Politics of the Russian Language Beyond Russia

The politics of the Russian language and its impact on different Russian-speaking communities are examined in this book, which adopts a comparative approach to compare Russia's language promotion with that of its British, French, and German counterparts. It looks at the language situation and general use of Russian in everyday life, in print media, television, and social media, and at the politics of Russian in a range of countries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Introduction:
The Russian language has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Russia and its surrounding regions. This book aims to explore the politics of the Russian language and its impact on different Russian-speaking communities. It will examine the language situation and general use of Russian in everyday life, in print media, television, and social media. Additionally, it will look at the politics of Russian in a range of countries, including Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ireland, and Germany. By adopting a comparative approach, the book will examine the institutional set-up and practice of Russia's language promotion in relation to its British, French, and German counterparts.

Language Situation and General Use of Russian:
The Russian language is spoken by millions of people worldwide, including in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ireland, and Germany. It is the official language of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, and is also widely spoken in Ukraine and Moldova. In terms of its general use, Russian is the primary language of communication in many regions of Russia and its surrounding countries. It is used in government, business, education, and media. However, there are also significant minority languages spoken in these regions, such as Ukrainian, Belarusian, Kazakh, and Moldovan.

Politics of Russian in Different Countries:
The politics of Russian in different countries can be influenced by a range of factors, including historical, cultural, and political factors. In Ukraine, for example, Russian has been used as a tool of political oppression and propaganda by the Russian government. The language has been banned in some regions of Ukraine and has been replaced by Ukrainian as the official language. In Belarus, on the other hand, Russian is the official language and is widely used in government, education, and media. However, there have been calls for greater language diversity and the promotion of Belarusian as well.

Language Promotion and Reception:
Russia has been actively promoting the Russian language in different countries as part of its foreign policy interests. This promotion has been done through a range of channels, including language schools, cultural exchange programs, and media outlets. However, the reception of Russian language promotion has been varied across different countries. In some countries, such as Ukraine and Moldova, there has been opposition to Russian language promotion, as it is seen as a tool of political oppression and cultural imperialism. In other countries, such as Kazakhstan and Germany, there has been greater support for Russian language promotion, as it is seen as a way to promote cultural ties and economic cooperation.

Comparative Approach:
To examine the institutional set-up and practice of Russia's language promotion in relation to its British, French, and German counterparts, the book adopts a comparative approach. It will compare the language policies of these countries, including their language planning, language education, and language promotion programs. Additionally, it will consider the historical and cultural factors that have influenced these policies.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the politics of the Russian language have played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Russia and its surrounding regions. This book has explored the language situation and general use of Russian in everyday life, in print media, television, and social media. It has also looked at the politics of Russian in a range of countries, including Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Ireland, and Germany. By adopting a comparative approach, the book has examined the institutional set-up and practice of Russia's language promotion in relation to its British, French, and German counterparts and against the history of Soviet cultural diplomacy. The book has highlighted the challenges that the promotion of Russian faces in different contexts and has made recommendations for promoting greater language diversity and cultural exchange in the region.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474463805