Examines Russian language politics and its impact on different Russian speaking communities

Exploring Russian as a pluricentric language, this book provides a panoramic view of its use within and outside the nation and discusses the connections between language, politics, ideologies, and cultural contacts. Russian is widely used across the former Soviet republics and in the diaspora, but speakers outside Russia deviate from the metropolis in their use of the language and their attitudes towards it. Using country case studies from across the former Soviet Union and beyond, the contributors analyze the unifying role of the Russian language for developing transnational connections and show its value in the knowledge economy. They demonstrate that centrifugal developments of Russian and its pluricentricity are grounded in the language and education policies of their host countries, as well as the goals and functions of cultural institutions, such as schools, media, travel agencies, and others created by émigrés for their co-ethnics. This book also reveals the tensions between Russia’s attempts to homogenize the 'Russian world' and the divergence of regional versions of Russian reflecting cultural hybridity of the diaspora. Interdisciplinary in its approach, this book will prove useful to researchers of Russian and post-Soviet politics, Russian studies, Russian language and culture, linguistics, and immigration studies. Those studying multilingualism and heritage language teaching may also find it interesting.

This work provides an examination of the political issues surrounding the fate of ethnic Russians who, since the beginning of 1992, have found themselves living in non-Russian nation-states. Analysis focuses on three areas: relations between expatriate Russian-speaking communities and their host populations; the impact of expatriate issues on Russian domestic politics, such as the sensitive issue of the Crimea; and the role of the new Russian diaspora in relations between the states of the former Soviet Union. Detailed case studies are provided of the development of a national identity within the Russian-speaking communities of five Soviet Republics: Estonia, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

A note on names.

In the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, this volume examines the relationship Russia has with its so-called ‘compatriots abroad’. Based on research from Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Ukraine, the authors examine complex relationships between these individuals, their home states, and the Russian Federation. Russia stands out globally as a leading sponsor of kin-state nationalism, vociferously claiming to defend the interests of its so-called diaspora, especially the tens of millions of ethnic Russians and Russian speakers who reside in the countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. However, this volume shifts focus away from the assertive diaspora politics of the Russian state, towards the actual groups of Russian speakers in the post-Soviet space themselves. In a series of empirically grounded studies, the authors examine complex relationships between ‘Russians’, their home-states and the Russian Federation. Using evidence from Belarus, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Ukraine, the findings demonstrate multifaceted levels of belonging and estrangement with spaces associated with Russia and the new, independent states in which Russian speakers live. By focusing on language, media, politics, identity and quotidian interactions, this collection provides a wealth of material to help understand contemporary kin-state policies and their impact on group identities and behaviour. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Europe-Asia Studies.

How will Russia redraw post-Soviet borders? In the wake of recent Russian expansionism, political risk expert Agnia Grigas illustrates how—for more than two decades—Moscow has consistently used its compatriots in bordering nations for its territorial ambitions. Demonstrating how this policy has been implemented in Ukraine and Georgia, Grigas provides cutting-edge analysis of the nature of Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy and compatriot protection to warn that Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Baltic States, and others are also at risk.

This unique Russian-language textbook draws on printed mass media, especially up-to-date Internet media sources, to introduce intermediate and advanced students to varied aspects of modern Russian life. Presenting fascinating material on armed conflicts, government and politics, business and economics, accidents and catastrophes, the new Russian class society, problems of youth, and more, the book provides the cultural and linguistic background necessary to better understand Russian media reports and to gain insights into Russia’s current political, economic, and cultural issues. Features of the book include: vocabulary development exercises; pre- and post-reading classroom activities; information on Russian media, government, politics, economics, and military; a Web site with extensive Internet tasks, interactive dictionary, updates, instructor material, and links to relevant information; and a multimedia supplement based on current Russian television programs.