PhD project
Learning Russian as a second language through allusive (precedential) phrases: corpus-based study
This PhD project investigates specific types of allusions used by Russian native speakers, namely references to classical Russian literature. The research includes the analysis of 1) how native speakers use allusions, 2) what type of discourse allusions are frequently used, and 3) how we can implement allusions to teach Russian.
- Duration
- 2022 - 2027
- Contact
- Olga Nozdracheva
This study covers different aspects of allusions. First, although the term itself is common in Russian linguistics, we lack data on the frequency of allusions. Therefore, the first goal is to determine if (and what) allusions are frequent in general. The second goal is to study the pragmatic functions of allusions, i.e., how native speakers use them and what implied meanings they create in the process. Finally, classical allusions are a prospective tool for teaching Russian as an L2 due to the following reasons. On the one hand, they represent cultural heritage and what native speakers find important. On the other hand, the figurative component makes them similar to idioms and metaphors. By studying allusions, students can be exposed to the culture to a broad extent and train their skills to understand figurative expressions. The final research stage of this project involves developing a corpus and learning materials tailored for students learning Russian.