Sociological Linguistics in Leningrad: The Institute for the Comparative History of the Literatures and Languages of the West and East (ILJaZV) 1921–1933 1

The Institute for the Comparative History of the Literatures and Languages of the West and East (ILIaZV) was the locus of pathbreaking work in the fields of linguistic and literary studies. The history of the formation, development and closure of the institute is related along with discussion of the most important genetic and functional trends of research carried out. Works of well-known scholars such as members of the Bakhtin Circle are set in their institutional framework, and the importance of institutional research projects is highlighted. The ways in which changing socio-political circumstances affected the institute are also discussed. In a supplement the plan of a book by V.N. Voloshinov is published.