Constantin-Cyril and (Soviet) Language Planning

The present paper shortly dwells upon the role played by Saint Cyril in the politically driven discourse of later epochs, with particular reference to the Soviet “linguistic constructors” (jazykovye stroiteli) in the twenties and thirties of the past century. Starting from an interesting article by R.O. Jakobson, published in 1945, it traces some striking parallels between Cyril’s invention of the first Slavic alphabet and language planning activity, with respect to the problem of alphabet choice, in different times and cultural contexts. The construction of a symbolic meaning around the figure of Cyril has given rise, in the course of time, to different and stimulating approaches and interpretations.