Pushkin's Day poll: 58% of Russians would like to raise their literacy level

UFA, 6 June 2018. /Bashinform News Agency, Elmira Sabirova/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/. 58% of Russians would like to increase their level of literacy. At the same time, young people aged 18 to 34, who most often put themselves excellent grades, more actively agree with the fact that they need to improve their knowledge (71-72%), while the majority of retirement age people (56%) do not see it necessary. The poll, timed to the Pushkin's Day (the Day of the Russian Language), was conducted by the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VCIOM).

According to the VCIOM data, the majority of survey participants rate their knowledge of the Russian language above the average: every second (50%) estimates it at "4", every tenth (12%) – at "5". Young people, in comparison with the older generation, tend to overestimate their grades: among the 18-34-year-olds, 20% give an excellent mark to themselves, 7% of those aged 60 and older. Ten years ago the option "good" was chosen by 40%, "excellent" - by 9%. 35% of citizens aged 18 and over by their own admission know their native language at a satisfactory level.

56% of Russians decide for themselves unequivocally what to consider as a norm of the modern Russian language: the norm is defined by linguists, the rules are set forth in dictionaries. 33% note that the modern language should rather be guided by common words in spoken language. Representatives of younger age groups tend to focus on rules (69% in the group from 18 to 24 years) more than the older generation (41% among 60-year-olds +).