The farther the phenomenon of Soviet civilization recedes into the past, the more clearly language emerges as one of its defining features. Through linguistic means, the political regime that created Russian Soviet civilization formulated and refined its ideology, shaped the consciousness of millions of people, altering their behavior and even the very philosophy of language itself. These highly complex processes, and their comprehensive and detailed study, are the subject of Y. P. Mador's book Words Are Athirst (Notes on the Vocabulary of the Soviet Language).

The book draws on extensive linguistic and historical material, comparative linguistics, and social psychology. It credibly demonstrates the need to recognize the state's language policy as a special method of manipulating large segments of the population. And, as is well known, "a correct diagnosis is half the cure."