Vepsian language in the socio-cultural context of modern Karelia

The purpose of the article is to analyze the socio–cultural conditions of the Vepsian language within the territory of the Republic of Karelia and the Vepsian administrativeterritorial autonomies. The main objective of the research was to establish the boundaries of the functioning of the Vepsian language in the official and cultural spheres, to analyze the status of the Vepsian language in the sociocultural space of the region. The paper analyzes the concept of “official areas of communication” as part of the social, cultural and linguistic context of the life of an indigenous people group. A detailed analysis of the use of the Vepsian language in regional and local mass media, as well as the regulatory activities of public authorities in places of traditional residence of the Vepsian people, has been carried out. It is shown that the Vepsian language has an official status in the territory of rural settlements of the Republic of Karelia, but its actual use in the areas of communication provided for the official language is significantly limited. It is traced that the legal guarantees for the use of the Vepsian language as an official language are implemented locally, the language is preserved as a means of demonstrating Vepsian identity in public life (broadcast of “Vepsianness” through performance). Monitoring the situation in the sociocultural space of the region made it possible to provide an analytical assessment of the intercultural policy being implemented in Karelia, identify the strengths and weaknesses of the sociocultural situation, and formulate possible perspectives for its further development and reform.