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Title:
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A Study of Languages in Russian Federation
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Author:
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Alok Das
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Email:
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click here to access email
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Homepage:
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http://akdas.wikidot.com/
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Degree Awarded:
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Jawaharlal Nehru University
, Centre of Linguistics and English
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Degree Date:
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2004
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Linguistic Subfield(s):
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Historical Linguistics
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Subject Language(s):
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English
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Director(s):
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Zafar Imam
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Abstract:
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This is as much a study on the languages of the Russian Federation, in particular, as on the sociology of language, in general. For, multilingualism, as such, is in many respects the foundation field out of which the sociology of language grows and ramifies.
One of the important issues that has come on the scene as a result of the disintegration of the Soviet Union is the linguistic cauldron in New Russia affecting its multilingual configuration. Although, the erstwhile USSR was also a multinational state, the issue of language and various problems emanating from it assumed a novel importance in New Russia. This study is an endeavour to present the complex linguistic scenario of Russia in its contemporary socio-political set up, as well as to address the issues that usually come up, for that matter, in any multilingual/ bilingual environment.
Through this study, we have tried to put forth concept, information and suggestion for the construction of as yet an unrealised, and admittedly distant, general theory or model or typology, which should give fuller understanding of the complex conjunctions of variables affecting the over-all language situation in the Russian Federation. All in all, it presents a profile of this linguistic issue with the hope to make a significant contribution to the development of a more 'reflexively aware' and 'culturally focussed' field of language study.
Language of love and trust is historical memory of people, whether in India, Russia or elsewhere. Depicting more or less realistically the present, it ties it up with the mastered past and the desirable future. Language situation in Russia today is therefore a product of the policies put in place in years past. The processes of language policy and its planning carried on since 1991 in the Russian Federation has been explained with a short reference to the historical, political and social outcomes raised by the nationality and language policies implemented during decades in the former USSR. Language legislation, right through, had a close bearing on the language situation, in general, and on linguistic pluralism and syncretism, in particular. It also critically analyses policy anomalies in the Soviet period, and the role of oscillating language ideologies over the years in constructing perceptions of social, ethnic and national difference. The construction of this whole thesis is made on the foundation of this legacy.
Besides, all the languages of the Russian Federation have been considered in an alphabetical order, with relevant linguistic and sociolinguistic details pertaining to each one of them. There are 119 languages enlisted in this register, which may very well serve as an easy reference for all. Attention has solely been given to treating each one of them merely as a linguistic entity and not as based on their social and functional status. Discrepancy in availability of sources has, however, been the only deviator.
A phase of transition is very critical and is often ridden with difficulties. The transformation of cultural-linguistic aspect of ethnic relations in Russia has also triggered off many sociolinguistic issues. This has created new linguistic problems in the country. A perspective on these problem-areas as well as some prospective solutions have been discussed. Problems, such as those of language attitudes, restoration of state languages in the constituent republics, and development of minority languages are the most vital ones. Equally important is the issue of reviving the languages, which are either extinct or on the verge of it. Purely linguistic considerations have to be fruitfully applied to the central problem of survival or revival of the endangered languages. The cost of maintaining small languages is far less than the values that are lost if we let them live
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