"It is more important to continue communication than sound smart." Interview with the linguist Alexander Piperski

Alexander Piperski - Russian linguist and popularizer of science, winner of the "Educator" Award for the book "Designing languages. From Esperanto to Dothraki 'and senior lecturer at the Higher School of Economics. We talked with Alexander and found out why linguistics can not be fully attributed to the humanitarian science, can you survive the new feminitivy and when people speak on the Dothraki language from the "Games of Thrones. "

For assistance in preparing the material thank the educational project "Kurilka Gutenberg».

"Linguistics approaches to programming and mathematics"

- Your family is closely connected with the word: mother - a professor of Philology of Moscow State University, the grandmother - literary, and grandfather - a journalist. You childhood dream to learn the language?

- I wanted to be a soccer goalie or machinist subway - is more attractive for child tradeThan learning the language. On the other hand, I have a multi-lingual family: father a Serb, and Russian mother. I think it is quite natural that I became interested in linguistics. Even as a child I knew that the Serbian and Russian languages ​​are similar, but still different. Now I know what is the difference, and I can explain them, but the fact of childhood aroused interest and surprise.

- Native push you to do the Faculty?

- I very much doubt chosen between mathematics and languages. Once I decided to go to the Olympics in linguistics and became interested in it even more. In particular, because all the participants were given sandwiches and I was very touched. It played a role more and something I dearly loved my German teacher. I wanted to do and learn German Studies in German-speaking countries, so I chose the German branch of Philology at Moscow State University. In the end I quite manage to combine different interests. I actively apply mathematical methods in linguistics, so nothing particularly lost.

- Linguistics - humanities, and mathematics refers to accurate. How do you manage to combine all?

- Now linguists actively used in the statistics and are based on data from a large linguistic corpora, so I can not say that this is very much a humanitarian profession. You can study the language and do not assume anything, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Linguists now all speak less, "That's right, because I was so decided." All statements are proved by quantitative indicators, so without mathematics, At least at the basic level, anywhere.

- How many languages ​​do you know?

- This is a question that linguists always very clever shirk - it is difficult. Say so myself it's not annoying, I can in five languages: Russian, Serbian, English, German, Swedish. Further, as any linguist begin grading: in French, Italian and Spanish I easily read, but speak rather badly. Some languages ​​I know only at the level of grammar: for example, in Mongolian can not read anything either, nor to say.

- Why do you seek to learn different languages? This is similar to collecting?

- I do not think. Linguists - is not the same thing as polyglotsWhich may explain in 180 stores around the world. We often do not teach languages ​​well enough, but have an idea of ​​how they arranged grammar. Acquiring such knowledge, you begin to understand better the linguistic diversity. If you study human anatomy, it is useful to know something about the structure of birds or worms - it will help to understand how to construct people compared to them.

However, in recent years, I have less and less time to sit down with a textbook and learn new words. Sometimes, of course, I read about the grammar for different needs, but consistently teach the language and can not. Becomes more and more cases - and scientific and educational, and organizational.

- What can be engaged scholar after university? Which areas are now the most promising?

- There is a very different field of philology and linguistics, which can be applied in practice. It is clear that it is always available to traditional occupations: editingTranslation. There is another possibility, which is related to computational linguistics, - automatic processing of natural language. It is very fashionable, popular and important area, which helps to develop the voice assistants and chat bots. If a person has an interest in technical work, it is a great option: linguistics approaches to programming and mathematics. The rest are the same opportunities as people with other education. You can engage in adjacent areas, the options are many.

- How much can earn a philologist?

- It depends on where he works. Editors are not so much: the account goes on tens of thousands of rubles. In computer engineering salary above: you can receive hundreds of thousands.

"Changing standards greatly simplifies our lives"

- Why do you love linguistics?

- Most in this profession I like to constantly be in contact with the object of study. I am learning the language and use it every minute or hear statements from others. At any time I can find something interesting around you and think: "And why is it said?"

