Reasoning on language and style in “Notes to Saint Petersburg sheets” (1728-1742)

The academic magazine “Notes to Saint Petersburg Sheets” is the first Russian popular scientific edition. The magazine was addressed to a wide range of readers who wanted to acquire knowledge of the outward things. Starting from the second year of the “Notes” existence the editors developed a particular stylistic program for informative texts’ creation: educational materials had to be written in simple words, which could be easily understood by the unsophisticated readers of the first half of the XVIII century. The editors regularly stressed the fact that they tried to publish articles useful and pleasant for reading. The goal was achieved by means of language simplification and use of “clear” statements. It was noted that the work on the language for such compositions was at its very beginning. Quite often introducing stylistic installations, publishers created metaphorical contrasts with the language of high science, which was unsuitable for the “Notes”. Theoretical installations of the editorial office were embodied practically: the language of the “Notes” evolved quickly. It became rather flexible and smooth with time. Consideration of the “Notes” stylistic policy also helped to reveal sources of literary and esthetic polemics of the middle of the XVIIIth century. Such prominent writers as M. V Lomonosov and V K. Trediakovskiy participated in the process in their youth. They worked in the “Notes” as translators and experienced the need for “simplicity and clearness” prior to the beginning of their full-fledged literary life.