Linguistic Community Research Articles

Valuing Diversity: in defense of the identity of vulnerable / minoritized linguistic communities

Apresentação à Revista Linguística v.19 n.3

Valuing Diversity: in defense of the identity of vulnerable / minoritized linguistic communities

Apresentação à Revista Linguística v.19 n.3

Introduction: multilingualism and multilingual education in China

ABSTRACT In recent years, the field of multilingual education has begun to focus on the differences, dynamics, and complexities of multilingual learning among different groups. Relevant research has contributed to a deeper understanding of the mechanism underlying language learning and development in the applied linguistics community. Resonating with the trends, this special issue features seven articles, focusing on the learning and development of multilingualism in China. Specifically, the collection investigates core issues including language attitudes, cognitive processes and development, identity formation and development, curriculum development, and language policies among users of ethnic minority languages (e.g. Yugur, Tujia, Yao, Mongolian, Miao, Zhuang, Uyghur) and (dialects Teochew dialect) with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research methods, and cross-sectional and longitudinal research designs. The findings of this special issue help to provide insights for language policy makers, language education researchers, and practitioners at micro, meso, and macro levels.

ДІАСПОРА ЯК ГЕТЕРОТОПІЯ В РОМАНІ МАЙКЛА ОНДАТЖЕ “У ШКІРІ ЛЕВА”

The present article examines the postcolonial novel “In the Skin of a Lion” written by Michael Ondaatje, one of Canada’s leading contemporary writers. As the marginalized experience of an immigrant had a signifi cant impact on shaping the author’s diasporic identity, Ondaatje, originally from Ceylon and a Canadian citizen, depicts in his novel the immigrant experience and the distinctiveness of the corresponding diasporic space within a linguistic and cultural community. The article underscores that the space, which both refl ects and distorts the real world, can be characterized as a heterotopian one. In multicultural societies, diaspora serves as one such space – an entity that unites individuals bound by their shared ethnic heritage and brings together inhabitants who often fi nd themselves isolated and marginalized. In the novel “In the Skin of a Lion”, the immigrant district is depicted as a space with utopian features. A cornerstone of the analysis lies in the observation of how immigrants navigate and interact with foreign landscapes. The article demonstrates how these individuals utilize the canvas of a foreign country to reimagine and reconstruct familiar environments, a process that both mirrors and refracts their original contexts. Signifi cantly, the diasporic space inhabited by the characters is similar to Foucault’s concept of a heterotopic mirror, a realm without a concrete locus yet integral to shaping the characters’ experiences and perspectives. The methodology of the article relies primarily on the notion of heterotopia by French philosopher Michel Foucault, Homi Bhabha’s explorations and his concept of an intermediate space or the “third” space, and Edward Said’s postcolonial theory as well as other cultural and literary studies pertaining to the diaspora. It is shown that the heterotopian space in M. Ondaatje’s novel is a place for the formation of the diasporic identity of his characters. Ultimately, according to Foucault’s principles of heterotopia, in the novel “In the Skin of a Lion”, the diaspora and the immigrant community’s enclave are portrayed as a rich and transformative heterotopic space. Key words: Michael Ondaatje, “In the Skin of a Lion,” Michel Foucault, heterotopia, space, diasporic identity.

Modernization of Teaching a Native (Russian) Language

This article reveals the main aspects of using the language of a particular linguistic community when mastering the sociolinguistic rules of speech communication that characterize a given society, as well as understanding the impact of social factors on the speech behavior of participants in communication

National and Cultural Features of Creating a Name (Naming) in the Language

Objective: This article investigates the national and cultural features of creating names (naming) in language, aiming to explore the underlying principles and influences that shape the process of naming across different cultures and linguistic contexts. The objective of the article is to analyze the intricate interplay between language, culture, and individual identity in the act of naming.
 
