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Abstract:

Currently, a language reform carried out in Russia is aimed at implementing an ethno-linguistic policy in the field of expanding the functioning of ethnic languages in various areas of communication. Social linguistics has a large repertoire of methods for collecting and interpreting sociolinguistic material (questionnaires, surveys, tests, monitoring, research of written sources, etc.). However, these methods are applicable only to the study of the functional state of the language and its dynamics. During the reform period, new methods and techniques are needed to stimulate the development of various areas of communication in the ethnic language, as well as to support and activate the linguistic communities included in these areas of communication. The possibilities of optimizing the use of the ethnic language in various areas of communication are revealed in the article on the example of one of them — a newspaper. The author comes to the conclusion that at present, under the existing paradigm of “state bilingualism”, the process of functional complementarity is completed in favor of a more developed and more widespread language, ready to serve this sphere of communication. The importance of further study of ways to retain the social functions of ethnic languages is emphasized.

Keywords: language policy, ethnic community, social functions of a language, spheres of communication, terminology of sociolinguistics, social determinism.