Krasnoyarsk experts explained which words on signs will be banned from March 1

Experts from the Siberian Federal University analyzed with specific examples what can and cannot be placed on facades and shop windows after the law on the protection of the Russian language comes into force.

As explained by Candidate of Legal Sciences Larisa Egorova and Candidate of Philological Sciences Inga Slavkina, the following inscriptions without translation are prohibited: SALE, CAFE, LOUNGE-ZONE and the like. They will either have to be removed or accompanied by a Russian equivalent.

In this case, the Russian text must come first and have the same color, font type and size. For example, option “Nail studio” let's say. In this case, the following options will be considered incorrect:

• “Nail Studio / Nail Studio” – tThe text in Russian is in second place;
• “Nail studio – NAIL STUDIO” – letter case does not match;
• “Nail Studio / Nail Studio” – the text in Russian is not identical to the text in English.

The law allows the use of foreign words that do not have commonly used Russian analogues. Their list is enshrined in standard dictionaries.

For example, without translation you can leave “fitness”, “stretching”, “coffee”, “business lunch”.

But “barbershop”, “coworking”, “shopping”, “cashback”, “life hack”, “travel” and “relaxation” They cannot be used in Russian without explanation – they are not in standard dictionaries. Such words may only be written with a footnote, an explanation in parentheses or under an asterisk.

The changes do not apply to registered trademarks and trade names. Ozon, Wildberries and other brands will remain unchanged. But individual entrepreneurs and self-employed people will not be able to use foreign names, since they do not have the right to register them as company names.

Experts emphasize that the law does not provide for a complete ban on the use of foreign words in public space and does not regulate their use in private correspondence.

Main photo: freepik.com

Newslab now in MAX. News is also published in OK | VK | Zen | Telegram