Finno-Ugric World

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.285-298
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УДК / UDC 39:793.3(571.122-25)

Dance as a Cultural Text: A Semiotic Analysis of Khanty and Mansi Choreography in the Context of Traditional Festivals

I. Yu. Tenyakov
Orel State Institute of Culture, Orel, Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg State Institute of Culture, Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. Dance is interpreted as a distinct semiosphere that synthesizes costume, movement, and rhythm, thereby encoding ethnic identity. The relevance of this study is обусловлена the threat of the loss of the unique cultural code of the Indigenous peoples of the North in the context of globalization, which makes the preservation and study of their dance heritage particularly significant. The aim of the study is to conduct a semiotic analysis of the dances of the Khanty and Mansi peoples (“Bear Festival” and “Crow Day”) and to identify the relationship between their festive culture and dance as a reflection of traditional worldview models.

Materials and Methods. The theoretical framework of the study is based on the works of representatives of the semiotic school (R. Barthes, Y. M. Lotman, B. A. Uspensky), which make it possible to consider the dance culture of the Khanty and Mansi as a sign system (“text of culture”) in which movement, rhythm, and costume function in unity. M. M. Bakhtin’s concept of dialogue and carnivalization is applied to analyze ritual communication during festivals, while E. B. Tylor’s animistic theory and the concept of “survivals” are used to reconstruct archaic layers of worldview. The empirical basis consists of ethnographic descriptions of the ritual complexes “Bear Festival” and “Crow Day”, including an analysis of dance movements, costume, rhythmic patterns, and their correlation with the mythological model of the world (a vertical three-tier structure of the universe). The main method employed is semiotic analysis aimed at decoding the worldview meanings embedded in traditional choreography.

Results and Discussion. The key festivals that embody the vertical three-tier model of the world among the Khanty and Mansi are the “Bear Festival” and “Crow Day”. They serve as carriers of profound mythologemes and the collective unconscious. The Bear Festival, dedicated to the veneration of the ancestral animal, comprises a complex of rituals, songs, and dances lasting several days. “Crow Day,” marking the arrival of spring, is likewise rich in dance practices. In the culture of the Khanty and Mansi, dance functions as a “living text”, in which key mythologemes are materialized through movement, costume, and rhythm; it enables communication with gods, spirits, and ancestors, and serves the function of preserving and transmitting the cultural code.

Conclusion. The scientific novelty of the study lies in a comprehensive semiotic analysis of the dance culture of the Khanty and Mansi, incorporating field materials and identifying stable structural oppositions that organize the kinetic text of the ritual. The practical significance of the work is determined by the possibility of applying its results in the activities of folklore ensembles engaged in the stage reconstruction of traditional dances, in the development of educational programs in ethnography, as well as in museum and tour-guiding practice.

Keywords: culture, dance, cultural text, semiotic analysis, myth, ethnic identity, festival

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Tenyakov I.Yu. Dance as a Cultural Text: A Semiotic Analysis of Khanty and Mansi Choreography in the Context of Traditional Festivals. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):285‒298. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.285-298

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Information about the author:

Ivan Yu. Tenyakov, Lecturer of the Department of Choreography, Orel State Institute of Culture (15 Leskova St., Orel 302020, Russian Federation); Postgraduate Student of the Department of Theory and History of Culture, Saint Petersburg State Institute of Culture (1 Millionnaya St., Saint Petersburg 191181, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9328-8591, SPIN-code: 6501-0253, ivan.peters.99@mail.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 21.01.2026; revised 20.03.2026; accepted 27.03.2026.

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УДК / UDC 39:008

Mari Educational Mentality: Structure, Values and Transformations

V. G. Tokpulatov
Mari Research Institute of Language, Literature and History named after V. M. Vasiliev, Yoshkar-Ola, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The article examines the problem of the educational mentality of the Mari people in the context of the transformation of traditional values and mechanisms of cultural and linguistic transmission. In conditions of the dominance of standardized educational models and the weakening of ethnocultural foundations of learning, there arises a need for a philosophical and cultural reflection on education as a form of ethnic determination. Despite the existence of research in the fields of ethnopedagogy and the sociology of education, the educational mentality of the Mari has not yet been analyzed as a value-semantic formation. The aim of the article is to identify the transformation of the value foundations of the Mari educational mentality.

Materials and Methods. The subject of the study is the educational mentality of the Mari ethnic group as a component of the overall mental structure of culture. The research material includes lexicographical sources, ethnographic as well as historical and pedagogical data. The study employs methods of philosophical and cultural analysis.

Results and Discussion. It has been determined that in traditional Mari mentality, education is primarily perceived as a process of nurturing the individual, aimed at fostering practical competence, moral resilience, and inner autonomy. It has been demonstrated that folk pedagogy is founded on the concept of a person as a being with a profound inner world, which should be gradually revealed. It has been identified that in contemporary conditions, ethnicity is undergoing transformation, accompanied by a weakening of the mental foundations of the formal educational process.

Conclusion. It is concluded that the Mari educational mentality functions as an active form of ethnic determination, ensuring the reproduction of cultural identity. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential application of the findings in the development of regional models of ethnocultural and multilingual education. The prospects for further research are associated with the continued analysis of the mental foundations of education in a comparative Finno-Ugric context.

Keywords: educational mentality, Mari ethnic group, ethnopedagogy, multilingual education, symbolic identity, social determination, existentiality

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Tokpulatov V.G. Mari Educational Mentality: Structure, Values and Transformations. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):271‒284. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.271-284

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Information about the author:

Vladimir G. Tokpulatov, Cand.Sci. (Philos.), Senior Researcher of the Scientific Field “Ethnology”, Mari Research Institute of Language, Literature and History named after V. M. Vasiliev (44 Krasnoarmeyskaya St., Yoshkar-Ola 424036, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0249-3242, SPIN-code: 4620-1789, vladimir.tokpulatov@ya.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 26.01.2026; revised 02.04.2026; accepted 08.04.2026.

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.254-270
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УДК / UDC 94:391(470.40)

The Musical and Ethnographic Tradition of the Moksha-Mordovians of the Penza Region: Toward the Identification of Musical Dialects

I. A. Matveeva
Penza State University, Penza, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The second half of the twentieth century was characterized by a steadily growing interest in the spiritual culture of the Finno-Ugric peoples, resulting in large-scale expeditions to numerous regions of Russia. Today, the traditions of the Mordovian people of the Penza Region demonstrate a high degree of preservation; however, they have not yet been examined by researchers in the context of identifying local musical dialects. As part of the Finno-Ugric ethnic community, the Penza Mordovian share common Mordovian stylistic features within their musical and ethnographic tradition. At the same time, their tradition has been shaped by the considerable distance from the central core of Mordovian culture, which developed within the territory of the Republic of Mordovia. In this regard, the research problem is associated with the process of consolidation of local song styles in ethnocontact areas. The significance of this issue is determined by the need for self-determination and self-identification of the Mordovian people in the contemporary world, as well as by the importance of preserving their authentic cultural heritage. The aim of the study is to investigate and analyze the musical and ethnographic traditions of the compactly settled villages of the Shemysheysky and Gorodishchensky districts of the Penza Region.

Materials and Methods. The research material consists of field records collected by the author during expeditions to Moksha-Mordovian villages between 2005 and 2025. The study combines the methodology of historical-comparative analysis with an ethnographic approach to the documentation and subsequent systematization of the collected data. Historical-comparative analysis was employed in the examination of sources revealing the migration movements of the Mordovian population across the territory of the Penza region. The ethnographic approach served as the foundation for the fieldwork, during which a wide range of information was documented, including song and dance folklore, descriptions of agricultural and family-domestic rituals, mythological beliefs, and other aspects of traditional culture. The process of systematization encompassed not only data obtained during recent field expeditions but also the processing of materials collected by other researchers in the areas under study. The investigation of musical folklore genres required the use of terminology and methodological principles established in the works of leading ethnomusicologists and folklore scholars, including N. N. Gilyarova, V. M. Shchurov, and G. Ya. Sysoeva.

