RUSSIAN LANGUAGE AT THE UN: LANGUAGE PLANNING AND REAL CHANGES

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate the results of thirty years of efforts to smooth out the differences between the Russian and English worldviews in the use of the Russian language in international organizations, and to adjust the language policy conducted in this regard. Methodology and Approach. The author studied the texts of simultaneous and written translations into Russian, carried out at the UN in 2018-19, editorial revision, and comments on it. The causes of the regular violation of the compatibility of semantic calques challenge, responsibility, promote, commitment, welcome in terms of language contact are analyzed. A sociolinguistic experiment was conducted aimed at determining the degree of assimilation of these semantic calques by native speakers outside the UN walls. Results. The conclusion is made about the selective possibility of smoothing out of fragments of two language worldviews. Theoretical and / or Practical Implications. Concrete steps are proposed for the implementation of an effective language policy.

Keywords

• language policy
• language contact
• world language
• language worldviews
• semantic calque
• semantic shift