Disparate Language Cultures – Russia’s language policies in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories in historical perspective

Abstract

This article examines Russian language policies in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine in light of historical precedents. It shows how current policies of Russification echo imperial practices from the nineteenth century, identifying recurring ideological tropes in Russian discourse depicting Ukrainian as a dialect, an artificial construct, or a dangerous political project. These narratives are shown to be part of a broader imperial tradition that claims authority to define linguistic reality and uses language as a tool of political control. In contrast, the article reconstructs a Ukrainian perspective through debates in the journal Osnova (1861–1862), highlighting a pragmatic and inclusive approach to language development, grounded in usage, variation, and communicative function. These dynamics can be productively understood within a broader framework of differing language cultures, with Russian traditions tending toward prescriptive and hierarchical models, and Ukrainian language culture toward performative, pluralistic, and practice-oriented forms.