Ethnic stereotypes in the Russian language of 19th century: the dictionary “Proverbs of Russian people” by V. Dahl

Efremov V., Petrenko E.

The article analyzes ethnic stereotypes presented in the dictionary “Proverbs of Russian people” by V. Dahl. Attention is paid to the ethnic nominations related to specific historical events (for example, the French in connection with the Patriotic War of 1812) as well as to the nominations of permanent neighbors of the Russians (Roma, Jews, Tatars, etc.). The image of the Ukrainian in the Russian linguistic consciousness is an integral part of the analysis since involvement of the Ukrainians into an idea of the united East Slavic ethnos has always been the subject of discussion. It is shown that ethnic stereotypes strictly divide society into “us” and “them” hence “them” are often endued with negative characteristics. Distancing from “them” each ethnic group strives to reflect on its distinction and to establish its own identity.

Keywords:ethnic stereotype, ethnonym, ethnophaulism, hate speech.