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Abstract
The present article deals with receptive multilingualism (RM) in communication between Estonian salespersons and Finnish customers in Tallinn. A historical background and general description of this communication is provided. It is argued that RM is an established practice in this type of communication and that a nation-state is not necessarily marginalizing communication that deviates from monolingual norms. The notion of mutual intelligibility is critically analysed, and the data confirm that understanding is not exclusively dependent on material similarities between closely related varieties. Accommodation and negotiation are present in both sides, yet strategies employed by Finnish and Estonian interlocutors differ. The distinction between inherent and acquired RM is relevant in Russian-Finnish communication which takes place in the same environment. Finally, further research questions are formulated.
Keywords
Estonian, Finnish, language contacts, receptive multilingualism
1 Introduction
During the past few decades, research in contact linguistics, pragmatics, language acquisition and bilingualism has undergone a significant focus shift: monolingual speech communities and individuals are no more considered as an unmarked case and as a departure point for studies on multilingual speech, and multilingualism is not treated as a peripheral, marginal or marked phenomenon (Franceschini, 2008). Receptive multilingualism (henceforth RM) is a case of multilingualism where the interlocutors use their respective first languages while speaking to each other (Zeevaert & ten Thije, 2007, p. 1). To this definition I would like to add also the possibility of compromise and conscious imitation of the language of interlocutor, as well as creative use of linguistic resources. This addition is necessary because otherwise the understanding of RM would be two narrow (i.e. limited to the use of respective L1s only). Research on RM is a currently developing new field which intercedes with other disciplines, such as contact linguistics, intercultural pragmatics, bilingualism, language acquisition, etc.
The aim of the current study is twofold: (1) a general characterization of Estonian-Finnish communication in Tallinn between Finnish tourists and Estonian salespersons (henceforth EFC); and (2) an outline of relevant research perspectives on the mentioned bilingual communication in the context of the expanding field of RM. My main interests lie in the area of contact linguistics and contact-induced language change and I am going to concentrate on the instances of non-monolingual speech (i.e. forms and items that...