 Methods: The method employed in this study encompasses a comparative analysis of naming practices in diverse linguistic and cultural settings. Through the examination of naming conventions, etymology, and socio-cultural factors, the study seeks to unveil the cultural nuances and linguistic mechanisms that underpin the creation and significance of names.
 
 Results: The results of the article illuminate the profound connection between names and cultural identity, reflecting the rich tapestry of traditions, beliefs, and historical legacies within diverse linguistic communities. The analysis reveals the intricate ways in which language and culture intersect to imbue names with layers of meaning and symbolism, encompassing familial, societal, and spiritual dimensions.
 
 Conclusion: Conclusion part includes, the findings emphasize the intrinsic link between naming and cultural identity, highlighting the intricate web of linguistic, historical, and social influences that shape the process of naming across different cultures. The study underscores the importance of honoring and understanding the national and cultural features of creating names, fostering cross-cultural appreciation and respect for the diverse ways in which language and culture intertwine in the act of naming.

Sebutlah Kami Tuli: Call Us Deaf

Indonesia is an archipelagic nation consisting of diverse ethnicities and languages in southeast Asia. As in all nations, one of the linguistic communities found across the islands is made up of Deaf people. The limited research available about these Deaf Indonesians tends to focus on the linguistics of their language, BISINDO. However, almost nothing is known about their cultural traditions except studies about a Deaf Village in Bali. Currently, there are ongoing discussions among Deaf Indonesian communities in Java about Deaf identity. Most of these Deaf members espouse a cultural view of what it means to be Deaf. The argument centers on what is the correct term for a person who is deaf; one side of the argument is that Deaf people have a cultural identity, expressed as tuli (Deaf) while the other side maintains a medical view, expressed as tuna rungu (hearing impaired). These Indonesian Deaf perspectives are shared and documented for potential future research.

Bilingualism’s Influence on Individual’s Cultural Perceptions

This study aims to investigate the link between bilingualism, identity development, and language development is examined in this research study. It underlines the contrast between bilingualism and language acquisition and defines bilingualism as the usage of two languages within a linguistic community. The investigation of early and late bilingualism looks at how culture affects bilingualism. Additionally, it explores the idea of identity, taking linguistic and cultural ties into account. The study uses a case study design and a qualitative methodology with bilingual subjects. To collect data on language origins and cultural impressions, surveys and interviews are used. The study focuses on language development, responsibilities in the household and at school, and the cultural and linguistic identities of the participants. The purpose of the study is to comprehend how culture affects identity development, language learning, and bilingualism. In general, it advances knowledge of the complexity of bilingualism and its effects on both persons and societies.

Lexical units nominating women in the paremias about the gender inequality of the Russian language

Russian linguistic and cultural community gender stereotypes reflecting the inequality between men and women in the Russian linguistic and cultural community, verbalized by the paremias of the Russian language; the subject of the study are such nominating components as "woman", "wife", "daughter", "mother—in-law". The material under study forms part of the national picture of the world, of which the paremic corpus is a part. Special attention is paid to the verbalization of gender stereotypes in the studied parodies. The aim of the study is to describe the lexical units that nominate women and are used as part of the Russian language related thematically to the linguistic markers of gender inequality. The relevance of this study is determined by both linguistic and extralinguistic parameters. The first group includes an interest in the linguistic and cultural analysis of the paremiological fund, including in a comparative aspect. The second group of factors includes a social demand to satisfy the need to understand the mentality of representatives of the Russian linguistic culture. The following methods were used in this article: systematization, generalization, description, semantic analysis, conceptual analysis, linguistic and cultural analysis. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time it presents in a generalized form gender stereotypes that take place in the Russian language community and which are verbalized in paremias with nominating components "woman", "wife", "daughter", "mother-in-law", indicating a social role of a woman (wife, mother, mother-in-law, daughter). The main conclusions of the study are the following : historically, the Russian linguistic and cultural community has developed a pejorative view of a woman as a member of society. Russian language parodies with such nominating components as "woman", "wife", "daughter", "mother-in-law" most often actualize negative connotations that are expressed at the explicit level. This is confirmed by currently existing Russian gender studies, which show that there are certain patterns of male and female verbal behavior in the Russian language, the differences in which are probabilistic in nature.

