Cross-Linguistic Stylistic Fusion: How English Political Discourse Shapes Russian Political Science Professionals

The pervasive impact of the English language on global linguistic landscapes is undeniable, with Russian being no exception to this trend. This study explores the extent to which English has influenced Russian-language political discourse, particularly focusing on the stylistic elements that have percolated into the vernacular of Russian student political scientists. Through a meticulously designed experiment, the authors investigated whether the continuous exposure to authentic English political texts – both oral and written – within a structured academic setting has led to the stylistic emulation in the students’ own Russian-language political speeches. Utilizing a complex analytical approach that combines linguistic-stylistic, functional-linguistic, structural-semantic, and statistical methods, the research revealed a notable incorporation of imagery and humor akin to that found in Anglophone political discourse. The findings of the study indicate that a majority of participants have adopted and actively employed stylistic devices such as humor, irony, self-irony, and expressive language tools in their speeches. These devices stand in stark contrast to the traditional tenets of Russian political oratory, suggesting a discursive-stylistic convergence with English norms. The implications of this study are twofold. Academically, it contributes to an understanding of cross-linguistic stylistic influences in an era of increasing globalization. Practically, the insights gleaned from this research have the potential to enhance the teaching methodologies for foreign language acquisition in the field of political science, ensuring that future professionals are equipped with a nuanced command of language that reflects contemporary communicative practices.

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