Results and Discussion. In the Moksha settlements located at the junction of the Gorodishchensky and Shemysheysky districts, a local musical dialect has developed, centered in the village of Staraya Yaksarka. At the same time, the musical and ethnographic tradition reflects different historical and cultural tendencies at various levels. Thus, the traditional folk costume demonstrates the influence of the surrounding Erzya villages, while Moksha spoken language contains occasional Erzya lexical borrowings. At the musical level, however, a different tendency can be observed. The extensive song repertoire is based on distinctive indigenous song narratives and is characterized by pronounced genre dominants, including spring songs accompanied by movement, matchmaker songs, and songs of the bride’s kin group. Stable features of this musical dialect include specific types of texture closely associated with particular song genres, as well as such significant stylistic traits as the flexibility of pitch organization, the abundance of fine vocal ornamentation (including upward vocal “falls”), and the accentuation of individual tones within melismatic passages, resulting in the emergence of additional syllabic insertions.

Conclusion. Despite the contemporary dynamics of socio-cultural processes, the identified characteristics demonstrate considerable stability and serve as markers of the local Moksha- Mordovian musical dialect. These findings contribute to contemporary ethnomusicology and provide a direction for future research. The materials presented may prove useful for the identification of other Mordovian musical dialects and may also help refine the current understanding of the processes underlying the consolidation of song styles in ethnocontact territories.

Keywords: Mordvins, Moksha, Erzya, local traditions, Old Yaksarka, Penza region folklore, musical dialect, Penza region

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Matveeva I.A. The Musical and Ethnographic Tradition of the Moksha-Mordovians of the Penza Region: Toward the Identification of Musical Dialects. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):254‒270. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.254-270

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Information about the author:

Irina A. Matveeva, Cand.Sci. (Arts), Associate Professor of the Department of Music and Music Teaching Methods, Penza State University (40 Krasnaya St., Penza 440026, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5351-3561, SPIN-code: 6293-2465, redkina1983@rambler.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 27.01.2026; revised 05.03.2026; accepted 10.03.2026.

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.234-253
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УДК / UDC 39:008 Гейкель

A. O. Heikel’s Work as a Source on Material Culture and Contemporary Revitalization Practices

V. I. Rogachev, S. V. Gordina, V. N. Nemechkin
National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of this study is determined by the growing interest in authentic forms of national culture and the need to draw upon reliable sources for the revitalization of the traditional costume and embroidery of the Mordovian people in the contemporary context. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the potential applications of the work “Mordovian Costume and Ornament” by the Finnish ethnographer A. O. Heikel as a  ource on material culture and as a foundation for contemporary revitalization practices in various fields of folk art.

Materials and Methods. A. O. Heikel’s monograph “Mordovian Costume and Ornament” (1899) is examined as a significant primary source on the material culture of the Mordovian people. To analyze the evolution of the ethnographer’s views and his methods of documenting ethnographic material, the authors employed the historical-genetic method. Source criticism was applied to assess the completeness, reliability, and representativeness of the collected data, as well as to analyze Heikel’s fieldwork techniques, including visual observation, interviews, collection building, and sketching. The method of retrospective reconstruction was used to evaluate the potential application of Heikel’s data (patterns of garment construction and ornamental designs) for the reconstruction of lost costume elements by contemporary artisans.

Results and Discussion. Heikel’s work represents a unique collection of data, comprising more than 250 color illustrations and approximately 2,000 ornament pattern diagrams. The distinctive features of the Finnish researcher’s methodology have been identified, including the detailed documentation of garment construction and embroidery techniques. He was the first scholar to systematize the folk terminology of ornaments (e.g., numolon pilet, vete kit). The significance of his work extends beyond that of a passive archival source. The inclusion of precise garment-cutting patterns and authentic names of ornamental motifs makes it an effective methodological guide for contemporary artisans, enabling the reconstruction not only of the form but also of the semantic content of traditional costume.

Conclusion. In the context of contemporary ethnocultural processes, the scholar’s work acquires a new function, serving as a scientifically grounded foundation for the revitalization and authentic reproduction of traditional heritage. Future research prospects are associated with the creation of a digital database of Heikel’s ornaments, the field-based verification of his terminology, and the development of validated reconstructions of traditional Mordovian costume based on his schemes for use in educational and heritage revitalization projects.

Keywords: A. О. Heikel, ethnography, Finno-Ugric Peoples, Mordovian People, traditional clothing, ornament, revitalization

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Rogachev V.I., Gordina S.V., Nemechkin V.N. A. O. Heikel’s Work as a Source on Material Culture and Contemporary Revitalization Practices. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):234‒253. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.234-253

REFERENCES

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Information about the authors:

Vladimir I. Rogachev, Dr.Sci. (Philos.), Associate Professor, Leading Researcher of the Interregional Research Center for Finno-Ugric Studies, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2830-8667, rogachev-v@bk.ru

Svetlana V. Gordina, Cand.Sci. (Ped.), Director of the Editorial Board of Scientific Journals, Higher School for Development of Scientific and Educational Potential, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2265-418X, sciedit@mrsu.ru

Vasily N. Nemechkin, Cand.Sci. (Law), Associate Professor, Director of the Interregional Research Center of Finno-Ugric Studies, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3650-4185, modmn@mail.ru

Authors’ contribution:

V. I. Rogachev – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; preparation and creation of the published work.

S. V. Gordina – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; preparation and creation of the published work by those from the original research group, specifically critical review, commentary or revision – including pre- or post-publication stages.

V. N. Nemechkin – verification of the reproducibility of the research results within the framework of the objectives of the research; conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the data.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 07.03.2026; revised 21.04.2026; accepted 28.04.2026

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УДК / UDC 94:371.1(470.22)

The Agricultural Orientation of School Education in Karelia in the 1920s: A Retrospective Analysis of Regional Experience

Е. V. Dianova
Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. With the introduction of specialized classes aimed at training personnel for Karelia’s agro-industrial sector, there is a growing need to revisit the historical experience of teaching school students advanced agricultural practices, as seen during the implementation of an agricultural focus in rural schools in the 1920s. A notable gap in the literature is the lack of comprehensive studies of this process within regional historiography. The aim of study is to examine and analyze the introduction of an agricultural focus in rural schools in Karelia in the broader context of pedagogical experimentation in public education in the 1920s.

Materials and Methods. The study draws on documents from the National Archive of the Republic of Karelia, including materials from the People’s Commissariat for Education of the Karelian ASSR, the Karelian Regional Union of Agricultural and Handicraft Industrial Cooperatives, and the Kem District Department of Public Education. The research is grounded in a historical-pedagogical approach, which involves examining how pedagogical theories were implemented in school practice at the local level. The regional approach made it possible to identify both common and distinctive features of the processes associated with the introduction of an agricultural orientation in rural schools, both across the country as a whole and in Karelia in particular.

Results and Discussion. As the analysis of sources has shown, the official status of schools with an agricultural orientation remained ambiguous and gave rise to differing interpretations. In practice, this model of rural schooling was implemented by allocating land plots to schools according to predetermined standards. The primary goals of introducing an agricultural orientation in schools were to foster collectivist skills among children and to disseminate advanced agricultural practices among peasants in order to improve agricultural productivity. It was found that, in many cases, utilitarian objectives, such as providing teachers and students with produce from school gardens, took precedence over educational and pedagogical aims. The study also identified key shortcomings in the functioning of these institutions, including a lack of tools and seeds, as well as a shortage of trained teacher-agronomists. As a result, ordinary rural schools with an agricultural orientation played only a limited role in the economic life of the village and were often viewed critically by the peasantry; they failed to become centers of agronomic and cooperative outreach. The most successful institutions were experimental and demonstration schools, as well as commune schools with an agricultural orientation, which maintained auxiliary training farms and functioned as experimental agricultural stations.

