The Russian language as a factor of socio-cultural integration of Donbass

the article explores the role of the Russian language as a factor of socio-cultural integration of Donbas in the conditions of modern geopolitical changes. The aim of the study is to analyse its influence on the processes of formation and maintenance of the socio-cultural identity of the region's residents. In this context the following tasks are solved: a) to study the historical context of the language situation in Donbass; b) to analyse the functioning of the Russian language in various spheres of public life; c) to assess the impact of language policy on socio-cultural identity. The essence of the hypothesis: the Russian language plays a determining role in the socio-cultural integration of Donbas, being not only a means of communication, but also an important element of cultural identity. The methods of historical analysis, sociolinguistic research, content analysis, analysis of sociological data and expert assessments were applied in the work. The results of the study demonstrate that the Russian language continues to play an important role in the life of the residents of Donbas, despite the language policy of recent decades.

the Russian language, russistics, medialinguistics, philology, press, mass media, Donbass, precedent units, linguoculturology