Bilingualism as a Category of Cultural Philosophical Analysis
https://doi.org/10.32603/2412-8562-2025-11-4-38-47
Abstract
Introduction. The increasing prevalence of bilingualism worldwide is associated with ongoing globalization, heightened intercultural exchange, and migration processes driven by diverse factors. A cultural-philosophical analysis of bilingualism offers a means to evaluate its influence on culture, identity, and intercultural communication. Furthermore, it facilitates the utilization of empirical data to investigate the interrelationship between language, culture, social structures, and cognitive processes.
Methodology and sources. This study aims to elucidate the concept of bilingualism within the framework of the philosophy of culture. To this end, investigations of bilingualism across linguistics, philosophy, and cultural studies were analyzed using content analysis, meta-analysis, and a narrative approach. The methodological basis of this research rests upon principles derived from existential analysis, hermeneutics, and critical theory.
Results and discussion. The analysis of prior research on bilingualism within linguistics reveals the absence of a unified theory. This is evidenced by a lack of consensus on fundamental definitions pertaining to key concepts, such as bilingualism itself, codeswitching, and code-mixing. It is posited that existing classifications of bilingualism are more appropriate to consider as typologizations, given the observed overlap and non-dichotomous nature of the identified types. While the study of bilingualism has historically been confined primarily to linguistics and psychology, with a focus on cognitive processes, language acquisition, and sociolinguistic dimensions, a cultural-philosophical approach allows for transcending these boundaries. This perspective enables the consideration of bilingualism as a phenomenon that intersects with fundamental ontological, epistemological, and axiological questions within culture.
Conclusion. The concepts of E. Levinas's “Other”, G. Simmel's “Stranger” and Homi K. Bhabha's “hybridity” provide valuable analytical tools for understanding bilingualism as a complex and dynamic sociocultural process intimately linked to the formation of both individual and collective cultural identity. Recognizing the dialogic nature of bilingualism and considering the existential experience of bilinguals opens avenues for exploring the cognitive and sociocultural strategies employed by bicultural individuals.
About the Authors
L. S. Moskovchuk
Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Lyubov S. Moskovchuk – Can. Sci. (Philosophy, 2006), Docent (2013), Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy
5F Professor Popov str., St Petersburg 197022.
The author of 62 scientific publications.
Area of expertise: philosophy of culture, philosophy of cinema, cross-cultural studies, axiology, ethics, philosophical anthropology.
O. N. Gusev
Independent researcher
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Oleg N. Gusev – Independent Researcher, Translator and Teacher of French
The author of 5 scientific publications.
Area of expertise: philosophy of language, philosophy of culture, philosophical and socio-cultural features of bilingualism, switching linguistic and cultural codes, translation studies.
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Review
For citations:
Moskovchuk L.S., Gusev O.N. Bilingualism as a Category of Cultural Philosophical Analysis. Discourse. 2025;11(4):38-47. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32603/2412-8562-2025-11-4-38-47
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