Ukrainian and Polish languages: to the problems of word ecology
Authors:   Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Ostapchuk V. 
Published: June 2024

The article describes the importance and relevance of the concept of "language ecology". The scientific novelty of the article lies in the fact that it is the first to study the problems of ecolinguistics of the Polish and Ukrainian languages in a comparative aspect. The nature and extent of the impact of modern society and its culture on the Polish and Ukrainian languages is clarified, and the influence of language on human behaviour and thinking is outlined. The article analyses the terms that are closely related in meaning - ecology of language, ecology of thinking, ecology of culture, ecology of the soul, etc. The etymology of the word ecology, consisting of two Greek lexemes, is considered: οἶκος (environment, house, dwelling) and λόγος (doctrine, science, word, concept, thought). In this regard, it is argued that the word ecology means not only the relationship between the organism and the environment, but also the environment of the word (ecology of the word), the environment of thought (ecology of thinking). The ecology of the human soul and the entire nation depends on what this environment will be like. It was found that today's Ukrainian and Polish linguistic environment is characterised by such general negative processes as primitivisation of speech, scarcity of linguistic means for expressing one's own thoughts, dominance of English-language elements, barbarisms, and vulgarisms. The article analyses some negative poems for children by M. Karasyov from The Naturalist's ABC. It is argued that despite the fact that from the linguistic point of view the author does not deviate from the literary norm, does not use profanity and vulgarities, he still promotes permissiveness and immorality, and therefore The Naturalist's ABC is a vivid example of violation of the cultural ecology and spoils the linguistic taste. There is an active process of penetration of not only English words but also Anglo-American cultural realities (Halloween celebrations, etc.) into Slavic languages. It is noted that abbreviations and simplifications in Polish and Ukrainian are most often used in youth slang. Examples of abbreviated formulas of the so-called "computer politeness" are given, which is characterised by the uncritical use of English words. The reasons for the spread of the simplified version of the language are the general trends of modern consumer culture, the processes of globalisation in society, and the fashion for the use of foreign elements in the language. The primitivisation of language is linked to the primitivisation of culture. Low-grade films and literature, the yellow press, and the mass media spread vulgarisms, barbarisms, numerous (often unnecessary) borrowings from the English language, and abbreviations. It is argued that the linguistic environment affects the moral state and spiritual ecology of a person, and effective methods of purifying the ecology of the soul are involvement in high creativity and art. Taking care of the linguistic ecology, native speakers should take care of preserving the national spiritual and artistic heritage of their people. The article makes the conclusion that in order to improve the ecology of the literary language (both Polish and Ukrainian), it is necessary to take care of the education of linguistic taste of modern speakers, which is a condition for the appropriate use of linguistic means, to promote and disseminate moral norms and ideals, traditional national heritage, aesthetics of expression, and high linguistic culture. Key words: ecology, ecology of language, permissiveness, fashion, language norm, anglicisms, vulgarisms, abbreviations.