Methodological Analysis of the Problems and Concepts of Linguistic Security

The article addresses the issue of linguistic security (LS) as a relevant theoretical and practical phenomenon that requires in-depth scholarly examination and systematisation of the terminological framework. The author analyses a paradoxical situation: despite a considerable number of theoretical studies on LS since the early 2000s, the term has not yet received legal formalisation and is not закреплен (enshrined) in Russian strategic documents — including the Foundations of the State Language Policy of the Russian Federation, approved in July 2025. The paper traces the evolution of the concept of LS — from M.V. Gorbanevsky’s original interpretation (2002) as journalists’ responsibility for statements in the media to broader contemporary interpretations, which include protecting the language from displacement, countering culturallinguistic expansion, ensuring communicative norms, and so on. Particular attention is paid to distinguishing between the domains of linguistic security and linguoculture: while the former is associated with actual and potential threats to the language and linguistic relations in society, the latter covers issues of cultural-linguistic norms, speech culture, and verbal ethics. The author identifies two approaches to understanding LS: narrow approach — protecting the language from displacement by other languages, preserving the norms of the literary language, and countering linguistic expansion; broad approach — incorporating issues of language policy, communicative norms, speech offences, and language conflicts. The article critically analyses various classifications of LS (as part of information, semantic, cognitive, and national security) and argues that the most justified approach is to classify LS as part of civilisational security. Language, along with culture and the dominant belief system, is viewed as a fundamental foundation of civilisation, and its protection is seen as an element of the stability of Russian civilisational identity. Based on the analysis, the author concludes that there is a need for: methodological streamlining of the conceptual framework in the field of LS; clear delimitation of related concepts (linguo-social security, linguo-sociocultural security, etc.); development of strategic documents that would establish the status and mechanisms for ensuring linguistic security in Russia.

1. Kharaziya E.T., Konurbaev M.E.Actual problems of linguistic security. Bulletin of Eurasian Science. 2023;15(1):29. URL: https://sfk-mn.ru/PDF/56FLSK123.pdf (In Russ.).

2. Alekseev K.V. Linguistic (linguistic) security in the Russian national security system. Russian philology and national culture. 2023;1(6):1-8. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.37724/z8016-2905-1967-1

3. Gorbanevsky M.V.Be careful when choosing a word! In collection: The price of a word: From the practice of linguistic expertise of media texts in lawsuits to protect honor, dignity and business reputation. Moscow: Galeria; 2002. (In Russ.).

4. Morozova A.A., AntropovaV.V. Texts of social networks from the point of view of media security: Linguoecological, cultural and speech aspects. Bulletin of the Chelyabinsk State University. 2015;20(375):17-22. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/vjmgkb (In Russ.).

5. Nikova L.O. The problem of linguistic security in business communication. Scientific leader. 2022;3(48):41-43. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/zymmfp (In Russ.).

6. Goryacheva O.N., Gunko O.G. Linguistic security is the key to tolerance in the media. Socio-economic and technical systems: Research, design, optimization. 2016;6(73):42-50. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/ygwvpv (In Russ.).

7. Trofimova G.N. Linguistic security: Towards the problem of interpretation. Bulletin of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. Series: Russian and foreign languages and methods of teaching them. 2012;1:24-29. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/oooobh (In Russ.).

8. Zvezdin L.A. On the problems of linguistic security in Russia: Philosophical aspects of the linguistic hegemony of the West. VSU Bulletin. 2016;3(21):50-59. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/xayglp (In Russ.).

9. Savchenko I.A., Ustinkin S.V. Language policy and linguistic security. Power. 2020;6:286-291. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.31171/vlast.v28i6.7797

10. Skovorodnikov A.P., Kopnina G.A. Linguotoxic phenomena in speech and language. The world of the Russian word. 2017;3:28-32. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/zqqybh (In Russ.).

11. Bogomazova V.V. Destructive communication on the Internet (using the example of the Internet commentary genre). Proceedings of the Volgograd State Pedagogical University. 2022;1(164):225-230. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/toticq (In Russ.).

12. Stroitelev N.M. Trolling as a type of provocative speech behavior. Academic notes of TOGU. 2013;4(4):663-668. URL: https://dm.togudv.ru/media/2013/TGU_4_141.pdf (In Russ.).

