Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'ethnography'

English Word: ethnography

Key Russian Translations:

• этнография [ɪtnɐˈɡrafʲɪjə] - [Formal, Academic]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in academic, anthropological, or research contexts, but less frequent in everyday conversation).

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

Pronunciation (Russian):

этнография: [ɪtnɐˈɡrafʲɪjə]

Note on этнография: The stress falls on the third syllable ("graf"), which is a common challenge for English speakers. The "г" is pronounced as a soft [ɡ] in this context. Variations may occur in regional dialects.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The study of ethnic groups, cultures, and social phenomena through immersive research.

Translation(s) & Context:

• этнография - Used in formal academic writing or discussions about anthropology, often in contexts involving fieldwork or cultural analysis.

Usage Examples:

• Этнография позволяет глубже понять традиции разных народов.

  Ethnography allows for a deeper understanding of the traditions of different peoples.

• В ходе этнографического исследования мы собрали ценные данные о сельских общинах.

  During the ethnographic study, we collected valuable data on rural communities.

• Современная этнография часто сочетается с цифровыми методами сбора информации.

  Modern ethnography often combines with digital methods for information gathering.

• Этнография как наука развивалась в России с XIX века.

  Ethnography as a science developed in Russia from the 19th century.

• Без этнографии невозможно полностью осмыслить культурные различия.

  Without ethnography, it's impossible to fully comprehend cultural differences.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Этнография" is a feminine noun (feminine gender, third declension in Russian). It follows regular patterns for most Russian nouns but has specific inflections based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its declensions:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender but changes predictably with case, as shown. There are no irregular forms for this standard noun.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: этнология (ethnology - focuses more on the science of ethnic origins, with subtle differences in scope); фольклористика (folklore studies - overlaps in cultural aspects)
• Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms, as this is a specific field of study, but contrasting concepts might include унификация (unification) in a broader cultural context.

Related Phrases:

• Полевая этнография - Field ethnography; refers to on-site research in natural settings.
• Этнографические исследования - Ethnographic studies; used for systematic investigations of cultures.
• Современная этнография - Modern ethnography; implies contemporary methods and approaches.

Usage Notes:

This term directly corresponds to the English "ethnography" and is primarily used in academic or professional contexts in Russian. It is formal and should be avoided in casual conversations. When choosing between translations, "этнография" is the most precise for general ethnographic work, while related terms like "этнология" might be used if the focus is more on theoretical origins. Pay attention to case agreements in sentences, as Russian requires nouns to inflect based on their role (e.g., in genitive for possession).

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "этнография" with "этнология" and using them interchangeably. Incorrect: "Этнология изучает традиции" (when meaning fieldwork). Correct: "Этнография изучает традиции" for hands-on cultural research. Explanation: "Этнология" emphasizes the study of ethnic origins, while "этнография" focuses on descriptive, immersive methods.

• Error: Failing to inflect the noun correctly in sentences. Incorrect: "Я изучаю этнография" (missing case agreement). Correct: "Я изучаю этнографию" (accusative case). Explanation: Russian verbs require objects to match the appropriate case, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russia, ethnography has deep historical roots, particularly through the works of 19th-century scholars like the Russian Geographical Society. It often carries connotations of preserving national identity and documenting indigenous cultures, such as those of Siberia's ethnic groups, reflecting Russia's vast cultural diversity.

Related Concepts:

• антропология (anthropology)
• фольклористика (folklore studies)
• культурология (cultural studies)