Just recently a Friend Write a post on Facebook, and has used it in the word "laptop". Ponabezhali linguists, and now all excitedly discussing how to speak in Russian: laptop, notebook or laptop at all. Constantly arise quite suddenly issues and phenomena, behind which is quite interesting to watch.

- What you do not like in this profession?

- How to perceive my work is not very enlightened people. The most common idea of ​​linguist - a man who knows English and now something it translated. It's a little bit annoying.

In a sense, the advantage of which I have just spoken, is a disadvantage. You always live in the language and you can not turn away from him. This is not an office job from 9:00 to 18:00, after which you rest. Linguists are always in the business, and it tires periodically.

- Physicists often turn into nerds, who are trying to teach everyone else how to put the emphasis in the word "calling". You do that?

- I try not to do it. If someone I correct, then the only other linguists. Most often, these are people with whom I am on friendly terms, so that I know exactly what happens entertaining discussion. People of other specialty I'll never be correct, because our communication will collapse immediately. The interviewee will begin to look at me as a bore, which stands on the teachers' position.

You have to understand that in most cases it is important to continue communication than sound smart and very competent. Also notice the changes much more interesting than trying to fix all the world. I do not see a situation in which I say: "Ha, look, it is written in the dictionary in 1973 like this, but you're talking about the wrong." I think it's too much.

- So you do not get annoyed when people around say wrong?

- I have my own point of irritation, but they are not of a general nature. like "wordrings"And" including "do not make me, but I do not like the word" comfortable ". It infuriates, and I can not do anything about it. When people ask me: "Do you feel comfortable?" - really want to give a face. If they say: "Are you comfortable," - will be much more pleasant.

- What mistakes people make in the language most often?

- The question is what we consider errors. Accepted error - is when there are several options and one of them suddenly is declared wrong. These include, for example, the emphasis in the word "including".

I think there are much more interesting things that can be called errors, but many of them do not notice. Recently, I want to explore why people confuse the genitive and prepositional. For example, say "no new tables" instead of "no new tables". Mistake almost invisible, but very common in real life. Interesting not deal with such things, and watch them and study them.

- And how about the fact that the rate of language varies depending on how the people are saying? Such decisions do not provoke ignorance?

- If this does not happen, we will find ourselves in a very difficult situation. Norma hardens, and speaking will change, so we have to know two languages: the normal and routine. In some societies, what happens, for example, literary Arabic is very different from living dialects all communicate. In Russia, at the beginning of the XVIII century the written language was considered Church and spoke all in Russian. I would not want us to be in this situation. Changing standards greatly simplifies our lives.

- And how do you feel about feminitivam?

- Neutral. I can not say that I am a fierce opponent or supporter. The only thing - confuses me that in order to use feminitivov disrupted communication. Instead of discussing the content so people begin to argue about who called the investigator and one researcher. The initial theme is forgotten, and I do not really like.

- What do you think the word "avtorka" ever completely take root in the language?

- The word "avtorka" so often discussed, that was the same token, the word "call": it is difficult to use without strain, because people just stand up on its hind legs. At the same time there are many other feminitivov example, piarschitsa. The word exists, and special claims to him there.

I think, discussed aspects often associated with deep linguistic problems. The fact that the word ending in "ka", a well formed by the tokens with the accent on the last syllable: for example, the words "student" and "student" there are no contradictions. If a accent is on the second syllable from the end, or before, there are difficulties. The word "avtorka" causes rejection because it is contrary to word-formation models of the Russian language, but it is surmountable moment. If such tokens will be more, we will cease to be surprised.

- Is there something completely new language changes that people have not had time to notice?

