Linguistic transformation of youth in a military environment during the Russian-Ukrainian war

Svitlana Sokolova, Doctor of Sciences in Philology, Professor, Head in the Department of Stylistics, Language Culture and Sociolinguistics
Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
4 Mykhaіlo Hrushevskyi St., Kyiv 01001, Ukraine

Е-mail: a-senchuk@ukr.net
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0052-6128

Ivan Martynov, Teacher of the Language Department
Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine
7 Oborony Kyiv St., Kyiv 03179, Ukraine

E-mail: martynov28@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0153-7779

Heading: Discussions
Language: Ukrainian

Abstract: Language transformation is defined as the process of changing linguistic consciousness (including one’s national and linguistic identity, attitudes toward languages, attitudes toward cultures associated with those languages, and the choice of language for children’s education) and linguistic behavior (a shift in the primary language code, a change in the balance of language use, and an expansion of the domains in which the Ukrainian language is used, particularly in the consumption of Ukrainian-language cultural products).

The article presents the linguistic processes that occur within the military environment during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, considered in the context of broader linguistic developments in Ukrainian society. It characterises the specific attitudes of military personnel toward language interaction in the armed forces and the use of Ukrainian and Russian languages in combat zones, based on data from the media and social networks. The study also highlights the peculiarities of examining the linguistic behaviour of service members as a social group, both in general and depending on their location (at the front line, in the rear, or at educational institutions).

Based on an analysis of survey data collected from 264 cadets of a military higher education institution, the article examines the changes in their linguistic consciousness and behaviour after the onset of full-scale war, taking into account their regions of origin. It was found that the process of linguistic transformation is more active among representatives of the older age group compared to those in the younger age group. Overall, the survey results indicate a higher rate of Ukrainian language use as a language of everyday communication compared to that recorded in nationwide sociological surveys.

Specific problems were identified regarding the use of the Ukrainian language as the state language, particularly as the language of instruction and official communication in the armed forces, as well as issues related to attitudes toward it. These findings suggest the need to introduce specialised linguistic assimilation programs in military higher education institutions and to integrate topics reflecting the history of Russification in Ukraine and its impact on the current linguistic situation across regions into the general language training curriculum.

Keywords: language situation, linguistic behaviour, linguistic consciousness, language transformation, military personnel, military higher education institution, national identity, linguistic identity.

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