Conclusion. The findings presented by the author contribute to the study of pedagogical innovations in rural schools aimed at modernizing the agrarian economy in the 1920s. The materials of the article enrich existing knowledge on the history of public education in the republic and enable similar research to be conducted in other regions of the country. The practical significance of the study lies in establishing continuity in the traditions of agricultural education and in the possibility of drawing on historical experience when developing innovative approaches to training personnel for the agro-industrial sector of contemporary Russia.

Keywords: public education, rural schools of Karelia, agricultural orientation, land allotments, labor education

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Dianova E.V. The Agricultural Orientation of School Education in Karelia in the 1920s: A Retrospective Analysis of Regional Experience. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):216–233. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.216-233

REFERENCES

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4. Bykova E.Yu. [The Reform of the School Education System in the USSR, 1917–1930: Organizational and Ideological Aspects]. Tomsk State University Journal. Philosophy. Sociology. Political Science. 2011;(1):179‒189. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/nqyptr
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Information about the author:

Elena V. Dianova, Dr.Sci. (Hist.), Associate Professor of the Department of National History, Institute of History, Political and Social Sciences, Petrozavodsk State University (33 Lenin Prospekt, Petrozavodsk 185910, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7661-5181, SPIN-code: 4526-3874, elena-dianowa@yandex.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 17.12.2025; revised 14.01.2026; accepted 19.01.2026.

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.200-215
https://elibrary.ru/oswsrr
УДК / UDC 94:355.404.51(480)

“Contrabandists” or “Peasants-Brethren”: Karelian Peddlers in the Grand Duchy of Finland

I. S. Nesterova
Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. Peddling in the Russian-Finnish borderlands has existed for centuries. Karelian peasants found an additional source of income in this type of trade, while the Finnish population appreciated the convenience associated with organizing trade activities. The importance of trade for the population on both sides of the border is evident from the fact that trade operations continued even during periods of war. The border population lived according to their own laws, and the restrictions and prohibitions imposed by the authorities did not significantly impact their trade traditions. The most important form of itinerant trade was carried out by the residents of the Uhtinskaya and Voknavolotskaya volosts of the Kem district of the Arkhangelsk province, which were predominantly inhabited by Karelian people. The chronological scope of this study covers the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. To date, there has been no comprehensive study in Russian historiography on the role of Karelian traders in the Grand Duchy of Finland. The purpose of this study is to determine the social role of Karelian traders and to identify the specific ways in which their activities were perceived by the Finnish authorities and local population.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on foreign archival documents that were not previously involved in scientific work, as well as periodical press materials. Unpublished sources include materials from the Foundation of the Office of the Governor-General of the Grand Duchy of Finland, stored in the National Archives of Finland (Helsinki). The documents contain correspondence between the Governor-General and the Ministry of the Interior, the Imperial Finnish Senate and other governors. The term “Russian merchants” is often found in official papers, which was probably used to denote the affiliation of Karelian peasants to the Russian Empire. Among the published materials, the articles of the Finnish Newspaper, which was published in Helsingfors from 1900 to 1917, stand out. The study used both general scientific methods (analysis, generalization, and systematization) and specific historical approaches (historical-genetic and historical-comparative), which allowed for the identification of general trends in the perception of Karelian peddlers in Finnish society.

Results and Discussion. As a result of the study, the attitude of Finnish society towards Karelian traders was revealed. The Finnish authorities (including the lansman, a police officer in rural areas) maintained a strongly negative attitude towards Karelian peddlers. Initially, Finnish rural merchants supported the peddler trade, as peddlers were the primary source of supply for their shops. However, as their own trade expanded and industry developed, shopkeepers began to view peddlers as competitors. The attitude of the majority of the rural population towards the Karelian traders remained consistently benevolent: centuries-old trade had contributed to strong ties between the peasants and the peddlers. At the turn of the century, there was a brief surge of restrictions: village assemblies adopted regulations prohibiting trade with peddlers, providing them with food and lodging, and landless peasants were forbidden to even speak with peddlers, under the threat of losing their land. This situation was related to political measures to limit Finland’s autonomy and rumors about the redistribution of land, the introduction of the Russian language, laws, schools, and churches. However, only a small portion of society participated in the oppression.

Conclusion. Despite the persecution and harassment of merchants that took place in the region at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the traditional trade of the White Sea Karelians, known as korobeynichestvo, did not lose its significance, and during the First World War, it became widespread. In the late 1880s, there was a slight decline in the activity of Karelian korobeyniki in the Grand Duchy of Finland, which was attributed to the development of industry in the region and the expansion of the trade network. However, the merchants were able to quickly find a way out of the situation by purchasing goods from the shops and stalls of the rural merchants and distributing them to the villages. Some of the more successful Karelian merchants were able to settle in Finland and establish their own trading establishments. This research contributes to the expansion and deepening of theoretical knowledge about the history of the issue by utilizing previously unused archival materials.

Keywords: peddlers, landowners, Finnish rural population, itinerant trade

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Nesterova I.S. “Contrabandists” or “Peasants-Brethren”: Karelian Peddlers in the Grand Duchy of Finland. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):200‒215. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.200-215

REFERENCES

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2. Nevalainen P. Kulkukauppiaista kauppaneuvoksiin. Itӓkarjalaisten liiketoimintaa Suomessa. Helsinki: Riika; 2016. 294 s. (In Finn.)
3. Ahlbeck J., Östman A-C., Stark E. Encounters and Practices of Petty Trade in Northern Europe, 1820–1960: Forgotten Livelihoods. Springer; 2022. 353 p.
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10. Sundelin A. Settling Down and Setting Up: Itinerant Peddlers from Russian Karelia as Shopkeepers in Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Finland. In: Ahlbeck J., Östman A.-C., Stark E. Encounters and Practices of Petty Trade in Northern Europe, 1820–1960: Forgotten Livelihoods; 2022. P. 297‒319.
11. Huldén N. Gifts, Feasts, and the Surplus of Friendship: Practices in a Remembered Economy of Petty Trading. In: Ahlbeck J., Östman A.-C., Stark E. Encounters and Practices of Petty Trade in Northern Europe, 1820–1960: Forgotten Livelihoods; 2022. P. 119‒146.
12. Heinänen H. Kainuun laukkukauppaa autonomian ajan lopulla. In: Rihma – aineksia. Kajaani: Oulun yliopistopaino; 1999. S. 173–186. (In Finn.)
13. Naakka-Korhonen M. Halpa hinta, pitkä mitta. Vienankarjalainen laukkukauppa. Helsinki: SKS; 1988. 294 s. (In Finn.)

Information about the author:

Irina S. Nesterova, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign History, Institute of History, Political and Social Sciences, Petrozavodsk State University (33 Lenin Prospekt, Petrozavodsk 185910, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7138-691X, ines@petrsu.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 15.05.2026; revised 12.11.2025; accepted 14.11.2025.

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.183-199
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УДК / UDC 159.942:811.511.131

The Role of the Image Schema “Container” in the Verbalization of the Concept “Śulem” ‘Heart’ in Udmurt

M. V. Romanova
University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

Abstract

Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the “container” image schema and its role in the metaphorical conceptualization of emotions through the concept śulem ‘heart’ in the Udmurt language. The study relevance lies in the fact that the cognitive analysis of image schemas and cognitive metaphors in this language has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study is to identify and systematically analyze the metaphorical realizations of the container schema within the structure of the concept śulem ‘heart’ in the Udmurt language.