HINDI TEXT CATEGORIZATION & TRANSLATION

The Hindi Text Translation and Categorization aims to develop a comprehensive system for translating and categorizing Hindi text content. This project addresses the growing need for effective language processing tools in the context of Hindi, one of the most widely spoken languages globally. The project consists of two primary components: translation and categorization. The translation module employs state-of-the-art machine translation techniques to provide accurate and contextually relevant translations between Hindi and other languages. This functionality is essential for breaking down language barriers and facilitating communication across diverse linguistic communities. The categorization module focuses on organizing and classifying Hindi text content into relevant categories or topics. Leveraging advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms, the system can analyze the semantic meaning of text and assign it to appropriate categories. This categorization enhances content management, information retrieval, and overall user experience, particularly in applications such as content recommendation systems and information filtering.

Kalmyk meteorological vocabulary of the off-season in comparison with closely related languages

Kalmyk meteorological vocabulary related to lifestyle, environment and mentality belongs to the primordial stratum, as in other closely related languages of the Altai family. The commonality of the grammatical foundations of this vocabulary is confirmed by lexicographic data recorded in old Mongolian, Kalmyk and Turkic sources. The object of the study is nominative units (words, phrases and phraseological units) in the Kalmyk language, denoting the weather phenomena of the off-season. Special attention is paid to the meteorological vocabulary of the off-season of the autumn-winter intermediate period. The relevance of this study is related to the study of meteorological vocabulary in the Kalmyk language, the identification of the features of the linguistic picture of the world of the people as a whole and its influence on vocabulary. The linguistic and cultural analysis of meteorological vocabulary makes it possible to consider the life and culture of the Kalmyk people. This article uses a descriptive method, a comparative method, a method of linguistic and cultural analysis of lexical units. The meteorological vocabulary of the off-season is considered in this article taking into account the modern linguistic and cultural orientation and is presented in the aspect of an interdisciplinary category: a) the role of this phenomenon in human life (natural landmarks and human locations); b) the vocabulary of the off-season and related human economic activity; c) the comparative and evaluative feature of the use of this vocabulary in oral and written samples in the languages under consideration. The Kalmyk meteorological vocabulary of the off-season is an independent integral category that is present in all Mongolian and Turkic languages, recorded in old-written sources and has retained its original meaning in the modern Kalmyk language. This vocabulary reflects the peculiarities of the linguistic picture of the world and worldview, the specifics of the way of life and the inner world of the Kalmyks and is universal for other closely related peoples belonging to the Altai linguistic community.

Toponimia ca tezaur lingvistic şi patrimoniu cultural

The author of the study tries to debate on the issue whether the toponymy, either as a science or as the totality of geographical names, is no more than the ancilla of history, geography, linguistics, or it represents something nobler and more important, and should therefore be considered an authentic linguistic thesaurus and a component of national cultural patrimony. To answer this question, the study presents some relevant results of the toponymic research undertaken at the Institute of Romanian Philology in Iaşi, Department of Toponymy, together with other contemporary scientific approaches on the status of toponymic sciences. There are two key concepts of the theory of toponymic fields which stand on the foundation of the Toponymic Dictionary, Structural and Etymological elaborated at the Institut of Iaşi: the toponymic field and the toponymic etymology. The use of these two concepts in the processing of the toponymic data places the geographical names in the historical, linguistic, geographical, social, cultural context of their origin. Thus it is stressed the fact that the toponymy is the creation of a linguistic and cultural community.

