The reflection of the call of Latvian State Language Centre to speak Latvian at workplaces in Russian media
Abstract
Summaries:. The Latvian State Language Centre was established in 1992 to ensure an execution of Language Law.
Since 1993 the centre is under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice. It controls laws and regulations concerning national language issues, ensures maintenance, protection and development of Latvian language..
The call to use official language at workplaces appeared on the website of the Latvian State Language Centre on January 16th, 2015. In the call it was mentioned, that the State Language Centre has received several applications that employees in their professional duties in workplaces: shops, public transportation, offices and organizations - use foreign language, mostly Russian.
Also the questions why officials give interviews in foreign languages appeared. This event was actively described in Russian media.
The main topic of media articles during the period from January 19th, 2015 to January 22nd, 2015 is " a prohibition of Russian language in Latvia".. Authors misinform the reader, emphasize the language opposition "Latvian-Russian", use ethnonyms "Latvians-Russians", demonyms and basically align different concepts.
Latvians are characterized as titular.. The negative attitude of authors is shown by vivid epithets, metaphors, hyperboles, references to the background - literature, events in history of language situation, personalities, precedent texts and their periphrasis, which creates intertextuality..
Russian cultural events are presented as the counter-argument against Latvian political and cultural events.. The study shows the manipulative techniques of the Russian media, how the call of Latvian State Language Centre is transformed to the ban.