Resolution of the Politburo of the CC VKP(b) "On Latinization," January 26, 1930

Source: Tom 17

Top Secret

Extract from the minutes No. 115 of the Politburo session of the CC, dated 25.01.1930.

26. -- On Latinization.

To propose that Glavnauka cease work on the question of latinization of the Russian alphabet.

Secretary of the CC.

Source: Istochnik. 1994. No. 5. P. 100.

AP RF. F. 3. Op. 33. D. 15. L. 52.

NOTE

The occasion for the Politburo's consideration of this matter was the following memorandum from People's Commissar of Education of the RSFSR A.S. Bubnov to I.V. Stalin, with an attached report on Glavnauka's work on completing the orthographic reform and on the problem of latinizing the Russian alphabet:

"Secret. January 16, 1930. Moscow. No. NKP 69/M. To the CC VKP(b), Comrade Stalin. In accordance with our telephone conversation, I am presenting to you the report of the head of Glavnauka, Comrade Luppol, on latinization. A. Bubnov.

REPORT

On the Work of Glavnauka on Completing the Reform
of Orthography and on the Problem of Latinizing the Russian Alphabet

On the initiative of the public (the press, meetings of students, teachers, press workers, etc.), Glavnauka began in early November 1929 to work on further reform of orthography. In the course of Glavnauka's internal work, it became clear that there was a need not only to complete the reform (of 1917) of orthography and punctuation, but also to study the problem of latinizing the Russian alphabet. The printing industry proved to be particularly interested in this matter, and its representatives provided preliminary calculations of potential savings. The transition from 'и' to 'i' alone should yield savings of up to 4 million rubles per year, including up to 1 million rubles in hard currency (non-ferrous metals). A debate organized by the 'House of the Press' demonstrated that the public connected with the printing industry favors latinization. Letters received by Glavnauka indicate that this problem interests broad circles. The opinions contained in the letters are varied. Under such circumstances, Glavnauka considered and continues to consider it necessary to work through this problem by means of a commission. At the present moment, the preliminary study is complete, and all the material, together with reviews from both public representatives and scholarly specialists, will be examined at a closed session of the Collegium of Narkompros.

It goes without saying that all rumors about an allegedly imminent introduction of the Latin alphabet are unfounded.

The question, raised by the public, is merely being studied within the organs of Narkompros, and it would be unfortunate if this question, being raised in a number of organizations, were to catch Narkompros, and above all Glavnauka, off guard.

I. Luppol"