Linguacultural Framework for Developing Master’s Students’ Bilingual Rhetorical and Polemical Competences

The development of core humanitarian competencies is one of the crucial issues of modern university humanitarian education, including, in particular, bilingual rhetorical and polemical competences, without which an individual will be unableto take part successfully in international discussions and debates on socially sensitive topics and controversial issues in the humanities. And, although in the new millennium, a number of research studies have tried to open the door to the world of discussions and debates to Russian university students, using for educational purposes this or that format of international discussions or debates, nevertheless, an analysis of the theoretical and applied results of these pedagogical searches, as well as a methodological analysis of rhetoric syllabi and Russian & foreign course-books clearly indicate that students are left in the dark about important sociocultural and linguo-cultural features of international discussion and debate formats. As a result, some Master’s students’ classroom debate experiences do not make them really capable of interacting with representatives of other cultural and linguistic communities in international discussions and debate settings. It seems that the first step to improve this didactic situation is to specify linguocultural components of bilingual rhetorical and polemical competences (in terms of knowledge, skills, sociopsychological attitudes, abilities and personal characteristics of an individual who is able to act as a successful polemist and participant in modern online and offline discussion) on a linguo-didactic analysis of the Euro-Atlantic formats of international discussions and debates as linguocultural phenomena. The paper gives an insight into the author’s vision of a component structure of the above-mentioned general humanitarian competencies in the context of the communicative actionoriented and sociocultural approaches to designing a Master’s degree programme of bilingual communicative education through Russian and foreign languages.

Мессізалежний vs мессізалежність: iсторія двох неологізмів у футбольному інтернет-дискурсі

In modern football discourse, speakers often verbalize actions, phenomena, signs and processes associated with the team leader, which creates the image of an idol, a star. This leads to the creation of neologisms that can enter different languages and be codified in lexicographic works. The article analyzes the history of the neologisms мессізалежний ( Messidependent) and мессізалежність ( Messidependence) in the football internet discourse of European languages. It is proved that the components ‑ залежний (‑ dependent) and ‑ залежність (‑ dependence) are suffixoids. It was found that the innovations мессізалежний ( Messidependent) and мессізалежність ( Messidependence), which derive from the surname of the Argentinian football player Lionel Messi, were coined on the basis of Spanish at the end of the 2000s. Spanish‑language variants were actively used by the football linguistic community, which led to their calquing in other European languages, including Ukrainian, and their lexicographic fixation in online dictionaries. The history of the formation and development of these neologisms is determined by extralinguistic factors related to Lionel Messi’s football career, first of all, his inspirational play for the Catalan team “Barcelona” and the Argentine national side. The availability of calqued equivalents in more than 20 European languages confirms the internationalization of football language, the tendency towards its monosemantic character, its common mutual understanding and demonstrates the interaction of different lexical systems.

Многоликий жанр в концепции филолога В. С. Вахрушева

This article presents an interdisciplinary conception of genre proposed by the Russian philologist from Balashov, Professor Vladimir Serafimovich Vakhrushev. The feasibility of this task can be mainly seen in two aspects. First of all, Vakhrushev conceives genre as an ideal model generating versatile phenomena not only of discursive, but also of social, cultural, and historical processes. His broad understanding of genre can contribute to the comprehension of the specific speech genres, studied within the specific disciplines isolated so far by their primary tasks, as the elements of a coherent macro system “Genre – Text – Man – Society – Culture – Nature”. Within this macro system, the genres of verbal texts appear to be the structures similar to those of other types, existing elsewhere beyond the realm of art or everyday speech, namely, in nature, history and society. According to V. Vakhrushev, verbal genres and the genres of natural and sociohistorical phenomena share a number of intrinsic properties which are determined by the global ecological law of their adaptation to the ever-changing environment. Secondly, this publication is timed to coincide with Professor Vakhrushev’s 90th anniversary, which falls on September 2022, thus providing a motive for presenting his theoretical legacy to a wider community of linguists, literary scholars, cultural studies scholars, perhaps sociologists, historians, and natural scientists to engage them in a critical discussion. Researchers of speech genres and literary studies may be particularly interested in Vakhrushev’s phenomenological definition of genre and in the ways he is reasoning the isomorphism and the presence of analogies between text genres and the genres of other life forms, such as biology, daily social life and history.

