LANGUAGE VITALITY OF THE PEOPLES OF RUSSIA

Vida Yu. Mikhalchenko¹, Elena A. Kondrashkina², Svetlana V. Kirilenko³*
¹Prof. Dr., Head Scientific Researcher, Institute of Linguistics, Russian Academy of Sciences, RUSSIA, vida-mi@mail.ru
²Senior Scientific Researcher, Candidate of Sciences (Philology), Institute of Linguistics, Russian Academy of Sciences, RUSSIA, e.kondrashkina@inbox.ru
³Scientific Researcher, Candidate of Sciences (Philology), Institute of Linguistics, Russian Academy of Sciences; Assoc. Prof., MIIGAiK State University, RUSSIA, svetlanavk@inbox.ru
*Corresponding author

Abstract

The article considers the problem of vitality of the languages of the peoples living on the territory of the Russian Federation. This subject of research is timely as substantial changes have been introduced in the school educational program in the last few years. The study of the title language became compulsory for all schoolchildren, regardless of their nationality or the wishes of their parents in a number of republics of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the hours for studying the Russian language were reduced, which caused conflict situations, especially in the Republic of Tatarstan. This situation has led to an enormous controversy in the discussions on national languages, their functional development and the level of their vitality.
The level of vitality of a language is determined by a number of factors. The most important ones are: 1) the number of native speakers; 2) the level of the functional development of the language; 3) the existence of a written tradition; 4) the status of the language and the language policy aimed at its development and support; and a number of other factors.
The subject of research in this article deals with the languages of the Finno-Ugrian peoples which have the status of state languages in their republics: Komi, Mari, Mordovian and Udmurt languages. In these republics, the vitality of languages is strongly influenced by the demographic factor, namely the numerical prevalence of the Russian and Russian-speaking population.
The purpose of the study were the factors mentioned above, which in turn determine the level of vitality and the definition of this level. Special attention is paid to the situation in school education, since the language competence of the whole society depends on the sphere of education. In all points of the study the findings comprise the latest facts and indicators of both official federal statistics and data from regional ministries and the media.

Comparison of the results showed negative dynamics in the development of national title languages, strengthening positions of the Russian language and an increased interest in the English language. The tendency to recognize Russian as a native language is clearly indicated, which makes it possible to speak of a continuing linguistic shift.
In conclusion, there are given some suggestions, which may change the situation with the national languages.

Keywords: language vitality, demographic power of language, language policy, language legislation, language shift.