Lyrics of Popular Foreign Songs As a Source of Linguocultural Knowledge for a Foreign Language Immersion

Olga Kovaleva, Karina Stakhova General and Professional Education 4/2014 pp. 18-23 ISSN 2084-1469 LYRICS OF POPULAR FOREIGN SONGS AS A SOURCE OF LINGUOCULTURAL KNOWLEDGE FOR A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IMMERSION Olga Kovaleva Karina Stakhova Faculty of Oriental Studies Chelyabinsk State University 129 Br. Kashirinykh str. 454001 Chelyabinsk e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The article views an alternative method of a foreign language immersion – by applying lyrics of popular foreign songs in the process of studying a foreign language in schools and universities. Analysed are linguoculturological bases of the foreign language learning method, periods in the development of the American song genre. The article proves the importance of musical genre while cognizing foreign culture, the function of the lyrics as a means of storing and transferring culture. It also reveals the basic moral values, cultural traditions, models of behavior and relations in the American society nowadays. On the example of the linguoculturological analysis of some popular American songs the linguocultural potential of the song genre is represented as a means of learning a foreign language and profound understanding foreign culture. Keywords: linguoculture, concept, methods of linguoculture, linguistics, culture, lyrics, song Introduction of a language – being a means of creation, development, storage and transmission of Nowadays political, economic, cultural and culture. communicative issues have become parts of international heritage. One of the results of the The objective and methodology globalizing processes is a trend of learning foreign languages that requires new methods of The aim of the research is proving the quick and effective language acquisition. There importance of usage of lyrics of popular foreign might be an alternative way of foreign language songs as a means of cultural and linguistic immersion. Lyrics of popular foreign songs are cognition. The object of the research are lyrics an unusual material for research and analysis in of modern popular American songs, their this case. Availability of different nations' linguocultural characteristics. music, intercultural cooperation in musical art Linguoculturological approach towards viewing mean the necessity of usage of the lyrics of linguistic units allows to reveal cultural facts popular foreign songs as a cognitive material represented in language, to describe specific for foreigners and native speakers. character of a linguoculture. One of the main The topicality of the research is defined by the notions here is a concept that is a meaningful importance for modern linguodidactics of the aspect of a verbal sign where a notion can be systematic knowledge of effective studying found, the latter referring to mental, spiritual or foreign languages opportunities for materialistic spheres of human being, fixed in implementing one of the fundamental functions General and Professional Education 4/2014 26 LYRICS OF POPULAR FOREIGN SONGS AS A SOURCE OF LINGUOCULTURAL ... public experience of a nation, historically, with anticipation because this day symbolizes socially and subjectively cognized [9]. their nation, freedom, victory of progressive Among different spheres of the USA national ideas. culture music plays a special role. American This single contains the concept “Patriotism” music is a kind of cultural alloy that includes which is revealed with the help of poetic some European genres (madrigal, ballade, aria, vocabulary used by the author: shine, firework, canzonetta) and purely American spirituals, ignite, light, spark. The American patriotism blues and jazz. represents an amazing phenomenon. The Rich musical history of the American culture Independence Day is the core civil holiday in has created a fertile land for development of the USA. On the 4th of July in 1776 the modern musical genres: rock, alternative rock, Independence Declaration was adopted. This pop, dance-pop, jazz, rap and others. Music day became the birthday of the USA. The differs not only in a performance style but also celebration of the Independence Day begins in themes typical of a genre. with vivid pompous civil and military parades Music covers all the spheres of the American which are always accompanied by fireworks society. American performers are not afraid to (K.P.: “Cause baby you're a firework”). throw light upon acute social issues, human This musical composition by Katy Perry is vices, thus attracting attention of all the layers obviously not the only existing reflection of this of the society to the existing challenges [4]. event. Two films on the same topic are widely The material of the research are 10 modern known: “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989) by American songs of the 2010s: Kety Perry – Oliver Stone starring Tom Cruise and “Firework”, Lana Del Rey – “National “Independence Day” (1996) by Roland Anthem”, “30 Seconds to Mars” – “City of Emmerich starring