FEMINATIVES IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE UKRAINIAN EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC SPHERE: OFFICIAL AND SEMI-OFFICIAL PRACTICE

Halyna SІUTA,
Doctor of Philological Sciences, Leading Researcher of Department of Stylistics, Language Culture and Sociolinguistics,
Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
4, Mykhaila Hrushevskoho St., Kyiv, 01001, Ukraine;
e-mail: siutagalia@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3273-1644

Heading: LANGUAGE STANDARDS: CONSTANT AND CHANGING
Language: Ukrainian

Abstract
The active feminisation of multistyle Ukrainian language practice is one of the most noticeable changes taking place in the Ukrainian language of the ХХІ century. In addition to well-known socio-cultural factors (e.g. gender transformation of social consciousness, rethinking stereotypes of womenʼs social role, models of womenʼs behaviour in society and family), an important role in supporting feminisation is also played by language fashion, which influences the perception of naming women with masculine nouns as discrimination, violation of the principles of gender tolerance and gender-correct language behaviour.
Feminisation is different in functional styles. The official business style, including the official business practice of the educational and scientific sphere, is the least susceptible to the innovations outlined above.
The study has revealed asymmetry in the use of feminatives in the official and semi-official segments of the language of the educational and scientific sphere. It has been established that the texts of the website of the Ministry of Education and Science, especially departmental documents as an example of administrative and clerical sub-style, do not contain feminine gender. Instead, the language of educational platforms and educational information resources (as a semi-official sphere of communication) is more receptive to these units.
Traditional masculine forms for naming positions, statuses, and specialities of women dominate the texts of such important genres of administrative and managerial communication in the field of education and science as letters and orders. There are no feminine forms (except for pupil) in the analysed texts of orders and instructions.
The absence of feminatives in the administrative and managerial discourse of the educational and scientific sphere can be explained by the fact that feminatives are not currently codified as a single grammatical norm, but remain a recommended option.
Semi-official language practice, in particular the language of educational platforms and online resources, is more sensitive to feminisation processes. It demonstrates the tolerant attitude of employees in the field of education and science to the use of feminine gender, and therefore becomes a kind of tool for their dissemination in the official business style of this sphere.
Key words: official business style, language of the Ukrainian educational and scientific sphere, administrative and managerial communication, semi-official language practice, norm, spelling, feminative.

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