A comparative analysis of the concept “mother tongue” in the consciousness of the Chinese and Russians: A case study of the Chinese and Russian language corpora

The concept “mother tongue” occupies a significant place in the cultural and linguistic landscapes of China and Russia. This article presents a comparative analysis of this con- cept based on the national corpora of both countries, aiming to identify its content and the characteristics of the linguistic consciousness among the Chinese and Russian speakers. The study’s results demonstrate that the concept “mother tongue” has got a positive connotation in the linguistic consciousness of both Russians and the Chinese. The research underscores the importance of preserving and developing native languages within the framework of lan- guage policies aimed at promoting national languages and ensuring linguistic diversity and inclusive societal development.