Forced Migration and Family Language Policy: The Ukrainian Experience of Language

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of forced migration on family language policy among Ukrainian families, with a particular focus on women who have relocated to Poland with their children due to the war in Ukraine. Utilizing data from in-depth interviews, it explores the language situation in refugee families. The analysis concentrates on changes in language behaviour caused by shifts in emotional attitudes towards their language repertoire, due to the traumatic experience of war. It is noteworthy that there has been an increase in the use of the Ukrainian language in family communication, an intentional familiarization of children with the linguistic situation in Ukraine, and a conscious avoidance of the Russian language in public places abroad. Despite these trends, some families continue to predominantly use Russian at home as the primary language for family communication, or they frequently engage in language code-switching. The study examines patterns of changes in language behaviour resulting from the rejection of the Russian language in daily communication, highlighting politically motivated decisions to alter language use and the corresponding strategies of language behaviour. These changes in adults' speech behaviour significantly affect the speech practices of children, one manifestation of which is language attrition. Special attention is given to the phenomenon of language shame and self-shame associated with the use or non-use of the Russian language, the evolution of language attitudes, and their influence on language choice in family language practices.