Skazana na imperium? Lęki i dyskurs imperialny w procesie samoidentyfikacji Rosji poradzieckiej

The goal of the article is to indicate the reasons why formulating a new Russian non-imperial identity has failed. Applying the Ontological Security Theory shows the fall of the USSR as a critical situation that undermined the so-called fundamental questions of the Russian identity. The return of the imperial discourse was triggered by ontological anxiety connected to two fundamental questions: social relations with the significant Other and the finitude. The article discusses in detail the latter. Pending anxiety has activated imperial habitus, which is illustrated by the case of the Russian Geographical Association.

Saudis’ Attitudes Towards Their Dialects: A Keyword Technique

Language attitude research uncovers perceptions about the diversity of languages and dialects. It follows how such diversity is stereotypically perceived, which influences the usage of dialects among people. Therefore, diverse contexts, such as Saudi Arabia, necessitate research attention to reveal how stereotypes Saudis hold towards their dialects might affect their usage. Little research has focused on the broad language attitudes in Saudi Arabia, and none of the previous studies have identified the major language attitudes in the region using keyword technique. Using an open-ended questionnaire, the present study identifies the major attitudes regarding the main dialects in the country: Central, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western dialects. The names of the dialects were represented conceptually in the questionnaire. Seventy-eight participants were recruited for the study. First, they were asked to write down their first impressions of Saudi dialects. Second, they were asked to name the most dominant spoken dialect. Eight evaluative themes emerged from the study: affective positive, affective negative, linguistic features, awareness of language variation, cultural association, geographical association, tradition and modernity. Each of them reflects vivid stereotypical suppositions of the dialects. Furthermore, 68% of participants perceived Najdi as the most dominant dialect in Saudi Arabia. KEYWORDS Sociolinguistics, language attitudes, perceptions, stereotype, evaluative profiles, Saudi Arabia

Gender Perception in Multi-cultural Classroom Discourse

Societies shape people in and outwards look with different connotations such as gender, attitude and behavior. Humans are the product of society, and each society is different in terms of the environment created by the dwellers. There are societal taboos that are common and similar in most societies of the world, but such cultural affinities are due to the geographical association and the impact of globalization. Common norm, which is practiced in one society is not acceptable in other society, whether it is within a country or in another country. For example, house chores and taking responsibility for the care of the husband is appreciated in Libya, but the same practice is not considered a stereotype in turkey. Women craze for ornaments in South Africa, similar to the customs in Libya and turkey. The discourse of the participants reveals a cultural perception that varies from person to person and culture to culture. Thoughts and behavior are made by society, and the same thoughts are changed with a wave of time.