Materials and Methods: The object of the study consists of metaphorical expressions with the lemma śulem ‘heart’ from the National Corpus of the Udmurt Language, collected through targeted sampling and analyzed using cognitive-linguistic methods. Additional data were obtained from bilingual dictionaries, a monograph, and a folklore collection.

Results and Discussion. The image schemа “container”, realized through the concept śulem ‘Heart’, plays a central role in the conceptualization of emotions in the Udmurt language. In the Udmurt linguistic cognition the heart is understood as an enclosed space capable of containing emotions and inner experiences. The metaphor “The heart is a container for emotions” is analyzed, where emotions are conceptualized as substances, fluids, materials, or living beings, or light. Particular attention is given to the role of spatial case markers and postpositions in formation of metaphorical structure, as well as to the schemas of “full/empty”. The heart as a container may be represented in the form of a house, chest, or nest.

Conclusion. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that, for the first time, a systematic analysis of the “container” image schema has been carried out based on Udmurt language data within the framework of cognitive linguistics. The results show that the metaphor “Heart as a container” in the Udmurt language combines universal mechanisms of metaphorization with culture-specific aspects of worldview. The study of image schemas and cognitive metaphors serves as an important means of accessing human cognition and contributes to understanding how different cultures perceive and interpret the world.

Keywords: Udmurt language, cognitive linguistics, image schema, cognitive metaphor, container, conceptualization, emotions

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Romanova M.V. The Role of the Image Schema “Container” in the Verbalization of the Concept “Śulem” ‘Heart’ in Udmurt. Finno-Ugric World. 2026;18(2):183‒199. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.183-199

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9. Gibbs R. Embodied Experience and Linguistic Meaning. Brain and Language. 2003;84(1):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-934X(02)00517-5
10. Clausner T., Croft W. Domains and Image Schemas. Cognitive Linguistics. 1999;10(1):1–31. https://doi.org/10.1515/cogl.1999.001
11. Kövecses Z. Testesültség (embodiment) a nyelvben és gondolkodásban – kognitív nyelvészeti megközelítés. Replika. 2021;(121–122):49–61. (In Hung.) https://doi.org/10.32564/121-122.4
12. Dodge E., Lakoff G. Image Schemas: From Linguistic Analysis to Neural Grounding. In: Hampe B., Grady J.E. From Perception to Meaning: Image Schemas in Cognitive Linguistics. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter Publ.; 2005. P. 57–92. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110197532.1.57
13. Enfield N.J, Wierzbicka A. The Body in Description of Emotion. Pragmatics and Cognition. 2002;10(1‒2):1–25. https://doi.org/10.1075/pc.10.1-2.02enf
14. Kövecses Z., Benczes R. Kognitív nyelvészet. Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó; 2016. P. 80. https://doi.org/10.1556/9789630597340
15. Niemeier S. To Be in Control: Kind-Hearted and Cool-Headed. The Head-Heart Dichotomy in English. In: Sharifian F., Dirven R., Yu N., Niemeier S. Culture, Body, and Language: Conceptualizations of Internal Body Organs across Cultures and Languages. Berlin, New York: Mouton de Gruyter; 2008. P. 355. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110199109.4.349
16. Clausner T.C. Commonsense Knowledge and Conceptual Structure in Container Metaphors. In: Proceedings of the Sixteenth Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1994. P. 190. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315789354-33
17. Kondratyeva N.V. Expressing Spatial Relationsin Modern Udmurt. Ural-Altaic Studies. 2010;(1):5–16. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) Available at: https://iling-ran.ru/library/ural-altaic/ua2010_02.pdf (accessed 25.11.2025)
18. Romanova M.V. Сultural Metaphors in the Folk Songs of the Trans-Vyatka Udmurts. Tomsk Journal of Linguistics and Anthropology. 2025;(2):30–41. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.23951/2307-6119-2025-2-30-41

Information about the author:

Marina V. Romanova, PhD Student of the Department of Finno-Ugrian Philology, University of Szeged (2 Egyetem St., Szeged 6722, Hungary), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4734-6103, SPIN-code: 4224-9323, marinalintu@gmail.com

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 04.12.2025; revised 09.01.2026; accepted 29.01.2026.

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.170-182
https://elibrary.ru/jvwfmv
УДК / UDC 81’373:621.013:811.511.111:811.161.1

Making the Finnish-Russian Corpus of Phraseological Units: A Case Study of Idioms Meaning “to Die”

N. V. Belkina, D. Yu. Shareshik
Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. A comparative linguistic analysis of the worldview of particular ethnic groups makes it possible to understand the differences between national cultures and the ways in which they complement one another. A Finnish-Russian corpus of phraseological units annotated according to specific criteria provides an opportunity to identify both universal and culture-specific features in the perception of the surrounding world. The creation and linguistic annotation of a specialized bilingual corpus of phraseological expressions constitutes a challenge; however, once resolved, it may yield an effective tool for comparative analysis and machine translation. The aim of the study is to determine the criteria for annotating a corpus of Finnish-Russian phraseological units and to test this annotation framework on a thematic group with the meaning “to die”.

Materials and Methods. The material for the study comprised Finnish and Russian phraseological units belonging to the thematic group “to die”, selected through continuous sampling from Finnish and Russian dictionaries of phraseology, slang, and colloquial speech. The relevance of this research stems from the absence of digital parallel phraseological corpora for the Finnish and Russian languages and, consequently, from the lack of annotation criteria for such a corpus. The pilot corpus, which currently includes 123 Finnish and 136 Russian phraseological units, is intended for comparative linguocultural analysis and for applied machine translation tasks. The methodology is based on a comparative approach that takes into account the thematic-semantic, stylistic, and etymological parameters of phraseological units.

Results and Discussion. A detailed tagging scheme is proposed, including semantic classification, stylistic labels, and indications of origin. In the process of tagging phraseological units meaning “to die,” a set of criteria is employed: a semantic-thematic criterion based on universal semantic metaphor; a semantic criterion taking into account connotative components of meaning; a stylistic criterion; a language pair criterion; and an etymological criterion. In addition to semantic, etymological, and stylistic parameters, the tagging process also considers the presence of derivatives and synonyms, as well as the grammatical features of phraseological units, which is necessary for the subsequent generation of contextually appropriate examples.

Conclusion. The developed corpus is valuable for identifying both universal and culture-specific features in the perception of the concept of death within Finnish and Russian linguistic cultures, and it also provides a foundation for further research in the fields of phraseology and cross-linguistic communication. The creation and tagging of the corpus according to the proposed criteria do not require specialized programming knowledge and can be carried out using open-source software. Such a corpus constitutes a step toward the development of a computational model of the linguistic worldview, which can be employed for processing large-scale data and training artificial intelligence systems.

Keywords: phraseology, linguocultural studies, parallel corpus, semantic annotation, Finnish language, Russian language, concept of death

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Belkina N.V., Shareshik D.Yu. Making the Finnish-Russian Corpus of Phraseological Units: A Case Study of Idioms Meaning “to Die”. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):170‒182. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.170-182

