Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Multilingualism and Identity in the Visual Space: Linguistic Landscape in the Urban Periphery

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2022 15 (11)
Authors
Saduov, Ruslan T.; Varukha, Irina V.; Ganeeva, Elvira R.; Timerbaeva, Ekaterina I.
Contact information
Saduov, Ruslan T.: Innopolis University Innopolis, Russian Federation; ; Varukha, Irina V.: Bashkir State University Ufa, Russian Federation; Ganeeva, Elvira R.: Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation Moscow, Russian Federation; Timerbaeva, Ekaterina I.: Bashkir State University Ufa, Russian Federation
Keywords
linguistic landscape; identity; periphery; language policy; multilingualism
Abstract

This study is devoted to the analysis of the linguistic landscape in the periphery of Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia. Periphery, in this paper, stands for three settlements bordering Ufa. Specifically, we address the connection between the region’s multilingualism and identity to discover if the periphery complies with the regional language policy and how this translates to the local identity. Procedure-wise, we collect the samples of the local linguistic landscape to see what languages are used and what functions they perform. The interpretation of the collected material allows making an inference about the language situation in the periphery and linking it to the local identity. The analysis demonstrates a weak connection between the landscape and regional multiethnicity: smaller businesses and private individuals tend to ignore the local language policy, while state institutions and larger enterprises meet the bare minimum of the requirements. Therefore, it can be concluded that the local authorities use an identity tactic named “adequation” aimed at highlighting the interethnic similarities and neglecting the differences. Such practice may have an adverse long-term effect resulting in social instability

Pages
1637–1654
DOI
10.17516/1997-1370-0942
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/148783

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