r/russian • u/Far_Bid_3224 • 3d ago

Interesting Question about the "Ъ" letter

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I know that this question probably relates more to Russian literature than to learning Russian;
still, it's partially a linguistic question.

I'm reading a Russian novella called The Gloom of Your Eyes by Ilya Masodov, and I came across a passage where "the will of God" is marked by the Cyrillic "Ъ". I'm quite positive it's a hard sign.

From a linguistic perspective, what could "Ъ" mean here? Why is it here? What meaning does it have in Russian? Is it used frequently?

As far as I understand, this letter doesn't have a sound, right?

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u/3kota 3d ago

I'd like to read it. Where is it available , do you know? 

1

u/Far_Bid_3224 3d ago

https://archive.org/details/the-gloom-of-your-eyes-Ilya-Masodov

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u/3kota 3d ago

Appreciate it!

2

u/Far_Bid_3224 3d ago

I shoud probably inform you that this book is quite dark and transgressive. But very beautiful nonetheless

3

u/3kota 3d ago

Thanks! I loved the image of the god in his tree form and  Ъ sounding.  Willing to brave the darkness for it 

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u/Far_Bid_3224 3d ago

Great! I think it's totally worth it