Ethno-Demographic Factor in Attributions of the Processes of Linguistic Integration of the Russian Population in the Republics of Russia

The article considers the problem of linguistic integration of the Russian population in the national republics of the Russian Federation based on the data of the all-Russian censuses of 2002, 2010, and 2020. A new perspective on the phenomenon of linguistic integration is proposed, focusing on the process of mastering the state languages of the national republics of the Russian population. It is emphasized that this approach allows us to go beyond the understanding of linguistic integration as a purely applied adaptation process characteristic of migrants and to consider it as a factor in the formation of cultural identity and mental characteristics of native speakers. The theoretical and methodological basis of the research is a comprehensive analysis of statistical data from censuses in combination with a qualitative interpretation of the results, taking into account sociolinguistic, ethno-demographic, and historical factors. The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods makes it possible to obtain a multidimensional picture of the linguistic integration of Russians in the national republics and to identify their regional characteristics. The most important quantitative parameters of the Russian population’s mastery of the republics’ title languages are shown, the dynamics of these indicators are traced over two decades, and comparative analyses are carried out for different regions. The study results show that the degree of linguistic integration of Russians in different republics is very different, which only partially correlates with the proportion of the Russian population and the dynamics of their numbers. It is concluded that the linguistic integration of the Russian population in the national republics is influenced by a complex of factors, including the peculiarities of the ethno-demographic structure, the degree of urbanization, the nature of the language situation, the language policy in the regions, etc. It turns out that a high level of proficiency in Russian in the titular language is characteristic of republics with a relatively small share of the Russian population and a high degree of participation in interethnic interactions. In most republics, the level of Russian proficiency in the titular languages remains consistently low, but in some regions (Chechnya and Tyva), there has been a significant increase in the corresponding indicators. These data show the potential for the linguistic integration of the Russian population under certain socio-cultural conditions and the need for a differentiated approach to language policy in various regions of Russia. The results obtained can be used to improve state language policy and optimize interethnic relations in the multiethnic regions of Russia. The prospects for further research are connected with a deeper study of the various aspects of linguistic interaction between the Russian population and the titular peoples of the republics of the Russian Federation.

linguistic integration, Russian population, national republics, state languages, titular languages, language situation, language policy