REFERENCES

1. Belkina N.V., Lalym A.S., Osmak N.A. On Spatial Relationships in the Finnish Language. Perm University Herald. Russian and Foreign Philology. 2024;16(2):16‒27. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.17072/2073-6681-2024-2-16-27
2. Bikmukhametova R.M. The Language Images of the Concept Death in the World View of Languages of Different Structure (on the Material of the Russian and Bashkir Languages). Modern Problems of Science and Education. 2014;(1). (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) Available at: https://science-education.ru/ru/article/view?id=12022 (accessed 17.10.2025).
3. Dobrovolsky D.O. [National and Cultural Specificity in Phraseology]. Voprosy jazykoznanija. 1997;(6):37‒58. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/pyiohb
4. Kryukova N.F., Aleksandrova E.V., Isakova E.M. [Idiomatic Equivalence in Terms of Cognitive and Hermeneutic Analysis]. Theory of Language and Intercultural Communication. 2023;(3):150‒158. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/fyiaws
5. Pochueva N.N. [The Concept of Equivalence in Phraseology (Based on the Russian and English Languages)]. Nauchnye issledovanija. 2019;(2):19‒21. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/yuraem
6. Yusupova S.M. [Comparative Analysis of Idioms about Work (Based on English, German, Russian, and Chechen Languages)]. Moscow University Bulletin. Ser. 19: Linguistics and Intercultural Communication. 2011;(2):140‒146. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/nxpdbj
7. McEnery T., Brezina V. Fundamental Principles of Corpus Linguistics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2022. 313 p. 
8. Sinclair J. (ed.) How to Use Corpora in Language Teaching. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing; 2004. 307 p. 
9. McEnery T., Hardie A. Corpus Linguistics: Method, Theory and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2012. 294 p.
10. Dobrovol’skij D.O., Zalizniak A.A. On a Special Type of Necessity Modality: The German Verb Sollen Viewed from Parallel Corpora. Voprosy Jazykoznanija. 2021;(6):22‒39. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.31857/0373-658X.2021.6.22-39
11. Karimova S.G. [Features of the Translation of Adjectival Phraseological Units Using the Potential of Corpus Linguistics (Based on the Material of English and Russian Languages)]. Kazan Science. 2023;(9):214‒216. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/uuwikq
12. Panteleeva L.M., Khorobrykh S.V. Spatial Meanings of the Concept “Death” in Perm Phraseology. Philology. Theory & Practice. 2018;(10‒2):330‒337. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.30853/filnauki.2018-10-2.24
13. Orlova O.S. The Topics of Birth and Death in Russian and English Phraseological UNITS. The Metaphor of Way. Journal of Psycholinguistics. 2020;(1):64‒74. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.30982/2077-5911-2020-41-1-64-74
14. Dobrovol’skij D.O. Bilingual Corpus-Based Dictionary of Idioms: Organization of the Dictionary Entry Text. Critique and Semiotics. 2024;(2):124–146. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.25205/2307-1753-2024-2-124-146
15. Belkina N.V., Lalym A.S., Osmak N.A. Valence Structure of Verbs of Motion in Finnish (Using the Example of Idiomatic Expressions with the Verb Mennä). Yearbook of Finno-Ugric Studies. 2025;19(1):6‒17. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.35634/2224-9443-2025-19-1-6-17

Information about the authors:

Natalia V. Belkina, Cand.Sci. (Ped.), Associate Professor of the Department of Languages of Northern Europe, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia (48 Moyka Embankment, St. Petersburg 191186, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1080-1458, SPIN-code: 9094-6553, bel_nat@mail.ru

Denis Yu. Shareshik, Master’s Student of the Institute of Foreign Languages, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia (48 Moyka Embankment, St. Petersburg 191186, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1641-5681, SPIN-code: 5207-3621, shareshik.denis@yandex.ru

Authors’ contribution:

N. V. Belkina – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; preparation and creation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation); oversight and leadership responsibility for the research activity planning and execution, including mentorship external to the core team.

D. Yu. Shareshik – conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the data; verification of the reproducibility of the research results within the framework of the objectives of the research.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 13.11.2025; revised 02.12.2025; accepted 13.01.2026.

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https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.159-169
https://elibrary.ru/oautyc
УДК / UDC 811.511.152:811.111

The Properties of Visual Perception Verbs in the Erzya Language in the Aspect of A. Viberg’s Typological Model

N. M. Mosina, G. M. Komissarov
National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. Verbs of visual perception occupy a special place in the lexical system of any language, as they reflect the way people conceptualize the surrounding world through the visual channel of perception. The study of such verbs makes it possible not only to identify the specific features of a language’s worldview but also to trace the patterns of development of lexical-semantic groups within a particular language. The aim of this study is to identify and systematize the semantic characteristics of verbs of visual perception in the Erzya language within the framework of А. Viberg’s model. The relevance of the research stems from the lack of a systematic semantic and typological analysis of this lexical group in Erzya. Such an analysis makes it possible not only to describe the lexical-semantic field of visual perception verbs but also to test the universality of the proposed model. Furthermore, these verbs play a crucial role in shaping a language’s worldview, as vision is the dominant channel through which humans acquire information about the world around them.

Materials and Methods. This study focuses on verbs of visual perception in the Erzya language, identified through exhaustive sampling from Erzya lexicographic sources and national corpora. The research combines general scientific methods with specialized linguistic approaches, including structural-semantic, componential, contextual, and comparative analyses, to analyze the semantic properties of perception verbs within the framework of A. Viberg’s typological model.

Results and Discussion. The article analyzes the semantic characteristics of Erzya verbs that constitute the lexico-semantic field of visual modality. A corpus of visual perception verbs in the Erzya language was compiled using data from dictionaries and national corpora. The verbs were classified according to the semantic types of the proposed model, and subject-oriented and object-oriented lexemes were identified. In addition, the focus type of each group of verbal units in the language under study was determined. To achieve these objectives, the study employed a three-part classification of visual perception verbs, identified their fundamental semantic roles, and examined the correlations between focus type and the lexical-semantic properties of these verbs in the Erzya language.

Conclusion. This study provides the first systematic verification of A. Viberg’s three-part typological model based on data from the Erzya language. The results confirm the cross-linguistic validity of the distinction between subject-oriented and object-oriented focus, as well as between controlled and uncontrolled perception at the lexico-semantic level. As in the majority of the world’s languages, visual perception verbs in Erzya are clearly divided into the two main focus types, with further semantic differentiation within each group. The findings contribute to the typology of perceptual lexicon and offer promising directions for future comparative studies of both Finno-Ugric and Indo-European languages.

Keywords: verbs of perception, visual perception, semantics, lexico-semantic field, the Erzya language

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Mosina N.M., Komissarov G.M. The Properties of Visual Perception Verbs in the Erzya Language in the Aspect of A. Viberg’s Typological Model. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):159‒169. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.159-169

REFERENCES

1. Moiseeva S.A. [Semantic Field of Perception Verbs in Western Romance Languages: Monograph]. Belgorod; 2005. 248 р. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/xwssvh
2. Mosina N.M., Paksyutkina Yu.S. Semantics of Verbs of Auditory Perception in the Erzia and Finnish Languages. Finno-Ugric World. 2020;12(1):12–19. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.012.2020.01.012-019
3. Mosina N.M., Paksyutkina Yu.S. Comparative Analysis of Auditory Perception Verbs in the Erzya and Finnish Languages. Philology. Theory & Practice. 2020;13(4):163–167. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.30853/filnauki.2020.4.33
4. Mosina N.M., Kazaeva N.V. Semantics of Visual Perception Verbs in the Erzya-Mordvin and Finnish Languages. Yearbook of Finno-Ugric Studies. 2021;15(1):23–33. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.35634/2224-9443-2021-15-1-23-33
5. Viberg Å. Phenomenon-Based Perception Verbs in Swedish from a Typological and Contrastive Perspective. Syntaxe & Sémantique. 2019;20(1):17–48. https://doi.org/10.3917/ss.020.0017
6. Huumo T. Is Perception a Directional Relationship? On Directionality and Its Motivation in Finnish Expressions of Sensory Perception. Linguistics. 2010;48(1):49–97. https://doi.org/10.1515/LING.2010.002
7. Huumo T. Näkökulmia suomen kielen aistihavaintoverbeihin. Emakeele Seltsi aastaraamat. 2006;52:69–86. (In Finn.) Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282652454_Nakokulmia_suomen_kielen_aistihavaintoverbeihin_httpwwwemakeeleseltseeesaESA_52_pdfHuumopdf (accessed 20.02.2026).
8. Huumo T. Kognition kieli: Miten suomen kieli käsitteistää aistihavainnon? Sananjalka. 2005;47(1):7–41. (In Finn.) https://doi.org/10.30673/sja.86654
9. Amirova N.S. On the Problem of Modeling the Situation of Visual Perception in the Works of Turkish Scientists (in the Aspect of the Theory of A. Viberg). Sociosphere. 2020;(4):18–22. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://elibrary.ru/jjiije
10. Kaksin A.D., Chertykova M.D. [The Cognitive Basis of the Semantic Classification of Verbs of Perception in Different Structural Languages]. Kul’tura narodov Prichernomoria. 2009;(1):331‒334. (In Russ.)

