Preview

Discourse

Advanced search

Social Advertising as a Marker of Linguistic and Cultural Space

https://doi.org/10.32603/2412-8562-2026-12-2-137-148

Abstract

Introduction. Social advertising is an important element of the modern cultural and linguistic environment, contributing to the formation of public consciousness and the transmission of cultural values. In this work, the authors aim to identify the key characteristics and patterns of social advertising in the Russian and French linguistic and cultural spaces, and to determine the factors that stipulate the differences and similarities in the approaches to creating and promoting social campaigns.

Methodology and sources. The work is based on the methodology of an interdisciplinary approach, using discourse analysis and content analysis. The theoretical and methodological framework is based on works in the field of media discourse and linguoculturology. The empirical material includes examples of social advertising published in Russian and French sources from 2010 up to 2025.

Results and discussion. It has been demonstrated that there are significant differences in the lexical and semantic field of social advertising in the French and Russian linguistic and cultural spaces. The French terminology focuses on emotions and individual responsibility, while the Russian terminology focuses on state interests and collective values. The analysis of the themes revealed significant similarities in the key topics: healthy lifestyle, road safety, addiction prevention, family support, and environmental issues, but with different emphases. French advertising focuses more on environmental issues, gender equality, and cultural heritage, while Russian advertising emphasizes the importance of patriotism, social stability, and traditional values. French advertising also highlights the involvement of corporations in social projects. The Russian segment of social advertising demonstrates a greater commitment to national projects and government programs. These differences are related to the historical features of the formation of structures and participation of the civil society and the development of social initiatives.

Conclusion. The significant differences in the texts and themes of social advertising reflect the cultural traditions and historical factors of Russian and French society. However, both types of social advertising demonstrate effectiveness depending on the cultural context and audience expectations. The differences in approaches highlight the need to consider national specifics when developing social advertising strategies.

About the Authors

E. E. Verezubova
Saint Petersburg State Economic University
Russian Federation

Ekaterina E. Verezubova – Can. Sci. (Philology, 2004), Associate Professor at the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology and Translation 

30–32, let. A, Griboyedov Canal emb., St Petersburg 191023 



O. A. Freidson
Saint Petersburg State Economic University
Russian Federation

Olga A. Freidson – Can. Sci. (Philology, 2004), Docent (2024), Associate Professor at the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology and Translation 

30–32, let. A, Griboyedov Canal emb., St Petersburg 191023 



References

1. Sharapov, R.O., Astahin, A.S. and Voronov, A.A. (2024), “Social advertising as a tool of socially responsible marketing”, Economics of sustainable development, no. 1 (57), pp. 297–303.

2. Nefedova, L.A. and Sotnikova, E.S. (2020), “Linguistic and Cultural Features of the Russian Public Service Advertising Discourse on Road Safety”, Nizhny Novgorod Linguistics Univ. Bulletin, no. 2 (50), pp. 40–52. DOI: 10.47388/2072-3490/lunn2020-50-2-40-55

3. Epremyan, T.V. (2021), “Social advertising discourse: a sociocultural study”, Economy. Sociology. Law, no. 2 (22), pp. 67–83.

4. Markin, I.M. (2009), “Social Advertising Institution as Evaluated by the Russians”, Izvestia: Herzen University J. of Humanities & Sciences, no. 107, pp. 197–201.

5. “Large terminological dictionary”, Quebec Office of the French language, available at: https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/fiche-gdt/fiche/8406431/publicite-sociale (accessed 10.08.2025).

6. Gallo, E. (2023), “The discourses of societal advertising: analysis of Italian and French campaigns”, Dr. Sci. (Philology) Thesis, Sorbonne Univ., Paris, FRA.

7. “Larousse: free online encyclopedia and dictionaries”, Larousse livres, available at: https://www.larousse.fr/ (accessed 10.08.2025).

8. Bathelot, B. (2017), “Social advertising”, Définitions markéting. L'encyclopédie illustrée du marketing, 16.05.2017, available at: https://www.definitions-marketing.com/definition/publicitesociale/ (accessed 10.08.2025).

9. Ryzhenkova, Yu. (2024), “National projects. Trade Union Dictionary”, Solidarnost’ [Solidarity], 03.09.2024, available at: https://www.solidarnost.org/special/profdict/natsproekty.html (accessed 10.08.2025).

10. “Le Robert Online Dictionary”, Le Robert, available at: https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/ (accessed 10.08.2025).

11. “Awareness”, Cambridge Dictionary: English – Russian Dictionary, available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-russian/awareness?q=awareness+ (accessed 10.08.2025).

12. Fouquet, J. (2025), “The French and the family”, Ifop, 19.03.2025, available at: https://www.ifop.com/publication/les-francais-et-la-famille-3/ (accessed 23.08.2025).

13. Sazonova, E.S., Volkova, O.A. (2014), “Public service advertising as a tool of promoting traditional family values in Russia”, Logos et Praxis, no. 5, pp. 43–59.

14. Il’ina, V.V. (2019), “Features of modern Russian social advertising”, Communicology: an electronic Scientific J., no. 2, pp. 46–64.

15. “Social Advertising in Russia: Features, Influence, and Effectiveness”, Skypro, available at: https://sky.pro/wiki/marketing/sotsialnaya-reklama-chto-eto-prostymi-slovami-ob-effektivnosti/ (accessed 26.08.2025).

16. “Sustainable development”, Chanel, available at: https://www.chanel.com/fr/developpementdurable/ (accessed 26.08.2025).


Review

For citations:


Verezubova E.E., Freidson O.A. Social Advertising as a Marker of Linguistic and Cultural Space. Discourse. 2026;12(2):137-148. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.32603/2412-8562-2026-12-2-137-148

Views: 142

JATS XML


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 2412-8562 (Print)
ISSN 2658-7777 (Online)