Pronunciation: [ɪntˌɛlɪd͡ʒˈɛntsi͡ə] (IPA) 
The word "intelligentsia" is spelled as [ɪn-ˌtɛl-ɪˈdʒɛn-tsi-ə], with emphasis on the second syllable. The letter "i" in the first syllable sounds as "in," followed by "t" and "e" pronounced separately. The "g" in "gen" and "t" in "tsi" are silent, and "a" at the end sounds as "ɑ", not "a" as in "cat." This term refers to an intellectual, educated social class concerned with cultural and societal aspects of life.
Intelligentsia refers to a social group or class of highly educated, intellectual individuals who are actively involved in scholarly pursuits, cultural activities, and intellectual discourse. The term is derived from the Latin word "intelligentia," which means intelligence or understanding.
Members of the intelligentsia are often considered as the intellectual elite of society, possessing extensive knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a commitment to furthering intellectual pursuits. They are typically well-versed in various academic disciplines such as literature, philosophy, arts, politics, and science, often holding advanced degrees in their respective fields.
The intelligentsia is characterized by their intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking, and their contribution to the production and dissemination of knowledge. They play a vital role in shaping public opinion, influencing political decisions, and contributing to social change through their writings, artistic creations, and activism. Furthermore, the intelligentsia may be influential in forming and articulating societal values, challenging established norms, and sparking intellectual debate and dialogue.
However, while the term intelligentsia typically refers to an educated and influential social group, it can also be associated with elitism and exclusion, as it may denote a hierarchical division between intellectuals and the rest of society. It is important to note that being a part of the intelligentsia is not solely determined by formal education but also by one's active participation in intellectual and cultural activities.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "intelligentsia" comes from the Russian term "интеллигенция" (intelligentsiya). It was originally introduced in the mid-19th century in Russia and referred to the class of educated urban individuals who were involved in intellectual and cultural activities.
The Russian term itself is derived from the Latin word "intellectus", meaning "understanding" or "intelligence". It was first used by Russian philosopher Pyotr Chaadayev in the early 19th century to describe intellectuals who were critical of the social and political issues of the time.
Over time, the term "intelligentsia" began to be used more broadly, beyond the Russian context, to refer to educated and intellectual groups in other countries as well. It has become a common term to describe the educated and intellectual elite of a society.
