The role of the title, epigraphs and commentaries in the structure of the "Selam, or the language of flowers" by D.P. Oznobishin

The article focuses on the structure of the first Russian book concerning the language of flowers «Selam, or the Language of flowers» by D.P.Oznobishin. The main part of the book consists of three texts - the introduction, describing what the language of flowers is and why it is not popular in Russia; the poem illustrating the use of the language of flowers in the East, as it was understood by Europeans, and the actual vocabulary of the language of flowers. These texts are framed by the second group of texts (the title of the book, epigraphs, dedication, paginal notes, commentaries, Appendix). Each type of the secondary text has its specific value in the overall structure of the book, all these texts together make the book, written by Oznobishin, an encyclopaedia of The Oriental culture for the European reader.