13. Kolin K.K., Koshkin R.P., Sibiryakov P.G. Linguistic security of Russia and problems of protection of the Russian language. Strategic priorities. 2019;1(21):91-128. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/dyadqp (In Russ.).

14. Gritsko M.I. Linguistic security is one of the security factors of multinational Russia. Ideas and ideals. 2011;1(3(9)):63-71. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/oikphf

15. Zhigalev B.A., Ustinkin S.V. Linguistic security as a factor of ensuring sustainable development of the Russian Federation. Power. 2015;23(10):32-41. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/umyehr (In Russ.).

16. Kolesnikova O.I. Peculiarities of speech of minors in modern online discourse: The problem of linguistic security of the Russian language. Philological sciences. 2025;5(1):31-38. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.20339/PhS.5.1-25.031

17. Fedorov M.A. The term “Linguoculture” in the aspect of cultural theory. Bulletin of the Buryat State University. 2014;6-2:83-86. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/sbwwor (In Russ.).

18. Agapova I.E. Language as a guardian of cultures. Decorative and applied arts and education. 2015;1(12):1-5. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/zrxzgx (In Russ.).

19. Fedorov M.A. From linguistic relativity to cultural relativity. Bulletin of Irkutsk State Linguistic University. Series: Philology. 2013;2(23):181-185. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/rbwozz (In Russ.).

20. Fedorov M.A. Language as a cultural phenomenon. Bulletin of Irkutsk State Technical University. 2013;6:291- 295. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/qcrckh (In Russ.).

21. Golovin B.N. On the qualities of good speech. Russian language at school. 1962;2. (In Russ.).

22. Biryukova Yu.N. Linguistic security and language policy in the modern Russian context. Legal culture. 2011;2(11):67-72. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/owuxrx (In Russ.).

23. Nikonova Zh.V., Popova T.G. Linguistic security as a special object of linguistics. Bulletin of the Nizhny Novgorod State Linguistic University named after N.A. Dobrolyubov. 2024;1(650):73. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.47388/2072-3490/lunn2024-65-1-73-85

24. Osmaev M.K., Barzayeva B.B., Khozhalieva P.S. The disappearance of languages is a problem of the century. Universum: Philology and Art criticism. 2022;11(101):18-21. (In Russ.).

25. Slyshkin G.G., Malygina L.E., Pavlova E.S. Linguistic security in the aspect of value, ideological and social changes. Upper Volga Philological Bulletin. 2022;1(28):64-69. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.20323/2499-9679-2022-1-28-64-69

26. Remizov V.A., Yankova N.A. Linguistic and socio-cultural security of society: justification of the concept. Bulletin of MGUKI. 2016;5(73):58-59. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/xsbxxb (In Russ.).

27. Lisitskaya L.G. Communicative norms and linguistic safety of modern media texts. Bulletin of the Adygea State University. Series: Philology and art criticism. 2009;1:94. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/knvijn (In Russ.).

28. Palekha E.S. Linguoecology as a factor of information and communication security on the Internet. Scientific notes of Kazan University. Ser. Humanities. 2019;5(6):117-126. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.26907/2541-7738.2019.5-6.117-126

29. Machai T.A. Linguistic security of language in the context of online communication of specialists. In: Modern trends and innovations in science and production. Mezhdurechensk. 2022;322.1-322.7 URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/viwwfe (In Russ.).

30. Soboleva S.M. Tasks and possibilities of linguistic expertise in the context of linguistic and cognitive security of the country. Izvestia of the Oriental Institute. 2020;3:41-47. (In Russ.). URL: https://doi.org/10.24866/2542-1611/2020-3/41-47

31. Frolov F.S. Cultural and linguistic expansion as a threat to Russia’s national security. A monograph. Moscow: Mask; 2014. (In Russ.).

32. Muradov G. Language is the basis of civilization. Ethnodialogues. 2012;4(41):47-49. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/xctfmx (In Russ.).

33. Krieger B. Language as the basis of civilization: An audiobook. URL: https://proza.ru/2025/03/30/141 (In Russ.).

34. Zvezdin L.A. The civilizational security of Russia in the linguistic dimension: The essence and provision in modern conditions. Dis. Cand. Sci. (Philolog.). Moscow: Military University of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation; 2020. URL: https://www.elibrary.ru/yrdvpg (In Russ.).