- New words are constantly appearing. Recently, students have taught me to say "chilit" and "Flex" and I happily picked up and now with pleasure, these words are used. In addition, it is interesting to notice the changes in grammar, they are often not visible to the public. For example, the word "jury" previously meant a group of people, and now it is used in relation to the individual, "the jury decided." In the plural, this phrase sounds like "the jury decided." It makes itself felt in the sense of harmonization, which is in English. It is interesting to see how it will develop in the Russian. Shall we say "Rosgvardiya dispersed the rally?" I do not know we will see.

"Languages ​​of" Game of Thrones "very complicated"

- They say that if you do not use the language of the time, it is forgotten. You travel frequently and apply their knowledge?

- Use knowledge of languages ​​is difficult in today's world. I travel a lot, but I speak mainly in English. Although right now I have a pleasant exception: on of Slavic conference Finland communicate either Slavic or the Scandinavian languages. I listened to a report in Swedish before our conversation, and we can say that the use of their knowledge, but it's still an exotic situation.

Even the German language I use is quite rare, although a master's degree studied in Germany and wrote a thesis in German. In fact, I use it only a few foreign friends.

- You feel that the knowledge of this weakened?

- Everything depends on the language. Knowledge of German, it seems, remain, because I know them well and have to refresh the buffet. Interesting story from the Serbian language, which I consider my second. When I'm in Russia for a long time, he goes by the wayside, but just for a week in Serbia knowledge restored. I do not really understand how it works.

- Some believe that learning a language they simply do not know. It is true, or more like the excuse?

- It's more of an excuse. If you have the motivation and time, at any age can learn human language. Of course, there is a critical period hypothesis, which states that children under 12 years of age can learn a foreign language as their mother, being in a suitable medium. At older ages, it turns out is not so good, but we do not need the support level. Learn a language Anyone can. The main thing - do not give up and work.

- you learn artificial languages ​​- those that were invented by man especially. As they generally create?

- The process is highly dependent on the purpose of creation. Some artificial languages ​​are coming up to change the world. People think that natural languages ​​are illogical and inconsistent, so they create another - one that is devoid of flaws. Another goal - to offer a language that all will be easy to learn to use it for international communication. Such relates Esperanto. Some languages ​​provide for fun: they say in the fictional universes. The most famous example - languages ​​Tolkien.

- There are some rules that necessarily follow when creating artificial languages? I can not say that the bow in my universe will be named differently, and everything?

- It depends on how much detail you have to write their own language. For example, George RR Martin books'Song of Ice and Fire"Did something like this, as you say. Dothraki and valyrian languages ​​were limited to a few dozen words, then there are very undeveloped. When they began to shoot the series "Game of Thrones", hired a linguist David Peterson, who invented grammar and still a lot of words.

- After the success of "Game of Thrones" has become very popular not only Emilia Clarke, but the Dothraki language. There is a chance that one day on it is really a conspiracy?

- Not. Languages ​​of the "Game of Thrones" is very complicated, especially valiriysky. Now Duolingo on it there is a course, but this is more fun. Imagine the people who will use it, it is difficult in reality. The more that the enthusiasm around the "Game of Thrones" is gradually subsiding.

Of artificial languages ​​of works of art lives only Klingon Language alien race from the TV series "Star Trek." - Approx. Ed. . Several dozen people really talk to him and get together to talk. For that to happen, interest in the product must be heated constantly. According to "Star Trek" remove new TV series and full-length movies. Without such support, the language would be difficult to survive. But Tolkien's people learn languages, but in reality they do not speak, so they are likely dead.

- I heard that you are developing an artificial language for the Russian film. How long does it take to create it?

- It depends on what we call artificial language. If this version of "Game of Thrones", it will take a lot of time. In my case, the active work took about a month and then I was doing modifications. So far, unfortunately, I can not tell anything specific language, sorry.

"I like to lie in bed with a laptop»

- How does your workplace?

- Like many modern people, my workplace - computer. It can be anywhere, but most of all I like to lie in bed with a laptop. I think, so it works best. However, if you want to lay next to the computer paper, it is not very convenient, it is necessary to move the table. All scientific books, I also stored in the computer so that you can refer to them from anywhere. It is much more convenient than having a physical library at work.

