Unlike the Ukrainian language (in which most of the words are both pronounced and written), so-called silent letters are often found in Russian. Being unpronounceable, they still create confusion, since their omission in writing is a mistake. Let's look at the spelling of one of these words. So, ladder or ladder: how to write correctly?
What is the lexical meaning of this noun
A ladder is a special device designed for vertical connections. In other words, with the help of stairs, you can climb (descend) to a higher (lower) place along the steps or along the rungs.
Such devices can be portable (like folding garden ladders or specialized ladders on fire trucks, ships and helicopters). They are also part of the building (like stairs in the entrance between floors).
As for the materials from which these devices are made, they canbe different. The main requirement is strength and stability. Home ladders are made of wood or metal. Helicopter ladders and ship ladders are made of ropes or wires with metal or wood rungs.
If this fixture is part of a building, it is usually made of cement and bricks, sometimes wood or metal.
Etymology of the word
Before you figure out the spelling (ladder or ladder), you should pay attention to the origin of the noun under study.
And paradoxically, it is not exactly known. There are two theories.
- According to the first, the word "ladder" comes from the verb "to climb", which in the Old Slavonic language looked like this: "flattering". By the way, if you stick to this version, it becomes clear where this problematic “t” came from and why the spelling (ladder or stairs) raises so many questions.
- Supporters of the second theory believe that the "progenitor" of the considered noun is the Old Slavonic word "ladder". However, what relation it has to the meaning of the term "ladder" is still not known. This version is supported by the fact that in Belarusian, which is related to the Russian language, the name in question looks very similar - “forest”. At the same time, it should be noted that in most other Slavic languages, completely different words are used to designate this concept: Ukrainian - “go down”, Polish - schody, Slovenian - stopnišče, Czech -schodiště, Bulgarian “herd”, etc.
In addition to disputes about etymology, scientists cannot come to one opinion on the issue of dividing this noun into components. So Ariadna Ivanovna Kuznetsova and Tatyana Fedorovna Efremova believe that the root is "forest", and "t" and "nits" are suffixes. But Andrey Anatolyevich Zaliznyak is of the opinion that the letter “t” is included in the root “lest”, and the term has only one suffix - “nit”.
Most famous stairs
Before considering the question: "Which is the correct spelling: staircase or stairs?" - it is worth learning a little about the history of this device, as well as the most famous specimens in the world.
Such constructions appeared in the world more than 7000 years ago. Almost every ancient civilization has a mention of the use of stairs. They were among the ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, Romans and even the Maya tribe. Not a single castle of medieval Europe could exist normally without them. Moreover, they carried not only practical value, but were also a decoration of the home. And today the tradition of decorating built-in stairs remains very relevant.
As for the folding types of this device, thanks to the invention of modern materials, they have become lighter and stronger than in the past centuries.
As for the most famous specimens in the history of mankind, it is first of all worth mentioning the legendary Jacob's ladder described in the Book of Genesis. By the way, she is also mentioned in the Koran.
As for those existing today, the wooden Immovable staircase in Jerusalem has a special symbolism. It is a symbol of the agreement of 6 Christian denominations on the joint ownership of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Old City in Jerusalem.
Another world-famous example is the Spanish Steps, located in Rome. It was built in the middle of the 18th century. and still remains one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Europe. Photo shoots of famous glossy magazines are often arranged on its steps, as well as films and clips are shot.
And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the Potemkin Stairs in Odessa, leading city residents and tourists to the sea. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, it has remained almost unchanged to this day. By the way, it began to be called "Potemkinskaya" only almost 100 years after its construction. In 1925, Sergei Eisenstein's film "Battleship Potemkin" was filmed on it, and the building got its name in honor of this event.
Correct spelling: "ladder" or "ladder"
Having considered the lexical meaning, history and etymology of the noun "ladder", it's time to deal with the grammar of this word.
So, ladder or stairs, that is the question!
The answer is simple: this noun is written through the letter "t", and absolutely always, without exceptions. In the same way as the "sun" is written with "mute"letter "l".
Is it possible to find a test word for the word "stairs"
As a rule, for most terms whose spelling is in doubt, you can pick up a test word. With its help, it turns out to determine exactly whether there is any “silent” letter in this case.
So, is it possible to find a test word for the word "stairs"? No. The fact is that the term in question refers to nouns whose spelling simply needs to be remembered, since it cannot be checked. Such names are called "dictionary words".
Ladder and stairs: why their spelling is different
Having figured out how to write correctly: stairs or stairs, you can pay attention to considering such a term that is close in meaning to it, like “ladder”. Unlike all other names with the same root, it does not have a "mute" letter "t".
Why did this happen? Not known. Probably, the “disappearance” of “t” in the word “ladder” was influenced by some linguistic processes, about which modern scientists have no information. Perhaps this spelling was the result of a deep-seated error. In any case, "ladder" and "ladder" are nouns, the spelling of which you just need to learn by heart.
Having considered the question: "How to write correctly: stairs or stairs?", we can conclude that not every problematic name with "silent" consonants has a test word.
