Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'polemical'

English Word: polemical

Key Russian Translations:

• полемический [pəlʲɪˈmʲitɕɪskʲɪj] - [Formal]

Frequency: Medium (Common in academic, journalistic, and intellectual discussions, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B2 (Upper Intermediate; requires familiarity with formal vocabulary and abstract concepts)

Pronunciation (Russian):

полемический: [pəlʲɪˈmʲitɕɪskʲɪj]

Note on полемический: The stress falls on the fourth syllable ("mi"). Be cautious with the palatalized 'l' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Involving or constituting a polemic; relating to argumentative or controversial discourse.

Translation(s) & Context:

• полемический - Used in formal contexts such as debates, essays, or academic writing to describe something that is argumentative or provocative.

Usage Examples:

• Эта статья имеет полемический характер, вызывая жаркие споры среди читателей.

  This article has a polemical character, sparking heated debates among readers.

• В его полемической речи он критиковал правительственную политику.

  In his polemical speech, he criticized the government's policy.

• Полемический стиль писателя сделал его книги популярными в интеллектуальных кругах.

  The polemical style of the writer made his books popular in intellectual circles.

• Её эссе было полемическим, но убедительным аргументом в пользу реформ.

  Her essay was a polemical but convincing argument in favor of reforms.

• Полемический подход к истории часто приводит к новым открытиям.

  A polemical approach to history often leads to new discoveries.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Полемический" is an adjective in Russian, which means it changes based on gender, number, and case. It follows the standard pattern for adjectives ending in -ический. Below is a table outlining its key inflections:

Note: This adjective is regular, so it doesn't have irregular forms, making it straightforward once the pattern is learned.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: спорный (spornыy) - More general, implying something debatable; контроверсионный (kontroversionnyy) - Emphasizes controversy, often in modern contexts.
• Antonyms: нейтральный (neytral'nyy) - Neutral, lacking any argumentative tone.

Related Phrases:

• Полемическая дискуссия - A polemical discussion; often used in academic or political settings to describe heated debates.
• Полемический текст - A polemical text; refers to writings that aim to provoke or argue a point.
• Вести полемику - To engage in polemic; a phrase for actively participating in argumentative exchanges.

Usage Notes:

"Полемический" directly corresponds to the English "polemical" in meaning, emphasizing argumentative or controversial elements. It is typically restricted to formal or intellectual contexts, such as literature, philosophy, or media discussions, and is not used in casual conversation. When choosing this word over synonyms like "спорный," opt for "полемический" if the focus is on structured debate rather than simple disagreement. Grammatically, ensure it agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, as per standard Russian adjective rules.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "полемический" interchangeably with "проблемный" (problematic), assuming they both mean something contentious. Correct usage: "Проблемный" refers to something causing problems, while "полемический" specifically means argumentative. Example of error: "Эта идея полемическая" (when it should be "проблемная" if discussing issues). Correct: "Эта идея полемическая" only if it's debate-oriented.

• Error: Forgetting to inflect the adjective properly, e.g., using "полемический" with a feminine noun without changing it to "полемическая." Correct: Always match the adjective to the noun's gender and case for grammatical accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, polemical works have a rich history, particularly in literature and philosophy. For instance, during the Soviet era, polemical essays were common in intellectual circles to critique ideologies, as seen in the works of authors like Alexander Solzhenitsyn. This reflects Russia's tradition of vigorous public debate, where such language is valued for fostering critical thinking.

Related Concepts:

• дискуссия (discussion)
• спор (argument)
• конфликт (conflict)