The language situation among the population with bi-ethnic Russian-Ukrainian identity in the south of Western Siberia

The analysis of the linguistic situation in the self-consciousness of the population with bi-ethnic Russian-Ukrainian identity in the south of Western Siberia is presented. The mixed Russian-Ukrainian language (“khokhlyatskiy” or surzhik), formed in places of concentration of the Ukrainian population, and the peculiarities of its existence are analyzed. Based on the data obtained during in-depth interviews in the summer of 2020, sociolinguistic factors affecting the linguistic situation in the region are described: the size of the ethnic group, the age of native speakers, the ethnic nature of marriages and the type of family education, language teaching at school. The level of proficiency in the Ukrainian language and surzhik depends on the period of resettlement, place of residence and age of the respondents. The author comes to the conclusion that the Ukrainian or “Khokhlyatskiy” language in the south of Western Siberia is assigned a more symbolic role in defining ethnic identity.