Information about the authors:

Natalya M. Mosina, Dr.Sci. (Philol.), Professor of the Department of English Language for Professional Communication, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1742-5438, SPIN-code: 2575-6811, natamish@rambler.ru

Grigoriy M. Komissarov, Postgraduate Student of the Department of the English Language for Professional Communication, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6077-2455, grkom13@gmail.com

Authors’ contribution:

N. M. Mosina – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; development of methodology; conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the data; preparation and creation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation).

G. M. Komissarov – conducting a research and investigation process, specifically performing the data; preparation and creation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation).

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 08.02.2026; revised 03.04.2026; accepted 10.04.2026.

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Original article

https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.144-158
https://elibrary.ru/fhrkze
УДК / UDC 81:81’25:811.511.131

The Linguo-Sensory Representation of Cold in the Udmurt Language: The Problem of Equivalent Translation into Russian

N. V. Kondratieva, O. V. Titova
Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhevsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The study of the linguistic representation of perceptual cognition of the surrounding reality makes it possible not only to systematise the specific features of expressing this phenomenon, but also to identify both universal and nationally specific characteristics of sensory experience. This creates a theoretical foundation for the development of adequate translation strategies ensuring the accurate rendering of nuances of sensory perception in translation. Despite this, Finno-Ugric linguistics still contains a significant research gap associated with the absence of a systematic description of the linguo-sensory representation of cold perception in the Udmurt language. The aim of the present study is to determine the specific features of the linguistic representation of the concept of “cold” in the Udmurt language from the perspective of linguo-sensory studies and to analyse how these sensory meanings may be conveyed when translated into Russian.

Materials and Methods. The empirical basis of the study comprised lexicographic sources, literary works, and linguistic data extracted from the National Corpus of the Udmurt Language. The research employed a range of methods, including the method of linguistic description involving observation, interpretation, and systematisation of linguistic material; componential analysis aimed at representing the lexical meaning of a word as a set of semantic components (in particular, that of low temperature); the method of continuous sampling; analysis of dictionary definitions; contextual analysis and the lexicographic method; as well as contextual and stylistic analysis.

Results and Discussion. The linguosensorics of cold in the contemporary Udmurt language reflects the corresponding perceptual information associated with both exteroceptive and interoceptive sensations. Depending on this, groups of lexical units participating in the verbalization of the perception and sensation of cold have been identified. The lexeme kez’yt constitutes a universal lexical unit expressing the following semantic meanings: cold; frosty; cool; icy; coldness; frost; coolness; bitter cold, etc. In this regard, when implementing a communicatively equivalent translation strategy from Udmurt into Russian, particular relevance is attached to the presence of fixed expressions, the semantic content of the micro- and macrocontext reflecting the sensory modality of perceiving and experiencing cold, as well as the translator’s perceptual experience.

Conclusion. The conclusions drawn by the authors contribute to the development of translation theory. Prospects for further research are associated with expanding the empirical basis through the analysis of other sensory modalities (such as sound, taste, etc.) in the Udmurt language and other Finno-Ugric languages.

Keywords: the Udmurt language, linguosensory perception of cold, translation activity, translation strategies, linguistic representation of the perceptual mode

Funding: The study was supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 24-78-10041 “Russian-Udmurt Parallel Corpus: Development of Tools and Comparative Research” (2026).

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Kondratieva N.V., Titova O.V. The Linguo-Sensory Representation of Cold in the Udmurt Language: The Problem of Equivalent Translation into Russian. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(2):144‒158. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.26182.144-158

REFERENCES

1. Sergeeva E.V., Gubernskaja T.V. Representation of the Artistic Concept “Cold” in the Poetry of A. Blok. Cherepovets State University Bulletin. 2021;(6):87–99. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.23859/1994-0637-2021-6-105-8
2. Baryshnikov P.N., Velis L.A. Verbalization of Sensory Experience and Data Analysis: Building Statistical Models. Vestnik of Moscow State Linguistic University. Humanities. 2025;(7):9–17. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://elibrary.ru/lrqpay
3. Lyapina L.E. [On the Historical Poetics of Sensory Characteristics]. Cherepovets State University Bulletin. 2016;(3):52‒53. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/waiwon
4. Paradis C., Eeg-Olofsson M. Describing Sensory Experience: The Genre of Wine Reviews. Metaphor and Symbol. 2013;28(1):22–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926488.2013.742838
5. Shen Y., Gadir O. How to Interpret the Music of Caressing: Target and Source Assignment in Synaesthetic Genitive Constructions. Journal of Pragmatics. 2009;41(2):357–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2008.08.002
6. Merzlaya A.V. Neural Machine Translation and Conveying Cold Perception (Based on Finnish-Russian Translations of Meteorological Texts). Vestnik Severnogo (Arkticheskogo) federal’nogo universiteta. Ser.: Gumanitarnye i sotsial’nye nauki. 2025;25(2):73–82. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://doi.org/10.37482/2687-1505-V421
7. Merzlaya A.V. Linguosensory Peculiarities of Finnish Adjectives with the Semantics of “Cold Sensation” and Their Representation in Translation. Herald of Tver State University. Ser.: Filology. 2023;(4):230‒236. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://elibrary.ru/znpolr
8. Merzlaya A.V. Colours of Cold: Colour Signifiers of Cold in Meteorological and Literary Discourses. Herald of Tver State University. Ser.: Filology. 2025;(2):245‒251. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) https://elibrary.ru/ufapqf
9. Bulyubash A.Yu. Situation of Tactile Perception and Its Linguistic Representation in Poetic Speech of I. Bunin. Kazan Pedagogical Journal. 2015;(5‒2):439‒444. (In Russ., abstract in Eng.) Available at: https://kpedj.ru/volumes/2015-5-112-2/ (accessed 12.02.2026).
10. Kryukova L.B., Dvizova A.V. [Semantic Model of Tactile Perception and Its Implementation in Pasternak’s Poetry]. Tomsk State University Journal. 2011;(352):22–26. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/onqfhj
11. Bryleva R.F. [Perceptual Concepts and Ways of Their Objectification in the French Language]. Bulletin of Chelyabinsk State University. 2010;(22):17‒20. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/ntnqan
12. Kuzmina A.A. [Representations of Cold in the Folklore Picture of World of Yakuts]. Nauchnyi dialog. 2020;(4):189‒202. (In Russ.) https://elibrary.ru/kykgmk

Information about the authors:

Natalia V. Kondratieva, Dr.Sci. (Philol.), Leading Researcher, Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (34 T. Baramzina St., Izhevsk 426067, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3632-503X, SPIN-code: 5206-9109, nataljakondratjeva@yandex.ru

Olga V. Titova, Cand.Sci. (Philol.), Senior Researcher, Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (34 T. Baramzina St., Izhevsk 426067, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5883-1876, SPIN-code: 3586-6980, ovtitova@rambler.ru

Authors’ contribution:

N. V. Kondratieva – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; preparation and creation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation); verification of the reproducibility of the research results within the framework of the objectives of the research.

O. V. Titova – ideas; formulation or evolution of overarching research goals and aims; preparation and creation of the published work by those from the original research group, specifically critical review, commentary or revision.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 23.02.2026; revised 07.04.2026; accepted 14.04.2026.

