Representation of Precedent Names in Linguistic Consciousness of Germans in Federal Republic of Germany and Russian Germans
https://doi.org/10.24224/2227-1295-2025-14-6-53-72
Abstract
This study investigates precedent names as nationally marked linguistic units and cultural symbols. It presents data from a free associative experiment conducted in 2022 with two groups: Germans from the Federal Republic of Germany and Russian Germans. The stimuli for the experiment were the precedent names Stalin and Catherine II. Based on the collected data, an associative field was constructed. Utilizing semantic interpretation methodology, the psychologically salient meanings of these proper names were identified. The inclusion of Russian Germans as participants is justified by their unique dual identity, situated at the intersection of German and Russian mentalities. The experiment revealed significant differences in perceptions of Stalin between the ethnic groups studied. In the linguistic consciousness of Germans from the Federal Republic, the name Stalin is primarily associated with geographical location, national affiliation, or a precedent event. In contrast, the psycholinguistic significance of the name Stalin among Russian Germans carries a distinctly negative connotation and is linked to dramatic historical processes. The precedent name Catherine II exhibits a similar connotative significance across both groups but reveals differences in perceptions regarding the ruler's national identity and her role in the country's history.
Supporting agencies: The study was carried out at the University of Giessen named after J. Liebig as part of the DAAD program “International Partnerships in the field of German Studies” (“Germanistische Institutspartnerschaft”) with the significant support of Professor, Dr. Carsten Gansel and Dr. Jose Fernandez Perez. The experiment among Russian Germans was conducted with the support of the International Union of German Culture and Elena Kodyleva personally.
About the Authors
M. A. Kulkova
Kazan (Volga region) Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Mariya A. Kulkova, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Department of Contrastive Linguistics
Kazan
M. Yu. Vasilyeva
Kazan Innovative University named after V. G. Timiryasov
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Marina Yu. Vasilyeva, Senior lecturer, Department of Foreign Languages and Translation
Kazan
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Review
For citations:
Kulkova M.A., Vasilyeva M.Yu. Representation of Precedent Names in Linguistic Consciousness of Germans in Federal Republic of Germany and Russian Germans. Nauchnyi dialog. 2025;14(6):53-72. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24224/2227-1295-2025-14-6-53-72
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