Panov V. Ya. Language imperialism: Ukrainian context. – Qualification scholarly paper: a manuscript.
Thesis submitted for obtaining the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human Sciences, Speciality 033 – Philosophy. – V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv, 2025.
The study examines the theory of linguistic imperialism. The relevance of the study is due to the fact that Ukraine, while moving away from the influence of the Russian Empire and its language, is simultaneously integrating into another imperial language project - English as the language of the Empire (Hardt and Negri).
We introduce the concept of a lingua franca - a language of global communication. The dilemma around lingua franca is next: it is both an imperial project and a necessary condition for global communication. That is, lingua franca is an imperial project that cannot be abandoned.
The object of research is the theory of language imperialism, which we concentrate and apply in the concept of lingua franca.
The subject of the study is the functioning of Russian and English as lingua francas in the Ukrainian context.
The aim of the study is to examine the impact of language imperialism (lingua franca) projects on Ukrainian society; to identify the mechanisms of their actions and to find ways to minimise their impact.
In order to achieve the defined goal of the dissertation research, the following tasks were singled out:
To clarify the connection between theories of imperialism and linguistic imperialism.
To conceptualize the notion of lingua franca, which we use to describe contemporary linguistic imperialism.
To analyse the modern Ukrainian society (after the invasion of the Russian Federation in 2022) on the influence of the Russian and English lingua francas on it. This also involves establishing the features of these two projects, the consequences of their operation on the territory of Ukraine, etc.
In the course of the research, to propose changes for the modern language paradigm, thanks to which it would be possible to imagine the lingua franca as pure communicative project.
The theoretical and methodological position of the dissertation is the theory of linguistic imperialism (B. Kachru, Y. Tsud, and R. Phillipson). We also draw important concepts from postcolonial studies (F. Fanon, E. Said, G. Baba, R. Chau), with which we saturate and complement the theory of linguistic imperialism. In addition, the following general scientific methods were used: comparative (comparison of the imperialism of the English and Russian languages), analysis and synthesis (theories of linguistic imperialism and imperialism were analysed, and their conclusions were synthesized into a general theory), abstraction (modeling of the lingua franca as a universal model for the imperialism of different languages), etc.
Scientific novelty - this work is the first systematic attempt in Ukraine to adapt the achievements of the theory of linguistic imperialism to the Ukrainian context. In addition, the concept of lingua franca is introduced.
For the first time:
The concept of lingua franca is introduced;
the findings of the theory of linguistic imperialism are applied to the Russian language;
the concept of the translingual subject is introduced;
Clarified and deepened:
the relationship between imperialism and linguistic imperialism;
the theory of imperialism is presented with an emphasis on the linguistic component in the implementation of economic exploitation;
clarified that traditional language imperialism is based on a multicultural logic, which contradicts the transcultural essence of the modern subject;
the distinction between the Inner, Outer and Expanding Circles were transferred to the context of the Russian language;
the theory of linguistic imperialism was deepened with findings of the theory of cultural imperialism/postcolonial studies;
Further development:
Rancière's small concept of communicative strategies of power/resistance;
R. Barth's concept of systemic figures, outlined in the context of his ‘War of Languages’;
further proposed changes in the modern linguistic paradigm to weaken the imperialist influence of global languages.
The theoretical and practical significance. Obtained results could be useful for the development of a language policy within the state. The theoretical significance of the work is connected with an attempt to solve problematic points in the theory of language imperialism, and the application, and adaptation of this theory to the Ukrainian context. We also believe that the introduction of the concept of lingua franca is promising for the study of globalized modernity.
