State Duma deputy Tatyana Butskaya has proposed translating the term “childless” into Russian. The news was reported by DEA News.
Butskaya referred to the February 2023 law aimed at restricting the use of foreign words within areas where Russian serves as the state language. The law, approved by President Vladimir Putin, outlines sectors where Russian must be the dominant language for official use. These include education, government and municipal information systems, and communications for consumers of goods, services, and business information.
Under the law, when a foreign language text appears in any of these designated fields, the Russian version must match the layout and technical presentation. The rule emphasizes parallel presentation in both languages, ensuring the Russian text aligns with the original in terms of format and visibility.
Additionally, the law bars the use of Russian terms that do not conform to contemporary literary norms in official state communications. Exceptions are reserved for words that lack widely used Russian equivalents and are listed in standard dictionaries, allowing for certain specialized terms to remain when no natural translation exists.
As Butskaya noted, there was already a broad acceptance that Russia should be “de-Anglophone” in official public discourse. He stressed that legal norms demand compliance with the law, underscoring the expectation that government and state bodies adhere to the linguistic standard prescribed by lawmakers.
The deputy also mentioned that the State Duma Committee on Family, Women and Children is examining a bill aimed at limiting the spread of “childless” information among minors. The authors listed are State Duma deputy Elvira Aitkulova and the Bashkortostan Provincial Assembly. Butskaya argued that the term should be Russianized in line with the law’s requirements, asserting that the translation obligation applies broadly across federal and regional channels.
Questions have been raised about how these language changes would be perceived in everyday life. Phrases that imply the absence of children can carry cultural and social implications, and lawmakers are weighing whether such expressions should be avoided in educational and informational materials accessible to young audiences. Critics warn that rapid changes could lead to confusion or misinterpretation, while supporters say standardizing terminology strengthens national linguistic unity and clarity in public communications.
Elena Yampolskaya, the former chairperson of the Russian State Duma Committee on Culture, has spoken about procedural expectations tied to replacing foreign words with Russian equivalents as part of the draft law’s implementation. She indicated that, ahead of 2025, authorities plan to substitute foreign terms with Russian analogues wherever feasible and to publish normative dictionaries and reference resources to support consistent usage across government and public life.
In this broader context, observers are watching how the linguistic reforms will unfold in schools, local governments, and consumer-facing information systems. The goal appears to be a cohesive Russian language environment in which official texts are accessible and culturally resonant, while still accommodating essential terminology when a precise Russian counterpart is absent.
Ultimately, the discussion centers on balancing linguistic purity with practical communication needs. If the law’s interpretations hold, agencies and organizations may be required to perform careful text reviews, ensuring Russian equivalents are provided that reflect current usage and official standards. The conversation continues to evolve as committees prepare guidance and dictionaries to support nationwide compliance and to minimize disruption in everyday administration and public life. .