, with the aim of analysis of the creative means in the Vodolazkin’s text it may be valid to approach the linguistic component of the work. With its help the author approaches the past. Vodolazkin’s closeness to the ideas of D.S. Lihachev suggests that insertions may have metaphysical meaning. By means of the extinct language the author resurrects subjectivity of “The Other” to allow the reader to overcome his restraint by a historical moment and to perceive the novel in the prospect of eternity. The term bilingueme, introduced by S.G. Nikolaev, is used in this article to consider functional loading of language elements in the novel’s text. By “an extinct language” we mean a specific author’s version of the ancient language, interpreted as a foreign one by a reader. The undertaken analysis allows to conclude, that the extinct language in “Lavr”, which can be found in the form of etymological references, language-games and original quotes, creates the dialogue between the old Russian and contemporary cultures, brings hagiographic and fictional personalities together.

Keywords: Vodolazkin, “Lavr”, contemporary novel, Old Slavonic language, Old Russian language, bilingueme, stylistic analysis, literary bilingualism.