Cross-Cultural Universals & Differences in American & Russian Nicknaming Patterns

ANS 2023, January 20, 2023 "Cross-Cultural Universals and Differences in American and Russian Nicknaming Patterns" by Anna Tsepkova (Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University, Russia) The paper aims at analysing the results of a cross-cultural research of anthroponymic nicknames collected from students of Eastern Washington University (the USA) and Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University (Russia) for the project “A Cross-Cultural Dictionary of American and Russian Nicknames of Persons”. Comparative analysis of the American and Russian samples shows that macro patterns in both linguocultures are represented by nominations, motivated by external characteristics of a nominee (characterizing nicknames) and nicknames derived from a nominee’s personal name (linguistically motivated nicknames). Within these macro patterns the following quantitative differences are observed: a) in the American sample linguistically motivated nicknames significantly prevail over characterizing nicknames (49% vs 24 % nicknames respectively); in the Russian sample the two macro patterns are almost equal in proportion (48% characterizing vs 44% linguistically motivated nicknames); b) the majority of linguistically motivated nicknames, as reported by the American subjects, derive from first names (96%), whereas in the Russian sample nicknames from last names are more numerous (69% as compared to 25% nicknames from first names); c) the majority of characterising nicknames in the American sample are motivated by personality traits (29%) or appearance (24%), while in the Russian sample characterizing nicknames refer mostly to appearance (50%). Quantitative disproportions are determined by the differences in interpreting the concepts nickname / прозвище (prozvishshe) in corresponding linguocultures and the impact of political correctness and privacy on the native speakers’ verbal behavior (specifically, restrictions concerning naming and nicknaming practices). ANNA TSEPKOVA comes from Novosibirsk (Siberian region of Russia). She is Associate Professor of the English Language Department (Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University), holding a degree of the Candidate (PhD) in Philology. She is a member of ICOS and a vice-chair of the Siberian Association of Foreign Language Teachers.