2025.3

The article presents a historical and bibliographic sketch of the manuscript “Translation of the Sacred Book of the Foyan Sect called Fo niu jin gang jing, meaning The Adamant Book, or The Adamant-like Book of Foy’s Teaching” by Hieromonk (later Archimandrite) Daniil (Dmitry Petrovich Sivillov, 1798-1877), stored in the Department of Manuscripts and Rare Books (15322, II/44, l. 1-3 vol.) of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University. The manuscript is an unfinished draft translation from Kumarajiva’s (early 5th century) Chinese version of the canonical Buddhist Diamond Sutra. This translation, done in Beijing around 1828, precedes the German translation of the Diamond Sutra from Tibetan by Russian academician J.I. Schmidt published in 1837, hence ought to be seen as the first attempt of this sutra translation into a European language. The bibliographic descriptions of the manuscript by A.I. Artemiev (1882, 1884), J. von Gottwald (1884), Henri Cordier (1893, 1904), A.A. Petrov (1937) and P.E. Skachkov (1977) are discussed. Erroneous transcription fo niu for fo shuo (‘Buddha speaks’) in the title of the Chinese original; the obsolete Russian ‘adamant’ for ‘diamond’ as well as the obsolete ‘Fo’ and ‘Foy’ for the name of Buddha are pointed out in particular. A.I. Artemyev’s bibliographic description undertaken between 1844 and 1851 is valued as the original one, while all the others must have been the secondary follow-ups. A.I. Artemyev had provided dating of the manuscript based on the filigree (watermark) of its paper. Although The Diamond Sutra is of prime importance for Buddhism, Fr. Daniil’s translation has been overlooked by historiographers. Unpublished works on Buddhism by Fr. Daniel, along with the works of J.I. Schmidt, J.S. Kowalewski, and some other scholars, provide a basis for revising the historiography of Russian Buddhology, highlighting its initial or preliminary stage in the first half of the 19th century.

The article provides a detailed examination of the influence of the ethnolinguistic factor on the formation of new administrative units in modern India. It focuses particularly on the analysis of the planning and implementation process of the administrative reform conducted in 1956, which became a key stage in shaping the country’s internal structure based on ethnolinguistic criteria. The study explores the mechanisms through which the ethnolinguistic characteristics of regions were considered in the creation of new states, as well as the views of various political figures such as V. Patel and J. Nehru regarding these issues. Additionally, it addresses contemporary trends and prospects concerning the impact of India’s language policies on current and future administrative processes. The article also analyses the development of the country’s administrative division amid ongoing linguistic diversity and considers the role of government policy in maintaining the balance between national unity and regional identity. Overall, the paper is a study of the historical ethnolinguistic contradictions in India and their influence on the administrative system, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the linguistic factor for the stability and development of the state.

After the Ottoman conquest of Syria and Palestine, the cities of the Holy Land became part of a strategically important region connecting several parts of the empire, but remained an unchanged meeting place for Christian, Jewish and Muslim civilizations. Traders, emigrants and pilgrims from different countries crossed paths in Syria and Palestine - they witnessed and described in letters and memoirs the changes that took place in the Eastern Mediterranean during the Ottoman era. A network of diverse contacts intertwined Jewish communities due to the dispersion of the Jewish diaspora across Mediterranean countries. Jewish immigrants and visitors to the Holy Land exchanged news and established ties that spread to different parts of the Mediterranean and involved representatives of various groups and institutions of Jewish society. Their notes cover urban life in the Middle East in the 16th century, the evolution of settlements in Palestine, and the formation of the image of the foreigner. Moreover, they reveal a key feature of Jewish socio-cultural life: the existence of a system of well-established bonds between communities as a means of survival. The article analyses contacts between the Holy Land and neighbouring Mediterranean countries by the example of communication between Jewish communities in Syria and Palestine, Italy and North Africa, taking into account the historical realities of the Ottoman era. The geography of connections, the subjects of letters, the place of the Holy Land in the system of communication between the diaspora centers of the Levant, and the participation of emigrants in the socio-cultural life of the Mediterranean in the 16th-early 17th centuries are examined.

This article examines how the Soviet Union was portrayed in materials from the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the age of apartheid, using the magazine “African Communist” as an example. The issue of the USSR’s image in South African communist publications is connected to broader themes, such as how the Soviet Union was perceived in South African socio-political discussions during apartheid and the characteristics of the discourse in the global communist press during the latter half of the 20th century. These issues are particularly relevant given the current active development of Russian-South African relations and the related interest in the history of Soviet-South African relations. Additionally, problems associated with forming the image of another country - and the related discursive practices - are especially relevant in the era of digital media and accelerated information exchange. This work identifies the key features of the USSR’s image as a leading socialist power in the journal’s materials from its founding in 1959 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It uses the tools of imagology, an interdisciplinary field that studies the sociocultural dimensions of subjects. Despite changes in South Africa, the USSR, and the world, the main features of the Soviet Union’s image in the journal remained unchanged throughout the studied period. The USSR was largely mythologized in the “African Communist”: it was presented as a role model for developing countries and as the foundation of the global socialist movement. When discussing conflicts between the USSR and other socialist states, the magazine’s authors invariably took the USSR’s side. When mentioning contradictions within the USSR, the authors emphasized the Soviet leadership’s ability to admit mistakes. Such features of the Soviet Union’s image in the magazine can be explained by the USSR’s status as a key ally of the South African Communist Party and the important role its image played as a propaganda tool in shaping a picture of the socialist future of Africa.