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Original article

https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.121-131
https://elibrary.ru/pooflg
УДК / UDC 008:314.122(470+571):316.4.063(470.345)

Sociocultural Integration in a Multiethnic Region: On the Mechanisms for Strengthening the All-Russian Civic Identity, as Exemplified by the Republic of Mordovia

I. V. Lapteva, S. D. Tribushinina
Research Institute of the Humanities by the Government of the Republic of Mordovia, Saransk, Russian Federation

Yu. V. Kuznetsova
National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The study is conducted within a cultural studies framework, with a focus on the processes of sociocultural integration in one of Russia’s multiethnic regions, the Republic of Mordovia, and is grounded in the theoretical foundations of cultural studies, ethnology, and social anthropology. The tension between the need to preserve the unique ethnocultural code of the Mordovian people and the successful sociocultural integration of new (foreign and non-local) members of the regional population generates the risk of both social isolation of newcomers and the formation of parallel communities, as well as spontaneous assimilation that disregards the cultural needs of all parties involved. Despite the existence of extensive literature on migration, adaptation, and national policy, the academic discourse continues to reveal a deficit of empirically grounded and conceptually elaborated models of integration specifically oriented toward the national republics of the Russian Federation. The aim of the study is to examine integration as a complex process of the self-organization of sociocultural integrity, proposing a replicable methodology suitable for scaling in other comparable multicultural constituent entities of the country.

Materials and Methods. The methodological foundation of the study is grounded in the principles of axiological analysis and the synergetic model of cultural interaction, which made it possible to examine in detail the practices of harmonizing interethnic relations within the specified regional context. The primary material of the research consists of project-based activities carried out by the Mordovian Regional Public Organization “Cultural and Linguistic Diversity of the Territory”, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, National Policy and Archival Affairs of the Republic of Mordovia, aimed at the cultural adaptation of foreign nationals and non-local citizens arriving for long-term employment or study.

Results and Discussion. The authors propose a model of active cultural education grounded in the principles of mutual respect, engagement with traditional values, and, as a result, sociocultural integration through contemporary communication formats. The project initiatives of non-profit organizations are manifested in heterogeneous activities (conducting interactive lectures in workplaces and educational settings, involving participants in artistic and craft practices, organizing dialogue platforms with the participation of representatives of diverse multiethnic communities, etc.).

Conclusion. In the context of ethnocultural diversity, the unity of the Russian people is not a static condition but a dynamic process that requires sustained constructive effort on the part of the state, society, and citizens themselves. The contribution of this study to scholarship lies in its interpretation of cultural diversity as a key resource for sustainable development, one that fosters the strengthening of civic solidarity and the formation of a shared identity while taking regional specificity into account.

Keywords: multicultural region, Republic of Mordovia, national culture, sociocultural integration, Mordovian folk, unity of the Russian people, cultural policy, migration, dialogue of cultures

Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

For citation: Lapteva I.V., Tribushininа S.D., Kuznetsova Yu.V. Sociocultural Integration in a Multiethnic Region: On the Mechanisms for Strengthening the All-Russian Civic Identity, as Exemplified by the Republic of Mordovia. Finno–Ugric World. 2026;18(1):121‒131. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.121-131

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Information about the authors:

Irina V. Lapteva, Dr.Sci. (Philos.), Associate Professor, Principal Researcher – Head of the Department of Theory and History of Culture, Research Institute of the Humanities by the Government of the Republic of Mordovia (3 L. Tolstoy St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0444-4237, SPIN-code: 9810-4143, laptevaiv@yandex.ru

Svetlana D. Tribushinina, Dr.Sci. (Cult.), Senior Researcher of the Department of Theory and History of Culture, Research Institute of the Humanities by the Government of the Republic of Mordovia (3 L. Tolstoy St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3472-3640, SPIN-code: 6652-8104, tribushinina85@mail.ru

Yulia V. Kuznetsova, Cand. Sci. (Philos.), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Design and Advertising, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8709-6081, SPIN-code: 9818-7915, kuv@bk.ru

Authors’ contribution:

I. V. Laptevа ‒ preparation and creation of the published work: specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation); formulation of research idea, goals and aims; oversight and leadership responsibility for the research activity planning and execution, including mentorship external to the core team.

S. D. Tribushininа ‒ preparation and creation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation); verification, whether as a part of the activity or separate, of the reproducibility of results and other research outputs and other research outputs.

Yu. V. Kuznetsova ‒ preparation and creation of the published work, specifically writing the initial draft (including substantive translation); verification, whether as a part of the activity or separate, of the reproducibility of results and other research outputs and other research outputs.

All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 29.12.2025; revised 03.02.2026; accepted 10.02.2026.

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Original article

https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.105-120
https://elibrary.ru/nrsrbz
УДК / UDC 008:82-1

“The Kalevala” in the Global Cultural Space: Mechanisms and Pathways of Adaptation

N. S. Bratchikova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. In academic discourse, the problem of conceptualizing the process of transcultural adaptation of folklore texts that embody the cultural memory of a people remains relevant. Despite the close attention scholars have paid to the “Kalevala” as a monument of epic heritage, there is still no comprehensive interdisciplinary study that would consider the “Kalevala” as a dynamic and open system functioning in diverse cultural contexts and media, identify the universal mechanisms and patterns of its adaptation, determine the degree of stability (“resilience”) of its archetypal plots, images, and mythologemes, and analyze the ambivalence of contemporary interpretations that combine simplification with attempts to preserve authenticity. Addressing this gap constitutes the relevance of the present study. The aim of the research is to identify and analyze the specific mechanisms and techniques through which the “Kalevala” has been transformed from a national epic into a phenomenon of global culture.

Materials and Methods. The study is based on an integrated approach that combines three complementary methods. Comparative analysis is used to juxtapose the original Finnish runes with their translated and adapted versions, making it possible to trace the transformation of plots and images across different cultures. Intermedial analysis is aimed at examining the processes through which the epic text is translated into other formats, such as cinema and painting. Narrative analysis is employed to identify key cultural codes, symbols, and archetypes, and to trace their preservation, omission, or reinterpretation. The corpus of sources for the study consists of key cases of the transnational reception of the “Kalevala”, representing various media and cultural contexts: literary works that have experienced a direct influence of the epic; audiovisual interpretations; and visual adaptations and representations in comics. The transcultural adaptation of the “Kalevala” is realized through three principal techniques: the refocusing of plot lines, narrative simplification, and the transformation of the semantic characteristics of characters.

Results and Discussion. The principal channels through which the epic is adapted within the media space have been identified: literature, visual art, cinema, and cultural tourism. The key technique of adaptation has been determined to be the decontextualization and subsequent recontextualization of mythological meanings in accordance with the demands of a foreign cultural environment and mass culture. Despite the persistence of archetypes, they are not static. The semantics of adapted characters have been shown to depend on the cultural code of the audience as well as on the historical and political context of the period in which the adaptation was created. Specific techniques have been identified through which the “Kalevala” is transformed from a national symbol into a global cultural product.

Conclusion. The conclusions drawn by the author contribute to the development of linguocultural studies and the theory of intercultural communication, as well as to folklore studies and mythology, translation studies, and the sociology of culture. The prospects of the research lie in the creation of a universal analytical model applicable to other national cultural phenomena. The materials of the article may prove useful in the development of academic courses in cultural studies, world literature, the history of art, and Finno-Ugric studies, including sections devoted to contemporary interpretations of epic heritage; in the preparation of textbooks and anthologies illustrating the transformation of folkloric narratives in mass culture (using the Kalevala as an example); and in the preparation of lecture materials for continuing education programs dedicated to the visualization of epic narratives in cinema, comics, and painting.

