GENDER ASPECTS OF LINGUISTIC REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE MILITARY CONTEXT: LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE, SUPPORT

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to examine linguistic units pertaining to the role of women in military discourse, with the aim of identifying overarching thematic areas that embody the essence of female leadership, experience, encountered challenges, and the transformative influence of women in the context of the present war in Ukraine. The empirical base of this research consists of a corpus of texts collected from publications posted on the Facebook page of the community “Women’s Veteran Movement”. The study employed a linguistic approach to examine the portrayal of female subjectivity in contemporary military discourse within Ukraine.Empirical evidence has demonstrated that in conditions of full-scale war, not only does the social status of women in the Armed Forces undergo transformation, but also the nature of their linguistic presence. It is evident that women are progressively establishing their own narratives, operating not as objects of description but as full- fledged communicative subjects who exert a significant influence on the content and structure of military discourse.A comprehensive analysis of the textual productions of female military personnel reveals the presence of five overarching thematic dimensions. These include combat experience, professional identity, female solidarity, challenges and barriers, and the aspiration for personal realization. It has been determined that these prevalent interpretations constitute a multifaceted discursive domain indicative of shifts in gender roles and an augmentation in the linguistic representation of women within the domain of national security.A close examination of the discourse reveals a deliberate circumvention of conventional feminine forms, thereby illustrating the intricate relationship between official language norms, the expectations of the military hierarchy, and the individual attitudes of the speakers. This phenomenon can be interpreted as both an attempt at integration into a conventionally masculinized professional environment and, conversely, as a manifestation of depersonalization or symbolic denial of female presence.The necessity to reevaluate language policy in the domain of military communication, with the objective of ensuring equitable and legitimate representation of women has been substantiated. Such an approach will contribute to the formation of an inclusive discourse that reflects real changes in the social structure of the Armed Forces.