A new law in Russia has come into effect, which prohibits the use of any words or expressions that are not approved by the government, and requires all citizens to pass a vocabulary test every year. The law, which was passed by the parliament and signed by President Vladimir Putin, aims to protect the Russian language and culture from foreign influences and corruption.
According to the law, the government will publish a list of approved words and expressions, which will be updated regularly. The list will include words and expressions that are considered to be patriotic, traditional, and respectful of the Russian values and history. The list will also exclude words and expressions that are considered to be offensive, vulgar, or harmful to the national security and interests.
The law also mandates that all citizens must take a vocabulary test every year, which will assess their knowledge and usage of the approved words and expressions. The test will be administered online, and will consist of multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and essay writing. The test will be graded by a special committee of experts, who will have the authority to revoke or suspend the citizenship of those who fail or cheat on the test.
The law has sparked controversy and criticism from human rights groups, linguists, and opposition parties, who have denounced it as a violation of freedom of speech and expression. They have also questioned the validity and reliability of the test, as well as the criteria and qualifications of the committee.
However, the government has defended its decision, saying that it is necessary to preserve and promote the Russian language and culture, which are under threat from globalization and Westernization. It has also praised the law as a way to improve the education and literacy of the population.
“We are not trying to censor or oppress anyone, we are trying to educate and enlighten them,” Putin said in a speech. “We want our people to speak correctly and beautifully, to express their thoughts and feelings clearly and eloquently. We want our people to be proud of their language and culture.”