Keywords: transcultural adaptation, intermediality, cultural code, archetype, decontextualization, reception, “Kalevala”, global cultural product

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Bratchikova N.S. “The Kalevala” in the Global Cultural Space: Mechanisms and Pathways of Adaptation. Finno-Ugric World. 2026;18(1):105‒120. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.105-120

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Information about the author:

Nadezhda S. Bratchikova, Dr.Sci. (Philol.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Finno-Ugric Philology, Lomonosov Moscow State University (1 Leninskie Gory, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation); Professor of the Department of Linguistics and Professional Communication, Institute of International Relations and Social and Political Sciences, Moscow State Linguistic University (bld 1, 38 Ostozhenka St., Moscow 119034, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7402-8327, SPIN-code: 8159-6981, n.bratchikova@mail.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 15.12.2025; revised 14.01.2026; accepted 19.01.2026.

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Original article

https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.092-104
https://elibrary.ru/lxzadn
УДК / UDC 398.32(470.51)

The Sacred Space of the Sloboda Udmurts: The Imma/Immala Sanctuary

I. K. Kudryavtseva
Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Izhevsk, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. The surge of scholarly interest in Udmurt traditional religion that intensified during the late 1990s and 2000s marked a new phase in the study of pre-Christian ritual sites. This development stimulated the organisation of additional ethnographic, religious studies, and archaeological expeditions aimed at investigating ritual practices. The present article focuses on Immala, the most renowned ancient sanctuary of the Udmurt people, located in the Slobodskoy District of the Kirov Region. Despite the site’s profound sacred significance for the local Udmurt group and its occasional mentions in academic literature, a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of ritual practices at the Immala sanctuary during the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries has yet to be undertaken. The aim of this study is to analyse materials obtained during expeditions to the Immala site, to trace the transformations in ritual practices over time, and to introduce new data into scholarly circulation.

Materials and Methods. The research is based on materials from the Scientific Archive of the Udmurt Institute of History, Language, and Literature, Udmurt Federal Research Centre, spanning from 1971 to the present. The core body of sources comprises the author’s original field data, collected during a 2024 ethnographic expedition to the Slobodskoy District of Kirov Oblast. The methodological framework rests on the principles of historicism and systematic analysis. The historical-genetic method was employed to trace diachronic transformations in the religious beliefs of the Slobodskoy Udmurts. This approach facilitated the examination of the factors driving the evolution of their cultic practices – from collective clan prayers to individual offerings and the subsequent decline of these rites – while also establishing the correlation between these changes and socio-economic processes, particularly rural depopulation.

Results and Discussion. The Immala sanctuary constitutes a shared sacred site for all Sloboda Udmurts. The ritual of “journeying to the celestial land” (Im mala vetlon/vetton) symbolises a pilgrimage to this holy place, performed to offer sacrifice and to direct supplications to Imma-vozhshud for the bestowal of health and well-being. Data from the 2024 expedition indicate that the ceremonial rites conducted at the Immala sanctuary, which persisted until the early 21st century, are now fading from contemporary practice. This decline is attributable to the depopulation of villages due to migration, alongside the ageing and demographic attrition of the rural population, who are the primary bearers of this authentic cultural tradition.

Conclusion. The conclusions formulated by the author contribute to the development of ethnological research on traditional Udmurt religious practices. The materials may prove useful for describing the mythological worldview of the ethnic group, as well as for systematizing the sacred landscapes and cultural heritage sites of the Finno-Ugric peoples of Russia.

Keywords: Urban Udmurts, ethnocultural space, Immala sanctuary, religious traditions, sacred sites, dynamics of tradition, semantic analysis, depopulation

Conflict of interest: the author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Kudryavtseva I.K. The Sacred Space of the Sloboda Udmurts: The Imma/Immala Sanctuary. Finno-Ugric World. 2026;18(1):92‒104. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.092-104

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Information about the author:

Irina K. Kudryavtseva, Cand.Sci. (Hist.), Researcher Fellow, Udmurt Federal Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (34 T. Baramzina St., Izhevsk 426067, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8025-6185, SPIN-code: 2578-5067, nazm-irina@yandex.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 07.11.2025; revised 27.11.2025; accepted 05.12.2025.

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Original article

https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.074-091
https://elibrary.ru/zddclw
УДК / UDC 27-788:2-5(574.11)(470.4)

The Cult of Sultan Keremet among the Peoples of the Ural-Volga Region: An Analysis of a Religious and Cultural Tradition

A. S. Ilikaev
Ufa University of Science and Technology, Ufa, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. Sacred groves (keremets) continue to play a significant role in the religious and cultural life of Finno-Ugric and certain Turkic peoples. One of the most prominent and actively maintained cults today is that of Sultan Keremet among the Eastern Mari. However, no comprehensive study has yet examined this religious and cultural phenomenon at the scale of the Ural-Volga region. The present study aims to identify similarities and differences in the tradition of venerating Sultan Keremet in order to elucidate its essence and its role in sustaining ethnic identity and interconfessional relations.

Materials and Methods. The study of this religious and cultural tradition is grounded in the author’s field materials, data from ethnographic literature, and oral consultations with specialists in the field (R. R. Sadikov, L. A. Taymasov, A. A. Izilyaev, V. A. Kamilyanov). The application of structural-functional and comparative-historical methods, in conjunction with theories of the sacralization of space and collective memory, has enabled an analysis of the key aspects of the Sultan Keremet cult and an examination of their development within a historical perspective.

Results and Discussion. The author substantiates the proposition that the cult of Sultan Keremet originally emerged as a result of the syncretism between local ethnic beliefs and the Bulgar-Islamic tradition of venerating saints’ graves. Within the cult of Sultan Keremet among the studied peoples (Mari, Mordvins, Udmurts, and Chuvash), a number of shared features can be identified: the use of an Arabic-Islamic theonym, the classification of these figures among the “principal keremets,” as well as similarities in the structure of sacred groves and sacrificial rituals. Differences are observed in the attributed divine status and the timing of prayer practices. At present, the performance of ritual worship dedicated to Sultan Keremet (Vylem Khuzyа) serves not only to preserve vestiges of clan-based kinship relations but also to regulate norms of behavior within the sacred locus and to sustain the national identity of the ethno-territorial groups of the Mari, Udmurts, and Chuvash. Overall, the religious and cultural tradition under consideration, while retaining its foundation in a complex synthesis of local ethnic beliefs alongside elements of Islam and Christianity, remains subject to the influence of myth-making processes shaped by representatives of the national intelligentsia.

Conclusion. The analysis of the Sultan Keremet cult systematizes previously uncorrelated source materials. The author’s conclusions may serve as a foundation for further research not only on Sultan Keremet itself, but also on a range of typologically and functionally related cult figures among the peoples of the Ural-Volga region, including Surtan Kugyza, Sultan Aktash, Vylčry (Sultan) Irzam, Vylem Khuzya, and others. The study demonstrates considerable scholarly potential through its comprehensive examination of the corpus of Mari legends associated with the image of Sultan Keremet, as well as through its incorporation of recent academic data concerning a newly identified cult among the Udmurts.

Keywords: Sultan Keremet, cult, sacralization of space, collective memory, natural spirit, patron-spirit

Conflict of interest: The author declares no conflict of interest.

For citation: Ilikaev A.S. The Cult of Sultan Keremet among the Peoples of the Ural-Volga Region: An Analysis of a Religious and Cultural Tradition. Finno-Ugric World. 2026;18(1):74‒91. https://doi.org/10.15507/2076-2577.018.2026.01.074-091

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Information about the author:

Aleksandr S. Ilikaev, Cand.Sci. (Polit.), Associate Professor of the Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Ufa University of Science and Technology (32 Zаki Vаlidi St., Ufa 450076, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6773-9053, SPIN-code: 4932-1144, jumo@bk.ru

The author has read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 22.07.2025; revised 13.10.2025; accepted 21.10.2025.