LINGUOCULTURAL FEATURES OF THE CONCEPT SEA IN THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING PRESS (BASED ON THE MATERIAL OF «THE TIMES» HEADLINES)

The sea, in all its scope and variety of denotative sphere, is one of the most important factors in the geopolitical location of Great Britain. The image-concept of the SEA is key in the linguistic consciousness of English people, which is objectivized in linguistic and conceptual pictures of the world. This fact is reflected in linguistic semantics and communicative activity. The relevance of our research is due to the need to study the phenomenon of the sea as a separate, independent cultural sphere of existence, without which it is impossible to imagine the course of the historical development of Great Britain, as well as to identify the relevant semantic components that form the concept of SEA. The specificity and semiotic richness of the concept of SEA is directly related to the historical and cultural experience of British people, to the peculiarities of the geographical location — living on the island, and to the realities that surround the representatives of this nationality. The study of the marine fragment of the world picture of the British became the object of this research for the reason that the world, natural objects and phenomena are part of the cultural world of the British linguistic community. The identification of the national cultural specificity of the linguistic consciousness of the speakers of this culture is related to the study of the content of everyday ideas about the real world. The sea, which is an integral part of the British landscape, has always had a great influence on the identity and language of this nation. The purpose of the research is to identify the specifics of the functioning of the lexeme “sea” within the framework of the linguistic-cultural concept of SEA and its comprehensive description based on the material of newspaper headlines. The subject of the research is the studying of structural and semantic characteristics, information rubrication of the titles in the newspaper discourse, which is part of the concept of SEA. The work is carried out within the framework of the theory of the linguistic and cultural approach, which is a synthesis of several research methods, including conceptual analysis, definitional analysis, and the field method. The research was conducted on the material of the English language. The source of language material was the headlines of magazine texts of the British periodical “The Times” for the period from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022.

Unveiling Cultural Perceptions: The Concepts “Freedom” and “Slavery” in The English and Georgian Linguistic Consciousness

The interrelationship between language and thought serves as the crux of this study, which delves into the comprehensive analysis of the concepts of "freedom" and "slavery" within the context of the English and Georgian linguistic cultures. Through an intricate exploration of linguistic markers, including dictionary definitions and phraseological units, the research illuminates the nuanced and multifaceted nature of these concepts, emphasizing their dynamic interplay with consciousness and cultural perception. Employing a range of research methods, such as conceptual analysis, interpretive analysis, and introspection, the study unravels the intricate layers of meaning embedded within these terms, shedding light on their socio-philosophical underpinnings. The findings underscore the fundamental role of language as a medium for cultural transmission, reflecting the intricate socio-historical contexts and values inherent within each linguistic community. While both languages accentuate the significance of autonomy and subjugation, they do so through distinct linguistic nuances, showcasing the diverse perspectives that shape their interpretation. This comparative analysis not only deepens our understanding of linguistic diversity but also holds practical implications for enhancing intercultural communication and fostering a more profound awareness of the complexities underlying human perception and behavior. Through its meticulous examination of the intricate relationship between language, consciousness, and cultural perception, this study contributes to the burgeoning field of linguistics and cultural studies, paving the way for further research into the intricate dynamics of linguistic diversity and its profound impact on human cognition and societal constructs. Key words: Language, consciousness, freedom, slavery.