The article examines the peculiarities of the description of the participation of representatives of noble families in the political struggle during the reign of Han Gaozu, Liu Bang (202-195 B.C.), in the second part of the first chapter of Han shu (漢書 “History of Han”). The analysis of the content of “historical-literary” texts from this chapter, adjacent to historical texts, makes it possible to study the peculiarities of the struggle for power between the emperor and representatives of various elite groups of hereditary nobility. An open and direct designation of the circumstances of this struggle was apparently not always possible due to the long-lasting influence of the political forces involved. Therefore, historiographers limited themselves to mentioning various personalities, which indirectly indicates the involvement of particular political groups of the hereditary aristocracy of early imperial China in the struggle for power.

The article examines the terminological apparatus of the grammatical description of the Chinese language (wenyan) in Zhong deng guo wen dian (1907). This textbook was written in the initial period of developing approaches to describing the native language in China. During this extremely significant period, basic terms, which are also used by modern linguists, were formed. The study revealed that: 1) Zhang Shizhao distinguishes between words and morphemes, designating them as ci and zi; 2) the author sees understanding of word structure as an integral part of the study of grammar, and therefore introduces the corresponding terms; 3) since ci and zi are strictly distinguished, the variant ci is used to name classes when classifying vocabulary; 4) in the field of sentence analysis, the new terminology reflected: a) a different approach to describing the system of sentence parts; b) the need to describe the types of sentences; 5) the system of parts of speech has not undergone any fundamental changes compared to “Ma shi wen tong” (1898), although some terms have been reworked. Zhong deng guo wen dian is oriented toward the European canon of grammatical description of language, which is reflected in the author’s concepts. While earlier works introduced new terminology very cautiously, Zhang Shizhao, on the contrary, is not afraid to propose new interpretations and terms.

This article examines the main principles for describing the broken plural as presented by Ibn Yaʿīsh (13th c.) and notes the main differences between his treatment and that of Sībawayhi (8th c.), the author of the earliest extant grammatical treatise, which makes it possible to gain an idea of how this topic developed in traditional Arabic grammar. The broken plural is of particular interest because of the large number of patterns (more than 30) and the rather complex algorithm for choosing a broken-plural form for a given singular form, and it is precisely this type of plural that receives the most attention in the treatise Sharḥ al-Mufaṣṣal.

This study addresses the critical scientific problem of how urbanization processes influence the dynamics of dialect continua in the unique multi-substrate region of Western Anatolia, where the tension between preserving dialectal features and language standardization is particularly acute. The objective of this work is to conduct a comprehensive linguogeographic and demographic analysis of the transformation of the Turkish dialect continuum under urbanization. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were accomplished: 1) identifying key characteristics of the continuum (phonetic, lexical, morphological); 2) analyzing the impact of demographic factors (migration, age structure) on language change; 3) determining the mechanisms of urbanization effects (hyperurbanization, accommodation); and 4) constructing a predictive linguogeographic model. The object of study is the Turkish dialect continuum in Western Anatolia, while the subject focuses on its dynamics under urbanization and demographic influences. The hypothesis regarding the reduction of dialectal boundaries and the emergence of hybrid forms has been empirically confirmed. A multidisciplinary methodological framework was employed, including field methods (audio recordings of 120 speakers stratified by age/migration status), linguogeographic mapping in QGIS (80 parameters), demographic analysis (TÜİK data), and statistical modeling (R, SPSS). Key findings include:1) A three-zone transformation was identified: a 43% reduction (1990-2023) in the Aegean palatalization area, the emergence of hybrid regiolects (e.g., düyme for “button”), and the preservation of relic clusters (isolation index > 0.9); 2) Demographic factors account for 85% of linguistic variability (β = 0.92 for correlation “proportion of 60+ speakers → agglutination preservation”); 3) A “mosaic resilience” model and LVI index were developed to predict language shifts. Practical significance: The results are applicable for safeguarding linguistic heritage (priority documentation of LVI > 0.8 zones) and language policy planning.

Researchers and practitioners studying traditional Chinese medicine often encounter difficulties in interpreting ancient texts; among the problems most frequently noted are ambiguous words and meanings and the abundance of specialised, outdated vocabulary. With regard to the treatise Huang-di nei jing. Su wen, there is a substantial body of research on its medical aspects, whereas works devoted specifically to its philological analysis are relatively few. The aim of this paper is to clarify the original meaning of key terms using the first chapter of Huang-di nei jing. Su wen as a case study. This article proposes a method for analysing terms based on the approaches of V.S. Spirin and A.M. Karapetyants. The method involves a step-by-step structural analysis of the text, the identification of parallel constructions, the explication of pairs with antonymous, synonymous and adjacent relations between components, and the subsequent classification of each pair. This approach makes it possible not only to analyse the structure of Chinese texts, but also to develop a more systematic way of interpreting ancient medical texts in general. The proposed method can be applied to other ancient Chinese texts, both medical and philosophical, and can contribute to the development of communication studies by promoting a more accurate understanding of the information reflected in ancient texts.

