MOTHER TONGUE OF MODERN KALMYKS: A SOCIOLINGUISTIC STUDY

Tsagan D. Mandzhieva

Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russian Federation

Abstract

The article analyzes the current tendency to revise the concept of the term «native language» in the context of the modern language situation in Russia. The «native language» is directly related to ethnicity, national identity, focused on the history and culture of the ethnic group; in view of its complex content, it should be noted that this topic has previously been considered by scientists in other studies. This category will be studied in conjunction with the linguistic situation, which will make it possible to analyze its essence and functions. The author examines the trend of the spread, use and interpretation of the term «native language» and its functions on the example of the Kalmyk linguistic community of the Republic of Kalmykia, where in 2020-2021a comprehensive sociolinguistic study was carried out. As a result of the field study, it was revealed that the concept of «native language» is understood by respondents in different ways, depending on influencing factors, for example, social, religious, etc.

Keywords: mother tongue, national identity, state language, functionally first language, language of parents

For citation: Mandzhieva Ts.D. Mother tongue of modern Kalmyks: a sociolinguistic study. Sociolinguistics, 2021, no. 1(5) [online], pp.164–174. DOI: 10.37892/2713-2951-2021-1-5-164-174