The Russian language has evolved into a lingua franca in post-Soviet immigrant communities, prompting an analysis of its use in different domains. Everyday Linguistic and Cultural Practices of the Russophone Diaspora explores the language maintenance of Russian abroad, emphasizing the role of educational ventures and transnational communications facilitated by the internet. This book researches specific aspects of migrant life, including occupational practices, homemaking, family dynamics, cultural engagement, and linguistic hybridity, and makes use of extensive empirical data spanning Soviet, post-Soviet, and non-Soviet migrant generations collected from European, North American, and Asian communities. Relations between different migration waves are not always friendly, but are mediated through online discussion forums, which help to foster mutual understanding. Like all migrants, Russophones seek better opportunities by establishing new homes, revealing intergenerational differences in lifestyle and adaptation. This volume focuses on the emigration waves between 1990 and 2020, and points to shifts in values and migration expectations and reflecting on the evolution of diasporic communities and the dynamic adaptation of the Russian language.
Ekaterina Protassova is associate professor in Russian language at the University of Helsinki. Maria Yelenevskaya is affiliated with the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
List of Illustrations Introduction: Understanding Migrant Communities Through the Lens of Everyday Practices Chapter 1: Work and Occupational Practices Chapter 2: Homemaking in a New Land Chapter 3: The Immigrants' Family: A Bulwark or an Achilles Heel Chapter 4: Work Done, We'll Have Fun Chapter 5: Virtual Russian World as Part of Migrant Experience Chapter 6: Transnational Ties: Across Borders and Continents Chapter 7: Transnational Lives of Russian Foods: Nostalgia, Group Identity, and Popular Culture Chapter 8: Russian in the World: Hybridity, Pluricentricity, and Creativity Conclusion References About the Author
"A unique interdisciplinary glance at the Russian linguistic and cultural continuity in several major hubs of the transnational Russophone diaspora. A rich tapestry of ethographic studies conducted in Finland, Germany, Israel, and other isles of the expanding, multi-million Russian archipelago, illuminating strategies of homemaking abroad while keeping dense ties with the cultural metropoly." -- Larissa Remennick, Bar-Ilan University "This work offers invaluable insights into the intricate fabric of linguistic and cultural practices within the Russophone Diaspora. A compelling exploration that enriches our understanding of everyday experiences and identities. Based on more than 30 years of experience in field work in the Russophone Diaspora, the entire range of intercontinental connections of the Russian language is covered in the book, and the authors testify to the multifaceted existence of Russian outside the Russian Federation. A must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike." -- Bernhard Brehmer, University of Konstanz
