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Article published In:
Linguistic Landscape
Vol. 10:1 (2024) ► pp.55–78

The Linguistic Landscape of the war

Minority languages, language activism, and contesting identities in Russia

ORCID logo | Nordost-Institut (IKGN)

Being immersed in a covert conflict within a censored society, the Linguistic Landscape provides valuable insights into the dynamics of multilingual communication during war. Following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, political involvement among ethnic minority groups in Russia has experienced a surge. The use of minority languages signifies a hidden but significant form of protest, empowering ethnic minorities to assert their agency and political claims. Through an examination of anti- and pro-war signs in minority languages and interviews with language activists, this study explores how these languages are employed within the LL, revealing the motivations and attitudes of their authors. Minority languages in anti-war signs serve as secret codes while also personalizing protests and appealing to group solidarity. However, pro-war signs also evoke solidarity and ethnic values. Analysis of the anti- and pro-war signs illustrates their connection to other texts in minority languages, referencing discourses and ethnic symbols within the community of speakers of a minority language.

Keywords: language activism, Linguistic Landscape, minority languages, Russian-Ukrainian war, graffiti
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Minority languages in Russia
  • 3.The Linguistic Landscape, protests, and language activism
  • 4.Methodology
  • 5.The Linguistic Landscape and discourses of anti-war protests
  • 6.The Pro-war Linguistic Landscape and performing multiculturalism
  • 7.Discussion and conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 11 September 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/ll.23006.bar
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