Рreserving the identity of Ukrainian migrants in France

Ivanna Tsar, Candidate of Sciences in Philology, Researcher in the Department of Stylistics, Culture of Language and Sociolinguistics
Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
4 Mykhailo Hrushevskyi St., Kyiv 01001, Ukraine

E-mail: tsar.ivanna5@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9764-5758

Natalia Matveieva, PhD, Lecturer of the Department of the Ukrainian Language and Slavistics
Ternopil Volodymyr Hnaituk National Pedagogical University
2 Maxyma Kryvonosa St., Ternopil 46027, Ukraine

Е-mail: natalya_matveieva@tnpu.edu.ua
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6290-9381

Heading: Articles
Language: Ukrainian

Abstract: The article is devoted to outlining the dynamics of national and language self-identification among forced Ukrainian migrants in the multilingual environment of France. It characterizes changes in their language behaviour and language awareness in the context of integration into the French sociolinguistic and cultural space.

The basis of our study are the interviews with Ukrainians in France, recorded in the form of language biographies, the results of a questionnaire with open-ended responses, as well as participant observation of the language behaviour of Ukrainians in France.

The study demonstrates that language adaptation among Ukrainian migrants is closely tied to their desire to preserve their mother tongue, culture, and identity. The research identifies typical identity strategies employed by migrants to navigate between integration and cultural preservation.

The results of the study confirm the fact of a high level of national self-awareness among participants. For many, the war became a catalyst for returning to the Ukrainian language or increasing its usage. Language, therefore, is seen not only as a communicative tool but also as a symbolic marker of collective memory and homeland. Maintaining language identity in migration is not solely a personal choice but also a sociocultural process influenced by access to Ukrainian-language environments, involvement in diaspora communities, and national events.

To sum it up, we can identify five identity strategies of Ukrainian migrants in France, reflecting varying degrees of preservation or transformation of national and language identity. No cases of complete assimilation or abandonment of Ukrainian identity were recorded. On the contrary, respondents display resilience and, in many cases, a redefined and strengthened connection to Ukraine. However, they often face challenges due to limited access to Ukrainian cultural, educational, or linguistic resources in France.

Keywords: language consciousness, identity, multilingualism, language behaviour, language integration, Ukrainian migrants.

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