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Title: Revival of Russian Language in Central Asian Republics in the Twenty First (21st) Century
Authors: Noor Jehan, Shabir Ahmad Khan
Journal: Journal of European Studies (JES)
Publisher: Area Study Centre for Europe, University of Karachi
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2022
Volume: 38
Issue: 2
Language: English
Keywords: RussiaCentral Asian RepublicsRevivalRussian LanguageEconomicsLanguage Policy
Russian language went into a decline during the 1990s when Central Asian Republics (CARs) simultaneously embarked on the process of nation and state building along with economic transition. The CARs desired to diversify their political and economic relations and to lessen their dependence on Russian Federation during their early transition period. Due to its own economic and political problems associated with its transition, Russia could not pay full attention to its former Soviet states during the immediate post-Soviet period. However, due to the Tsarist and particularly Soviet legacies, the economic connectivity and interdependence of former Soviet states on Russian Federation proved long lasting. The revival of Russian language in former Soviet Central Asian Republics is mainly due to the theory of Economics of Language which explores mutual effects of language and economic variables. It says that fluency and command over a dominant language i.e., a language of science and technology and trade provides more dividends. The CARs are still heavily dependent on trade and remittances of their nationals working in Russia. A large number of workers from the countries of Central Asia work in the Russian Federation. Their remittances contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDPs) of these countries. The CARs re-started promoting Russian language in their countries due to a significant role of this language in their economies and economic relations with Russia. Since 2000, the Russian economic revival has naturally strengthened its political and economic role in the former Soviet space which also includes Central Asia. Consequently, the Russian language also received fresh emphasis.
To establish a link between the revival of the Russian language in the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and their economic development, particularly in the context of the Russian Federation's economic and political resurgence since 2000.
The study analyzes the economic and political relations between the Central Asian Republics and the Russian Federation, drawing upon the theory of "Economics of Language." It examines language policies and planning (LPP) in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, correlating them with economic indicators such as trade, remittances, foreign direct investment, human capital, and job markets. Data from census reports, academic studies, and economic databases are utilized.
graph TD
A[Analysis of Post-Soviet Language Policies] --> B[Examination of Economic Interdependence with Russia];
B --> C[Application of Economics of Language Theory];
C --> D[Correlation of LPP with Economic Indicators: Trade, Remittances, FDI];
D --> E[Case Studies: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan];
E --> F[Identification of Factors Driving Russian Language Revival];
F --> G[Conclusion on Link between Economic Resurgence and Language Revival];
The "Economics of Language" theory suggests that proficiency in a dominant language, especially one associated with science, technology, and trade, offers significant economic advantages. The CARs' continued reliance on trade with and remittances from Russia, coupled with Russia's re-emerged economic and political role in the post-Soviet space, has led to a renewed emphasis on promoting the Russian language. This promotion is seen as beneficial for economic opportunities, human capital development, and fostering favorable political constituencies.
The Russian language experienced a decline in the 1990s following the dissolution of the USSR but began to revive in the 21st century. This revival is primarily driven by the economic interdependence between the CARs and Russia, particularly through trade and remittances from Central Asian migrants working in Russia. The economic and political resurgence of Russia under Vladimir Putin since 2000 has also strengthened its influence and the importance of the Russian language in the region.
The revival of the Russian language in the Central Asian Republics in the 21st century is a direct consequence of their strong economic dependence on Russia, the economic benefits derived from Russian language proficiency, and Russia's own economic and political resurgence. The Russian language continues to be a vital tool for economic advancement, job market access, and regional integration within the CARs.
* In 2004, competence in Russian was reported by 60% of the population in Uzbekistan, 66% in Kazakhstan, and 70% in Kyrgyzstan, according to the "Russian Center of Demographics and Human Ecology (CDHE)" report.
* The value of the Russian economy increased from US$210 billion in 1999 to US$1.8 trillion in 2008.
* In 2019, trade between Russia and Uzbekistan reached US$3.91 billion.
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