This article examines the structural features of newspaper headlines in the Korean language from a grammatical and stylistic perspective. It focuses on classifying headline types based on their form: nominal constructions, participial forms, full-sentence headlines (both declarative and interrogative), and those ending in case markers or adverbs. A comparison with Russian headlines is made, highlighting differences in frequency and usage. Special attention is given to the stylistic function of grammatical omission, the dropping of predicates, and speaker orientation in Korean, which are critical for accurate translation from Russian into Korean. The article discusses the challenges faced by Russian-speaking translators in preserving both authenticity and clarity when rendering headlines. It provides practical recommendations for using the most common and linguistically safe types of headlines, especially for non-native speakers. It emphasizes that choosing the appropriate headline structure requires not only grammatical knowledge but also an intuitive sense of Korean journalistic style.The material is useful for students studying Korean, instructors in East Asian studies, as well as translators and journalists working with Korean-language sources.

The article examines how the theme of World War II is reflected in modern Turkish literature, using as an example Z. Livaneli’s well-known novel “Serenade” (2011). The focus is on the perspective from which this theme is presented in the novel - the genocide of the Jewish people during the war, as expressed in the plot and the system of images. Particular importance is attached to the documentary factual material used by Z. Livaneli. Real facts from the wartime past are woven into the everyday life of contemporary Turkey in the novel, helping readers to better understand the tragedy of the protagonist and to appreciate his contribution to the anti-fascist struggle. The article also highlights markers of the belletristic code employed by the writer: the intertwining in the novel of the classical tradition of “high” literature with the templates of popular fiction.

The People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India have traditionally shared similar economic development goals, but their principles for achieving them differ. While both countries initially relied on five-year plans, their paths began to diverge by the end of the 20th century. China continued to refine its system of prescriptive five-year plans, building on its accumulated experience. Meanwhile, India abandoned this approach by creating the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog). The new model is based on a series of coordinated plans of varying timeframes, fostering cooperative federalism and the development of grassroots innovation that more closely responds to local needs. Thus, China’s centralized model and India’s decentralized system represent contrasting governance philosophies. Despite this, both demonstrate a key capacity for adaptation, ensuring resilience and technological transformation. The experiences of China and India, their ability to flexibly respond to global challenges and long-term risks, serve as valuable guidance for other developing economies.

In recent years, global and regional crises have prompted Japan to strengthen its defense capabilities, deepen military alliances, and develop a network of strategic partnerships both within the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. A country that for decades relied primarily on its alliance with the United States is now seeking to become a more active and autonomous regional actor that helps shape rules and build coalitions. Despite a growing body of research on Japan’s foreign policy strategy, the implications of the course toward strengthening Japan’s international role in the field of security remain insufficiently explored, particularly in terms of how this approach influences regional cooperation frameworks such as QUAD and Japan’s engagement with ASEAN countries. The article examines Japan’s use of the FOIP and QUAD frameworks as instruments of foreign policy influence and advancement of strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The relevance of the topic is underscored by the intensifying geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the escalating situation around Taiwan, and China’s increasing military and political activity. Japan’s shift toward a more active role in regional security highlights the internal contradiction between its constitutionally enshrined limitations and the growing need to contribute to the regional security order. This tension presents a key challenge for the current cabinet: to maintain economically beneficial relations with China while adhering to a security discourse centered on military buildup and responding to U.S. demands for a greater Japanese contribution to regional defense.

The Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), launched by Japan in 2022, represents a new platform for regional cooperation in the fields of decarbonization and green energy. The article examines the key parameters of AZEC’s formation, its institutional characteristics, and the preliminary results of its implementation in 2023-2024. At this stage, AZEC functions as a flexible coordination framework without a strict international legal basis, which allows adaptation to diverse national contexts but simultaneously creates risks of limited long-term sustainability. Particular attention is given to the analysis of projects implemented in Southeast Asian countries and Australia, including hydrogen and ammonia technologies, biomass power generation, microgrids, and energy management systems. Case studies from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other participants highlight the multi-level nature of cooperation, encompassing energy, industry, and the agricultural sector. Despite its modest quantitative impact (approximately 0.0785% of the region’s total installed capacity by the end of 2024), the initiative’s qualitative significance lies in piloting innovative technologies, shaping the institutional foundations of climate policy, and strengthening a regional “ecosystem” structured around Japanese technological solutions. At this stage, AZEC functions primarily as a mechanism for demonstrating and testing models of low-carbon development, as well as a channel for the transfer of norms, knowledge, and governance practices. Its contribution to the energy transition in East Asia is therefore less about immediate capacity expansion and more about creating the conditions for future scaling of Japan’s energy sector in the region and deepening of green cooperation.