- You take what some techniques of time management?

- At one time I thought I should use something like this, because I do not have time, and with what can not cope. More often than not my desire for productivity it ends up that I make a record in the diary or looking for some to-do list on paper that are lost safely. Regularly I use only "Google calendaring». In it I bring meetings, lectures, class schedules at the university. More I use Evernote - it is both your phone and computer. Sometimes I write something in Todoist, but irregularly.

- Which applications are using in everyday life? For example, to relax?

- In such cases, I have a game. One time, I often went into the Mini Metro, and now play Bubble Blast - smash balls. I do not like shooters and active simulations that require voltage and fast response. Much more fun I get from the games that help to unload and about anything not to think.

I use the app to travel around the city. When in Moscow appeared "Yandex. Transport ", I hung out and watched for 10 minutes as a moving map icons familiar buses. I also like Citymapper application - in the capital, it works rather well and builds routes are better than the "Yandex". However, their knowledge about the city I still trust more: he usually does a better job than the program.

More in my phone has an application "Poems by Russian poets." From time to time, when I want to relax, run display random poetry and I read. If you really liked it, and I can learn by heart.

- What about the applications or services that help to learn languages ​​and to expand vocabulary?

- For these purposes, I found Duolingo. At one time I used it to teach Hungarian, but nothing really happened. Recently traveled as a jury member at the International Olympiad in Linguistics in South Korea, and before leaving to learn a little Korean. Again, I can not say that has achieved great success.

- what to do in your free time?

- Recently, I began to get involved in sports not trivial - do curling. It turned out it's not just strange people pushing stones over the ice, and a very exciting game. In the summer there are other classes. Tomorrow I'll fly to Moscow to ride on a yacht on the reservoir. In general, it is sometimes nice to just walk around and read a book on a bench.

Layfhakerstvo from Alexander Piperski

books

From literature most strongly influenced me the book that I carried away during adolescence. Immediately call the two authors: Bertolt Brecht with his plays and Nikolai Gumilyov, whose poems I know by heart in the complete works volume. These people have made me a very strong impression in my life, so I'm still inseparable from them.

If somewhere to move, take care of that on the shelf there was a volume of Gumilyov - it is desirable that the newspaper, which my grandfather bought in 1989. And Bertolt Brecht I just re-read but also watch performances of his plays. 15 years ago I made a collection of records "Threepenny Opera". Now it is not so interesting, because most of the performances can be found on iTunes, but I still have great pleasure in their pereslushivayu.

Of popular science literature is most influenced me from the Encyclopedia "Avanta +". There are some quite remarkable volumes: mathematics, linguistics and Russian language and Russian history of the twentieth century. I read them with great pleasure, and even now from time to time to back him.

Movies and Series

From cinema I have much less close relationship than with books. I usually do not have enough attention, to watch a feature-length film immediately is that lies next to the phone, I would like a cup of tea or read a book. In general, look movie two o'clock - an ordeal, but sometimes I get.

I seized the "Game of Thrones", which I love to see, not only due to the fact that there are artificial languages. In this story, there is beauty and an interesting plot. However, I too love the warmth and south, so I was a little annoyed by the northern scene - like them to run out quickly. More note the film "We - the geeks" about the recovery of Germany after the war. I dearly love him and sometimes revised.

Podcasts and videos

Here, I will not be original. From what I watch for the time, - "PostNauka" and "Arzamas". A little bit funny, because both projects I speak, but look and listen I'm not myself, so it's not as scary as it may seem. Then act on the situation, if arrived interesting link to Facebook, I can go and see.

Blogs and Websites

news I usually found on the Meduza, a reading on the analytics Republic. From time to time I go to LiveJournal, but the tape is there mainly consists of posts Varlamov and more couples transport activists - such as Arcadia Gershman enjoy reading.