“The Word about the Birth of Metals from the Shaking of the Earth” by Mikhail V. Lomonosov as an Example of Mining and Geological Discourse

Abstract

The objective of the article is to analyze the treatise “The Word about the Birth of Metals from the Shaking of the Earth” by Mikhail V. Lomonosov. The treatise is considered as an example of mining and geological discourse. It is characterized the concept of “discourse” and it is formulated a working definition of mining and geological discourse. The author describes the historical context that had place in the process of writing the treatise at the beginning of the article. It is explained what was the reason for making the speech and what goals the scientist set for himself. Lomonosov’s geological views and assessment of their importance for the development of science are given as well. The scientist classifies and describes the types of earthquakes, which, according to Lomonosov, bring people not only harm, but also benefits, like appearance of minerals in rocks. Further, it is provided examples of the most frequent terms in mining and geology (“ore”, “lode”, “matter”). Author developed a table with a list of terms, used by Lomonosov, with the indication of the number of their uses. Next article is devoted to the linguo-rhetorical analysis of the features of such genre as the Word. The author gives a brief definition of this genre and distinguishes its three varieties, namely Commendable Word, Thankful Word, and Academic Speech. The latter corresponds to “The Word about the Birth of Metals from the Shaking of the Earth”. Unlike Commendable and Thankful Words, there is not only praise to a ruler in Academic Speech, but also scientific questions are raised. The author describes the specific of the composition “The Word about the Birth of Metals from the Shaking of the Earth” and analyzes examples of the most frequent rhetorical devices.

Keywords:

Mikhail V. Lomonosov, earth shaking, ore, lode, matter, minerals, rhetorical genre of the Word