Problem fields of contact linguistics terms

Abstract

Bilingualism as a multidimensional problem is studied in many sciences. Bilingual research in linguistics is primarily about studying the specifics of languages functioning in close contact. The terminological apparatus of this field is ex-tensive, but it has a number of imperfections. Despite the long history of bilingual studies, there is no clear definition of each term used here. This article analyzes the basic terms of bilingual studies, their definitions, and approaches to their use. Key terms in bilingual studies include bilingualism, interference, transference, code-switching, borrowing, and several others. The terms «interference» and « transference» raise the majority of questions, which is primarily due to the differences in Russian and foreign linguistic traditions. At the same time, the formation of a linguistic personality is influenced not only by the level of language proficiency, but also by the cultural and social environment. The terms «linguistic biography» and «semilingualism» were introduced to describe the totality of factors influencing the linguistic personality of a bilingual. The terms «code-switching» and «borrowing as a form of language interaction» are also problematic in contact lin-guistics, but many linguists refer to them as special cases of lexical interference. After analyzing bilingual terminology, the author concludes that mutual interaction of languages in speech contact is not static; therefore, it cannot be placed in the existing conventional frameworks and schemes. This is why terminol-ogy disputes are inevitable, and the basic terms of contact linguistics constitute a special study case.