Authors’ names:
- Natalia M. Usenko – Rostov State University of Economics, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
Abstract:
Language policy, traditionally understood as a set of rules and actions which determine the stability and dynamics of the functioning of both languages and levels of a particular language, is described in a vast array of classical and modern studies. In their numerous interpretations of the terminological phrase “linguistic situation,” researchers note that it refers to the distribution of different forms of existence of a language or several languages used by an eth-nic (multiethnic) community. The article analyzes the linguistic situation in the Russian linguistic culture and one of the aspects of Russia’s modern language policy, namely the trend towards abandoning Anglicization. The author proves how inconsistently modern language processes are reflected in domestic media, which obviously manifests a value conflict. The article is based on fragments of media texts, published in 2022–2023 and connected with the problem of foreign language borrowings and English-language influence on Russian linguistic culture in the 21st century. The study was carried out at the intersection of sociolinguistic and cognitive-semiological approaches to linguistic facts and employed contextual-interpretative and linguistic-pragmatic analysis of linguistic material. The analysis of media texts about verbal import substitution suggests that total fashion for foreign languages is beginning to give way to a more balanced and functionally reasonable use of borrowings. The language situation of the past thirty years is given a largely negative evaluation.
The author’s understanding of the concept of the linguistic situation necessarily takes into consideration both forms in which languages exist in society and varieties of mutual influence of these language systems. All this predetermines the comprehensive nature of the study ensuring that, among other things, it includes a description of ongoing changes and a forecast for further development – especially since, in addition to traditional precedent-oriented linguistics, we have seen a successful emergence of projective linguistics, whose purpose is to determine necessary targeted actions to improve language. The 2023 amendments to the Law on the State Language of the Russian Federation, developed on the basis of fact-based analysis of the current language situation, are a manifestation of an effective language policy. Verbal “import substitution” as a socio-cultural process will be successful in the event of joint efforts of administrative authorities, education, and media, so that, in addition to an improved culture of Russian language speech, there develops a better culture of using foreign borrowings.
| Section | LANGUAGE AND CULTURE |
| DOI: | 10.47388/2072-3490/lunn2024-65-1-132-146 |
| Downloads | 170 |
| Key words | sociolinguistics; media discourse; language situation; language policy; language contacts; linguistic pragmatics; foreign language borrowings; verbal import substitution |