1. Home
2. Archive
3. 2019
4. №2(37), 2019
5. Semantics of «bribery» in the Russian language mentality (OPEN ACCESS)

Semantics of «bribery» in the Russian language mentality (OPEN ACCESS)

Galyashina E.I.

Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL), Moscow, Russia

Abstract

The article deals with the semantic field «bribe» within the context of the Russian language mentality. The author disputes the opinion about inherent Russianness of historically determined universal corruption which prevails in the Western culture. The verbal practice of allegorical and euphemistic use of lexical representatives of bribe indicates the presence in the Russian language mentality of signs of squeamish modesty and condemnation of situations of official remuneration for illegal actions (inaction) in favor of a person who gives a bribe. Gratitude, within the limits of subjectively assessed reason as a reasonable measure, for the official’s performance of his functional duties corresponds to the ideas of universal justice inherent in the Russian semantic picture of the world, and is not associated with crime.

Keywords

bribe; gratitude; Russianness; language picture of the world; language mentality; justice

For citing: Galyashina E.I. Semantics of «bribery» in the Russian language mentality. Human being: Image and essence. Humanitarian aspects. Мoscow, 2019. Vol. 2(37): Komalova, L., Tregubova, D. (eds.) Semantics of Russianess, pp. 131-151. DOI: 10.31249/chel/2019.02.00

Order this article