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I read about several "great modifications" of Russian language. 1^st - IX-XII centuries when Russian princes Rurikovitch (Scandinavian house) were finally assimilated in Russia. The example of that language is "Slovo o polku Igorevom" ("A Word of Igor's Retinue") - first Russian written non-clerical fiction.

I have read about several "great modifications" of the Russian language The 1st was in the IX-XII centuries when the Russian princes Rurikovitch (Scandinavian dynasty) were finally assimilated in Russia. An example of that language is "Slovo o polku Igorevom" ("The Word of Igor's Retinue") -the first Russian non-clerical fiction.

2^{nd -} XIV-XV centuries when Russia became an independent state (before 1480 Russia was a vassal of the Golden Horde). In that period many Tatar families came to serve Russian great duke. Practically up to 40% of Russian nobles were the Horde's khans (knights) and their families. In that period many tatar words were adopted by Russian. Well-known Russian mat (strong impolite words), many everyday words, personages of tales, etc. were born there on basis of tatar words. From the other hand Russian grand duke Ivan III got married on Greek princess Sofia Paleolog (last representative of Byzantine emperor's family - Constantinople falled a victim of Turkish army in 1453). She lived in Italia as a guest of Venetian doges for several years. Following her many Greek and Italian architects, philosophers, priests came to Russia and granted Greek and Italian words in Russia. That time Eastern Slavic language devided in three part Russian, Ukranian and Belorussian (the last two are very similar to each other up to now).

The 2^nd was in the XIV-XV centuries when Russia became an independent state (before 1480 Russia was a vassal of the Golden Horde). In that period many Tatar families came to serve the Russian Grand Duke. *Up to 40% of Russian nobles were the Golden Horde's khans (knights) and their families were subject to the Tatars. In that period many Tatar words were adopted by Russians. Well-known Russian mat (swear words), many everyday words, personages of tales, etc. appeared then and were based on Tatar words. On the other hand the Russian Grand Duke Ivan III got married to a Greek princess Sofia Paleolog (the last representative of the Byzantine Emperor's family - Constantinople fell victim to the Turkish army in 1453). She had *lived in Italy as a guest of the Venetian doges for several years. Following her many Greek and Italian architects, philosophers and priests came to Russia and gave Greek and Italian words to Russian. At that time the Eastern Slavic language devided into three parts Russian, Ukranian and Belorussian (the last two are still very similar to each now).

3^rd, XVII-XVIII centuries the time of first Russian modernisation (reforms of Peter I the Great - first Russian emperor). That time Russian language adopted many Dutch, German and English words. Moreover there were finally devided Russian secular and clerical (Old Slavonic) languages.

The 3^rd was in the XVII-XVIII centuries, at the time of first Russian modernisation (the reforms of Peter I the Great - the first Russian emperor). At that time the Russian language adopted many Dutch, German and English words. Moreover the secular and clerical (Old Slavonic) languages were finally devided in Russia.

4th, first part of XIX century. A birth of modern Russian. Pushkin was the first writer whose texts are similar to the modern ones. Since that time changes re not principal. However native Russian can notice them.

If you have a chance to speak with Russian immigrants of "the first wave" (who left Russia in 1920) you may notice they speak Russian very well but rather old fashioned.

The 4^th was in the first part of the XIX century. The birth of modern Russian. Pushkin was the first writer whose texts were similar to the modern ones. Since that time there have been no major changes. However a native Russian can notice them.

If you have a chance to speak with Russian immigrants of "the first wave" (who left Russia in 1920) you may notice they speak Russian very well but in a rather old fashioned way.*

*With 'up to' practically is superfluous.

* There is no logic here to having no particle. It is an expression -- to fall victim to- - -

* had lived because that was previous to her time in Russia.

* old fashioned way.* Since 'well' is an adverb, an adjective does not fit well so I have made an adverbial phrase.

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