Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'atavism'

English Word: atavism

Key Russian Translations:

• атавизм [ɐˈtavʲɪzm] - [Formal, Scientific]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in academic, scientific, and professional contexts; not common in everyday conversation)

Difficulty: Advanced (C1-C2, suitable for learners with a strong grasp of Russian vocabulary and grammar, as it involves specialized terminology)

Pronunciation (Russian):

атавизм: [ɐˈtavʲɪzm]

Note on атавизм: The stress falls on the second syllable ("ta-"), which is common in borrowed scientific terms. Pay attention to the palatalized 'v' sound, represented as [ʲ], which can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The reappearance of ancestral characteristics in biology or psychology

Translation(s) & Context:

• атавизм - Used in scientific discussions to describe the sudden emergence of traits from distant ancestors, typically in formal or academic settings.

Usage Examples:

• В эволюционной биологии атавизм часто объясняется мутациями, возвращающими организм к признакам его предков.

  In evolutionary biology, atavism is often explained by mutations that return an organism to traits of its ancestors.

• Психологи изучают атавизм как проявление инстинктов, унаследованных от ранних этапов эволюции человека.

  Psychologists study atavism as a manifestation of instincts inherited from early stages of human evolution.

• Пример атавизма в животном мире — это когда у потомков исчезнувших видов появляются рудиментарные органы, подобные тем, что были у их предков.

  An example of atavism in the animal world is when descendants of extinct species develop rudimentary organs similar to those of their ancestors.

• В генетике атавизм может быть вызван рецессивными генами, которые активизируются спустя поколения.

  In genetics, atavism can be caused by recessive genes that become active after generations.

• Художники иногда используют метафору атавизма, чтобы описать возрождение древних культурных традиций в современном искусстве.

  Artists sometimes use the metaphor of atavism to describe the revival of ancient cultural traditions in modern art.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Атавизм" is a masculine noun (мужской род) of the second declension in Russian. It follows regular noun inflection patterns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its basic inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular inflections, making it straightforward for learners once basic declension rules are understood.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • регрессия (regression) - Often used in a broader evolutionary context, but less specific to ancestral traits.
  • архаизм (archaism) - Refers to outdated or primitive features, with a slight cultural connotation.
• Antonyms:
  • прогресс (progress) - Implies advancement or evolution forward, contrasting with the backward nature of atavism.
  • инновация (innovation) - Highlights new developments, opposite to the re-emergence of old traits.

Related Phrases:

• генетический атавизм - Genetic atavism; refers to inherited traits from distant ancestors in a biological context.
• культурный атавизм - Cultural atavism; used to describe the revival of ancient customs in modern society.
• эволюционный атавизм - Evolutionary atavism; a phrase in scientific discussions about species regression.

Usage Notes:

"Атавизм" directly corresponds to the English "atavism" as a borrowed term, primarily in scientific fields like biology and psychology. It is almost exclusively used in formal contexts, so avoid it in casual conversations. When using in sentences, ensure correct case agreement; for example, in the genitive case, it becomes "атавизма" to indicate possession or origin. If multiple translations exist, "атавизм" is the most precise; choose it over synonyms like "регрессия" when emphasizing ancestral reversion. Be mindful of its abstract nature, which requires context for clarity.

Common Errors:

• Confusing case endings: Learners often use the nominative "атавизм" in all contexts. Incorrect: "Я изучаю атавизм" (when it should be genitive in some phrases). Correct: "Я изучаю атавизма в биологии" (to show "of atavism"). Explanation: Russian nouns must agree in case with prepositions and verbs, so always check the sentence structure.

• Mispronouncing the word: Non-natives might stress the wrong syllable, saying [ˈatavʲɪzm] instead of [ɐˈtavʲɪzm]. Incorrect pronunciation can lead to misunderstandings. Correct: Practice with audio to master the second-syllable stress.

• Overgeneralizing the term: Using it interchangeably with "регрессия" without nuance. Incorrect: "Это регрессия в эволюции" when meaning atavism. Correct: Specify "атавизм" for ancestral traits. Explanation: While related, they aren't synonyms, so context matters.

Cultural Notes:

"Атавизм" is a scientific term without strong cultural connotations in Russian, as it was borrowed from Western biology. However, it can metaphorically appear in discussions of Russian literature or history, such as in works by authors like Dostoevsky, where it symbolizes the resurgence of primal human instincts, reflecting broader themes in Russian intellectual thought about human nature and society.

Related Concepts:

• эволюция (evolution)
• генетика (genetics)
• мутация (mutation)
• архаизм (archaism)