The Problem of Choosing the Language of Communication: Ukrainian Realities

Abstract

The article analyses the situational change in the language behaviour (code switching) of representatives from different regions of Ukraine based on the data of a statistically significant mass survey of the adult population of different regions in 2017. The dependence of language behaviour on the language situation in a region is confirmed and certain patterns inherent in each of the regions are revealed. The use of the Ukrainian language has a similar dependence on the language situation in all regions, but at different levels: it is used more often when communicating with Ukrainian-speakers, officials, in education, etc. It is rarely used in the information sphere. The connection between the degree of Russification of a certain territory and the laws of language choice in a particular situation is revealed. The articles proposes using the results of mass surveys to study language behaviour through the prism of territorial features, which will help to pursue a balanced state language policy, adjusting tactics in accordance with regional language features.

Keywords

• code switching
• Ukrainian–Russian bilingualism
• mass survey
• territorial features
• language compensation
• language adaptation