Mark Ridley’s Russian grammar as a valuable source of data about second language acquisition

Abstract

This article deals with an analysis of the first description of the Russian language – the grammar of Mark Ridley, physician in the Kremlin (at the end of the 16th century). It is an example of interlanguage and may be examined as valuable evidence of naturalistic second language acquisition. The stylistic features of Russian oral language as a source of knowledge about the spoken language of Muscovites of the end of the 16th century. Key words: second language acquisition, Russian grammar, Marc Ridley, interlanguage, 16th century.