English Translations in the Urban Linguistic Landscape as a Marker of an Emerging Global City: The Case of Kazan, Russia

The article examines dynamic changes taking place in the linguistic landscape of Kazan, Russia, giving special attention to the introduction of English lexical elements and English translations from Russian and Tatar into the formerly bilingual urban linguistic environment as a reflection of current globalization trends. A number of socio-cultural, economic and political factors shaping the linguistic landscape of an emerging global city accounts for the specificity of using English elements in the multilingual system. Quantitative analysis of 8 spheres of business activity and company names has enabled us to draw clear conclusions about the process of shaping the linguistic landscape of an emerging global city.