Pragmatic Potential of Ethnic Identity and Its Effective Realization in International Interaction
The issue of personal ethnic identity, its manifestation as well as evolution lies in the very centre of current socio-linguistic researches. The situations in which pejorative and ameliorative ethnonyms are used represent peculiar interest due to the «plasticity» - the core feature of ethnicity. The article deals with the discourses affecting changes in interlocutors’ behaviour in communicative situations (both interpersonal and intergroup encounter are considered). The communicative situations are studied through the analysis and interpretation of the pragmatic potential of ethnic considerations favorable for both partners. The orientational influence exercised by the ethnic names is under consideration. The particular attention is drawn to the vector of ethnicity development typical of each participant.