Codeswitching in Ukrainian Media: Social Meaning of Ukrainian-Russian Bilingualism in Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18533/8wgxs198Keywords:
Ukrainian language, bilingualism, mediaAbstract
In contemporary Ukraine, the linguistic landscape reflects a complex interplay between Ukrainian and Russian, influenced by historical policies, geography, social identities, and current political dynamics. Through the analysis of Mykhailo Podolyak, Yulia Tymoshenko, and Roman Svitan, this study illuminates various facets of bilingualism, code-switching, and language interference. Podolyak exemplifies "elite bilingualism," blending languages seamlessly in formal contexts, contrasting with Timoshenko's politically motivated acquisition of Ukrainian, marked by pronounced structural borrowings from Russian. Svitan's bilingual media discourse underscores Ukraine's pragmatic bidialectalism, where language choice reflects both personal identity and societal norms. Beyond political elites, the prevalence of Surzhyk highlights a broader sociolinguistic reality, blurring distinctions between Ukrainian standards and hybrid forms. Zelensky's linguistic transition symbolizes Ukraine's evolving national identity, affirming Ukrainian as the predominant state language amid persistent Russian influence in private, media, and regional domains. This fluid diglossic environment redefines bilingual norms, emphasizing language use as a nuanced marker of identity and political allegiance in post-2014 Ukraine.
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