This volume investigates the evolution of the Russian language throughout the twentieth century, specifically examining how political and social upheaval influenced linguistic structure and usage. The authors, Bernard Comrie, Gerald C. Stone, and Maria Polinsky, utilize a combination of historical analysis and linguistic data to track shifts in pronunciation, syntax, and vocabulary from 1900 through the era of glasnost. By comparing formal grammatical standards with actual usage patterns, the text provides a framework for understanding the divergence between prescriptive language rules and the reality of Russian speech and writing.

Experts recognize this work as a vital expansion of the original 1978 study, providing a comprehensive longitudinal view of Russian linguistic development. Scholars frequently cite the text for its balanced approach to both structural linguistic changes and the sociopolitical factors that drive them.