| Abstract [eng] |
Due to globalization processes, economic prosperity of English-speaking countries and development of technologies, in the 20th century English became a global language, a business, science, international communication lingua franca. Growing number of English users and extreme popularity of one language evoked world linguists‘ concern regarding negative influence of the English language towards smaller national languages. Some (D. Crystal) indicated threat towards extinction of many modern languages. This situation determined language policy towards English in the world. Hegemony and global scale of English negative influence towards other world languages determined that language policy towards the English language in the world expressed two linguistic approaches: on the one hand, domination and further related linguistic globalization (Diffusion-of-English Paradigm), on the other hand, intention to form linguistic diversity and keep purity of national languages (Ecology-of-Language Paradigm). No doubt that choice of suitable language policy towards English is crucial for states experiencing English influence. Significance of proper language policy planning in Lithuania and importance of keeping Lithuanian pure is seen through different language questions and discussions which arise in society and among linguists in recent years. After restoration of Indepence in Lithuania, Russian influence on Lithuanian was replaced by English influence. Internet is one of the fields where English influence Lithaunian. Internet penetration in this country is high, a lot of people communicate in internet, therefore, motives for chosing English over Lithuanian of those creating the electronic discourse are important. In order to investigate to what extent English influence Lithuanian on internet, discussion forums were chosen for language analysis. The subject of this work was to analyze what influence English has on Lithuanian on internet. The objectives of this work were to review language specifics in internet situations where electronic discourse was used, to analyze language policy paradigms towards English in the world, to review language policy situation in Lithuania and investigation done on the topic, to analyze to what extent and how English influence Lithuanian in a chosen internet situation. Lithuanian discussion forums were chosen for quantitative content analysis. Language analysis was also supplemented by questionnaire and short interviews prior to distributing the questionnaire. The results confirmed that English does influence Lithuanian on internet. Internet users chose to use English words, terms, phrases, names, adapt English words to Lithuanian language system. However, it is difficult to evaluate size of this influence. More detailed language analysis should be done and the results should be compared with similar investigation results in the world. |