Will Smith. Nevertheless, Angels”, Eminem – “Not Afraid”, Lady Gaga – Katy Perry’s single is exactly a youth’s “Born this way”, “OneRepublic” – “Marchin response, a voice of the modern generation. on”, Rihanna – “Where have you been”, John On the one hand, this song can be considered as Ledgend – “All of me”, “Imagine Dragons” – a yet another meaningless hit for teenagers “Radioactive”, “Casting Crowns” – “Jesus, which can actually insult the great holiday. But Friend of Sinners”. the popularity of the single speaks for itself, proving that even the modern youth does not The research findings forget its history and feels proud about it. The achievements of this musical composition can The research reveals concepts salient for the serve as the evidence of this tendency. The American society: “Patriotism”, “Money”, single “Firework” was ranked first in “American dream”, “Addiction”, “Self- “Billboard Hot 100” (a hit parade of 100 most realization”, “Optimism”, “Love”, “God”. Let's popular songs in the USA weekly published by view the lyrics of some songs revealing their the American magazine “Billboard”). The song linguoculturological potential in the process of was also at the top of such wide-spread club studying the English language. charts as “Hot Dance Club Songs” (hit parade Katy Perry is an American singer, a composer, of dance music “Billboard”), and “Adult Pop an author of lyrics. The song “Firework” (2010) Songs” (one of hit parades of “Billboard” which written in a dance-pop style contains a reminder includes 40 most popular pop songs based the of a national American holiday – the rotation of songs on the radio). Independence Day celebrated on the 4th of Let us move onto the realization of the concept July: “…like the 4th of July”. This song is about “Money” in the song by the American singer the necessity to change one’s life, find a spark Lana Del Rey “National Anthem” (2012). Her inside oneself and become a better, stronger and musical style was described as “the self- happier person. The clip based on this song tells proclaimed gangland version of Nancy Sinatra” us about people with cancer. Comparing the (the American pop singer popular in the 1960s) song and the video it is easy to define that the and marked by cinema-like sound and main idea is to live happily, cherish every references to different aspects of pop culture of moment of life and never give up despite all the 1950s and 1960s. obstacles and difficulties. The Independence It should be noted that the concept “Money” is Day gives the same kind of mood to the extremely popular in the American culture. The Americans. All of them wait for this holiday value judgments about money made by some 19 General and Professional Education 4/2014 Olga Kovaleva, Karina Stakhova American ethic representatives testify that the success. The city is the focal point of the larger attitude towards money is very controversial. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Santa Ana Everybody needs money despite the fact that metropolitan statistical area and Greater Los some people equate it to evil. Money is always Angeles Area region, which contain 13 million the centre of attention, people’s life is regulated and over 18 million people in Combined with it. It is hard not to agree with the following statistical area, making it one of the most statement: “Some worship ranks, some worship populous metropolitan areas in the world in heroes, some worship power, others worship terms of entertainment, computer games, God and they all argue about these things; but cinema, music and TV industries and the everybody worships money with a single second-largest in the United States. Hollywood, heart”. one of the areas of Los-Angeles, also attracts In this song money is a key to success and people from all over the world. In most cases happiness: (Lana D. R.: “Money is the anthem people’s hopes and dreams get broken against a of success. So before we go out, what’s your rock of competition, corruption and emotional address?”). The worship of money and the rich stress. A lot of people achieve nothing. are taken for granted (Lana D. R.: “Money is Disappointment and depression based on this the reason we exist. Everybody knows it, it’s a are destructive for people, especially for the fact”). youth (30 Seconds to Mars: “I’m 17, and The concept “Money” is characterized with a looking for a fight”). complicated associative structure which The concept “American dream” found in this includes such ideas as livelihood and an single reveals the phenomena that happen in the indicator of luxury. A lot of representatives of deepest formations of the American’s the old American generation who in their youth consciousness. “American dream” is a dream of had much less money and property than now a better life; it is directed to an individual and think that the society has become too the realization of his abilities. The individual in materialistic. Young men do not take into this meaning is a centre of the society and he is account the negative influence of money self-contained.

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