The Language and Identity Question: Revisiting the Contemporary Russia vis-à-vis Germany

Abstract

The language and identity question arising from the presence of multiple languages and identities in a socio-political entity, is a common feature in multiethnic polities, including the contemporary Russia. Extant studies on language and identity in Russia focused largely on linguistic and ethnic pluralism, with little attention paid to language and identity question. This study was, therefore, designed to examine language and identity question in contemporary Russia. This was with a view of analysing the nature of language and identity question and the policies to address it. Constructivism served as the framework. Historical method was adopted and interpretive design was utilised. Primary and secondary sources were used. The primary sources included documents and policy papers of Russian government. Unstructured in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected informants. Secondary sources comprised journals, books and internet materials. Data were subjected to historical analysis. The study revealed that ethnic identity and language preference continue to be major banes in actualizing cohesive national identity in the contemporary Russia. In addition to this, it showed that governmental policies were made to address reoccurring phenomenon of linguistic issues bordering formation of peaceful societal setting in relation to socio-cultural development in Russia. It further revealed that the Russian Federation Language Act of 1991 addressed dichotomy between Russian and titular languages. Also, that the Constitution of the Russian Federation of 1993 adopted Russian as the State language and allowed Republics right to their languages and the National Cultural Autonomy of 1996 gave autonomy to non-ethnic Russians. Finally, it revealed that the Cultural Diplomacy Conception of 2010 promoted Russian language and culture of the ethnic nationalities while the Strategy for State Ethnic Policy of 2014 suppressed minority movements and harmonised inter-group relations.