How Did a Person from the USSR Come to Be Called a Soviet?

The term 'Soviet' has a rich history rooted in the cultural, political, and linguistic aspects of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). In this article, we explore the fascinating reasons behind calling a person from the USSR a 'Soviet.'

The Etymology of 'Soviet'

The word 'Soviet' comes from the Russian word совет (soviet), which translates to 'council' in English. In the Slavic language, a советник (sovietnik) refers to a member of a council, hence the term 'Soviet.' Although the Soviet Union was composed of multiple nationalities and ethnicities, the term 'Soviet' was widely used as a collective descriptor for citizens of the USSR.

Debating the Terminology

During the Cold War era, the term 'Soviet' was a primary descriptor used to refer to a person from the USSR. This was consistent in various contexts, such as artistic, athletic, and political domains. For example, a composer born and active in the USSR would be referred to as a 'Soviet composer,' and an athlete from the USSR would be called a 'Soviet athlete.' Even dissidents were labeled as 'Soviet dissidents.' However, the use of 'Soviet' became somewhat awkward when it came to referring to specific ethnic groups within the USSR.

The Cold War Dichotomy

The Cold War era was characterized by intense geopolitical rivalry between the USSR and the Western world. It was during this time that many people mistakenly referred to the USSR as 'Russia,' much like how the Netherlands is sometimes called 'Holland' or the United Kingdom is referred to as 'England.' This term was problematic as Russia was only one of the fifteen constituent republics of the USSR. Similarly, a person from any of the other republics, such as Lithuania or Ukraine, could be keenly aware of the inaccuracy of being called a 'Russian.'

The Russian Bias in Terminology

In English, it was common to use the term 'Russian' as a blanket descriptor for a person from the USSR. This practice was prevalent in news reports and everyday conversations. However, many people in the West were unaware of the diversity within the USSR, such as Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians, and many others. Therefore, the term 'Russian' was often used as a default descriptor, which could lead to misunderstandings and stereotypes.

Emergence of 'Soviet Citizen'

The concept of a 'Soviet citizen' encapsulated the idea of being a member of the Soviet Union. Unlike 'Russian,' which could be too ethnically specific, 'Soviet citizen' was broad and encompassing. It referred to the status and identity of a person within the USSR, regardless of their ethnic origin. This term became more prevalent in certain contexts, such as legal documentation and international relations.

Conclusion

The terminology used to describe a person from the USSR reflects the complex reality of the Soviet period. Terms such as 'Soviet' provided a broad and unified descriptor, while 'Soviet citizen' gave a more nuanced understanding of the diverse identities within the USSR. This history teaches us about the importance of accurate and contextually appropriate terminology in understanding complex geopolitical entities.