Karš Ukrainā: migrācijas ietekme uz Latvijas valodas politiku

Until March 2022, the Republic of Latvia belonged to the countries with rather low migration. Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the situation changed unexpectedly. There was a Ukrainian minority in Latvia (42,300 people or 3.5% of the total population). During the first months of the war, appr. 10,000 refugees, mostly women and children, arrived in Latvia, and numbers may exceed 30,000 at present. A special law has already been adopted, including language and education rights articles. The Ukrainian language has become a more visible participant in the Latvian language market and will probably keep these positions after the Ukrainian victory. At the same time, the Latvian state has to ensure the successful integration of newcomers into Latvian society against the background of Latvian language skills. This aspect may be challenging because a part of Ukrainian refugees use Russian as their family language or have Russian language skills. Ukrainian nationals whose family language is Russian belong to the same linguistic community as members of the Russian minority in Latvia, but their political and ideological views can be completely different, raising the issue of linguistic and national identity. Latvia still has not overcome the consequences of Russification during the Soviet period, and the increase of Russian language use in public space is not in line with the goals of the Latvian language policy.

Genetic Analysis of Mingrelians Reveals Long-Term Continuity of Populations in Western Georgia (Caucasus).

To elucidate the population history of the Caucasus, we conducted a survey of genetic diversity in Samegrelo (Mingrelia), western Georgia. We collected DNA samples and genealogical information from 485 individuals residing in 30 different locations, the vast majority of whom being Mingrelian speaking. From these DNA samples, we generated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences for all 485 participants (female and male), Y-short tandem repeat haplotypes for the 372 male participants, and analyzed all samples at nearly 590,000 autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) plus around 33,000 on the sex chromosomes, with 27,000 SNP removed for missingness, using the GenoChip 2.0+ microarray. The resulting data were compared with those from populations from Anatolia, the Caucasus, the Near East, and Europe. Overall, Mingrelians exhibited considerable mtDNA haplogroup diversity, having high frequencies of common West Eurasian haplogroups (H, HV, I, J, K, N1, R1, R2, T, U, and W. X2) and low frequencies of East Eurasian haplogroups (A, C, D, F, and G). From a Y-chromosome standpoint, Mingrelians possessed a variety of haplogroups, including E1b1b, G2a, I2, J1, J2, L, Q, R1a, and R1b. Analysis of autosomal SNP data further revealed that Mingrelians are genetically homogeneous and cluster with other modern-day South Caucasus populations. When compared with ancient DNA samples from Bronze Age archaeological contexts in the broader region, these data indicate that the Mingrelian gene pool began taking its current form at least by this period, probably in conjunction with the formation of a distinct linguistic community.

PRAGMATIC ASPECTS OF SPEECH ACTS: A CROSS-LINGUISTIC PERSPECTIVE

Effective intercultural communication is a cornerstone of today's globalized world, necessitating an exploration of the pragmatic aspects of speech acts from a cross-linguistic perspective. This research delves into the complex interplay between language, culture, and politeness strategies within the contexts of Bahasa Indonesia and Malay. Using a comprehensive datasets collected through observational field study in diverse naturalistic settings, including workplaces, educational institutions, and everyday social contexts, research examines the performance and interpretation of requests, apologies, compliments, and refusals. The findings reveal a shared preference for indirect and polite language when making requests in both linguistic communities, underlining the universality of politeness strategies. While Bahasa Indonesia speakers tend to employ explicit expressions of regret in apologies, Malay speakers adopt a more subtle approach. Compliments showcase differences, with Bahasa Indonesia speakers favoring direct expressions of admiration and Malay speakers employing nuanced language. Refusals demonstrate stark contrasts, with Malay speakers utilizing indirect strategies and Bahasa Indonesia speakers opting for directness. This study contributes to the growing discourse on cross-linguistic and cross-cultural pragmatics, emphasizing the importance of considering both linguistic diversity and cultural norms in understanding intercultural communication. This research, grounded in real-world interactions, calls for continued exploration of trans-cultural threads in speech act usage and offers valuable insights for enhancing intercultural competence. While acknowledging the study's limitations, researcher invites future research endeavors to delve deeper into the intricate world of speech acts and intercultural communication.