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Abstract

Dutch nautical terms in Russian. Anna Croiset van der Kop versus Reinder van der Meulen

This article explores the controversy in the beginning of the 20th century between de Dutch slavists Anna Croiset van der Kop and Reindert van der Meulen, author of the book De Hollandsche Zee- en Scheepstermen in het Russisch (Dutch Nautical Terms in Russian).

After publication, she reacted with an undeniably negative and unusually elaborate review (72 pages!), written not in Dutch, but in Russian and published in one of the most leading, scientific series in Russia. Van der Meulen has never directly reacted to this review: in 1959 he published a supplement to his earlier work from 1909: Nederlandse woorden in het Russisch (Dutch words in Russian), not mentioning Croiset van der Kops name, nor her review. Obviously he felt hurt by her merciless criticism. The article focuses on the motives underlying her strong reaction. It will be argued that her severe criticism was not really inspired by Van der Meulen’s subject, but by his failing research methods. Furthermore, it will be pointed out that this review seemed to offer her an opportunity to measure up to her Dutch colleagues and to present herself internationally as a slavist.

On the basis of the now available data it is hard to say, which motives really brought Croiset van der Kop to write her review. Investigation of her archives, preserved in St- Petersburg, and until now hardly studied, may perhaps reveal her real motives.

Keywords: Dutch nautical terms, Russian, Croiset, Van der Meulen