The Main Work of Professor Polivanov in Frunze

In 1919, E. D. Polivanov joined the Communist Party (which alienated him from the university faculty) and actively engaged in practical work among foreign representatives of the Comintern, especially the Chinese and Japanese. Then he focused on fundamental scientific work in Eastern languages and comparative linguistics. He became a recognized specialist in comparative linguistics of the Indo-European direction. His works were published abroad. Polivanov was one of the first and most consistent opponents of the so-called "Yafetic theory" — the "new teaching about language" of N. Ya. Marr (which much later turned out to be "scientifically unfounded"), but he suffered defeat. Marr's theory received official support, which under the administrative system meant persecution of its opponents with subsequent repressions. Linguistics became a tool of politics. Polivanov was no longer published and removed from all positions he held. But he did not despair: he tirelessly traveled on linguistic expeditions to Central Asia, including Fergana and Pamir. Together with his colleagues, he participated in the development of writing systems for the peoples of the USSR, the creation of grammar for local languages, and published a textbook for schools on the Uzbek language. He sent theses and reports to international linguistic congresses (where they were published), but the lack of funds did not allow him to travel abroad for personal participation in international forums. Moreover, he did not particularly strive to go abroad, where a secure life and excellent working conditions awaited him. The scholar decided to dedicate himself to developing textbooks for the Central Asian peoples and teaching methods for non-Russians in learning the Russian language. Therefore, he gladly responded to an invitation from Kyrgyzstan.

His main work in Frunze involved the Kyrgyz and Dungan languages: compiling textbooks, dictionaries, translating the epic "Manas," and more. However, he even had to teach ... political economy at the pedagogical institute. The scholar was a polyglot and claimed to know 16 languages. Among them were all the main Western European languages, as well as Chinese, Dungan, Japanese, and all Turkic languages. But in fact (at least linguistically), he mastered at least two dozen more languages, including Assyrian, Arabic, Georgian, Korean, Tibetan, Chechen, Estonian, and many others. He easily acquired new languages and knew their numerous dialects. Such a scientific employee was truly a valuable find for the Kyrgyz Institute of Cultural Construction. Just a couple of days later, he traveled for two weeks to Tashkent "on personal matters" (where his wife's sister lived). Tashkent, apart from the expedition route, remained the only city where the scholar could travel freely. The fact is that after actively criticizing N. Ya. Marr's "Yafetic theory," E. D. Polivanov's movements were restricted. Tragic years were approaching, and their ominous clouds had already hung over the country. The work schedule at the Institute was strictly regulated.

Here is an example of an order from January 10, 1935: "Mandatory working hours for scientific employees and technical workers of the Kyrgyz Scientific Research Institute of Cultural Construction:

1. Polivanov E. D. from 12:30 to 15:30,
2. Tynystanov K. T. from 12:30 to 15:30,
3. Yan-Shan-Sin Yu from 10:00 to 14:00... (and so on).

Any deviation from the aforementioned working hours for scientific and technical staff is allowed only with the permission of the director."

Like in a military establishment!

Professor Evgeny Dmitrievich Polivanov