Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'dissertation'

English Word: dissertation

Key Russian Translations:

• диссертация [dʲɪsʲɪrˈtatsɨjə] - [Formal, Academic context]

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

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; Requires familiarity with academic vocabulary and Russian noun declensions)

Pronunciation (Russian):

диссертация: [dʲɪsʲɪrˈtatsɨjə]

Note on диссертация: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("ta"), which is common in Russian loanwords. Be mindful of the palatalized 'd' sound at the beginning, which can be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

A long essay on a particular subject, especially one written for a university degree.

Translation(s) & Context:

• диссертация - Used in formal academic settings, such as universities, to refer to a doctoral or master's thesis; Common in scientific and research discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Он успешно защитил свою диссертацию по современной литературе.

  He successfully defended his dissertation on modern literature.

• Её диссертация была опубликована в престижном журнале.

  Her dissertation was published in a prestigious journal.

• Студент тратит годы на написание диссертации для получения степени.

  The student spends years writing a dissertation to obtain a degree.

• Диссертация профессора охватывает исторические аспекты русской культуры.

  The professor's dissertation covers historical aspects of Russian culture.

• Комитет одобрил диссертацию, но потребовал некоторых доработок.

  The committee approved the dissertation but requested some revisions.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Диссертация" is a feminine noun of the first declension in Russian. It follows regular patterns for most cases but can vary based on number and grammatical case. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This word does not have irregular forms, making it relatively straightforward for learners, but always pay attention to case endings in sentences.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: тезис (thesis; more general, often used for shorter works), монография (monograph; a detailed scholarly work). Note: "Тезис" is less formal and can refer to a proposition, while "диссертация" specifically implies a degree-related document.
• Antonyms: краткий обзор (brief overview; implies a shorter, less comprehensive work), эссе (essay; a non-academic, shorter piece).

Related Phrases:

• Защитить диссертацию - To defend a dissertation; A formal process where a candidate presents and defends their work before a committee.
• Написать диссертацию - To write a dissertation; Refers to the extensive research and writing phase in academia.
• Диссертация по теме - Dissertation on a topic; Used to specify the subject area, e.g., in academic discussions.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "диссертация" directly corresponds to the English "dissertation" in academic contexts, but it is almost exclusively used for advanced degrees like PhDs. It carries a formal tone and is rarely used in casual conversation. When choosing between translations, opt for "диссертация" in scholarly settings; for shorter works, "тезис" might be more appropriate. Grammatically, ensure it agrees with the case required by the sentence structure, such as in prepositional phrases (e.g., "о диссертации" for "about the dissertation"). English speakers should note that Russian academic culture emphasizes oral defenses, so phrases like "защитить диссертацию" are culturally significant.

Common Errors:

• Common Error: Confusing "диссертация" with "тезис" and using it for shorter essays. Incorrect: "Я написал тезис для университета" (when meaning a full dissertation). Correct: "Я написал диссертацию для университета." Explanation: "Тезис" refers to a thesis statement or shorter work, while "диссертация" is for comprehensive, degree-level documents. This mix-up can lead to underrepresenting the scope of the work.

• Common Error: Forgetting case endings, e.g., using nominative "диссертация" in genitive contexts. Incorrect: "Книга о диссертация" (should be "диссертации"). Correct: "Книга о диссертации." Explanation: Russian requires nouns to change based on case, so always check the governing preposition or verb.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, a "диссертация" is a cornerstone of academic and professional advancement, often required for obtaining a "кандидат наук" (Candidate of Sciences) or doctoral degree. The defense process, known as "защита," is a public event that can involve rigorous questioning, reflecting Russia's emphasis on intellectual rigor and debate in education. This cultural practice highlights the value placed on expertise and original research in fields like science and humanities.

Related Concepts:

• кандидатская (referring to a candidate's dissertation for a specific degree)
• докторская (doctoral dissertation)
• научная работа (scientific work)