The Institute, directed by Professor Choi Woo-ik, held a special humanities lecture for the next generation of scholars on June 9, 2026, at Suwon Foreign Language High School in Gyeonggi Province. The lecture was organized as part of the Regional Humanities Center Program under the HK+ Project supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. Professor Kim Hyung-seop of the Department of Russian Language and Literature at Chung-Ang University delivered a lecture entitled “The World of Russian Linguistics.”

During the lecture, Professor Kim emphasized the importance of understanding Russian not merely as a means of communication, but as a language that embodies history, culture, and ways of thinking. He examined the historical development of the Russian language from its Indo-European origins to modern Russian through the lens of historical linguistics. He also introduced the migration of the Slavic peoples and the subsequent differentiation of the East, West, and South Slavic language groups.

Professor Kim further explained the historical formation of the Russian language by discussing the relationship between Church Slavonic and modern Russian, as well as the development of the Cyrillic alphabet and the missionary activities of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia.

To illustrate the cultural characteristics reflected in the Russian language, he analyzed expressions such as ты/вы (informal and formal forms of “you”), авось (a reliance on chance or hope), судьба (fate), and душа (soul), examining how language reflects the worldview and values of Russian society.

The lecture also introduced the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis, the relationship between language and thought, and the connection between Russian literature and language. Professor Kim explained that linguistics extends beyond the study of grammar and serves as an academic discipline that helps us better understand human beings and society.

The event took place in the Creative Convergence Education Room at Suwon Foreign Language High School and was attended by approximately 50 students.