The Nuances of Using the ‘First Name – Patronymic’ Form in Modern Russian in the Field of Politics and Media Communication

Abstract

The article discusses the nuances of using the ‘first name – patronymic’ form in modern Russian in the field of politics and media communication. Special attention is drawn to cases, such as the rejection of the ‘first name – patronymic’ form in favour of using only the name; asymmetry in communication; the use of non-standard patronymics; the use of patronymics in communication with representatives of other states; features of speech behaviour of opinion leaders. Data used in the article is taken from Russian written and electronic media and lead to the conclusion that in recent decades, the Russian language has seen changes in the use of the ‘first name – paternal name’ form. However, the narrowing of the spheres of use of the paternal name does not mean its complete disappearance. It is still normative in some environments and professional circles (e.g. school, university, official institutions), in official communication involving state office-holders, while the scope of use of this form in broader political and media communication is gradually diminishing.