Russian Speakers in Post-Soviet Latvia: Discursive Identity Strategies

A theoretical and empirical study of discourse among Russian-speakers in LatviaThe political shocks of the 2014 Ukrainian crisis have been felt in many former Soviet countries, not least Latvia, where over 35% of the population are native Russian speakers. At a time when analysts and commentators ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cheskin, Ammon (Author)
Format: Electronic eBook
Language:English
Published: Edinburgh Edinburgh University Press [2022]
Series:Russian Language and Society : RLS
Subjects:
Online Access:DE-1046
DE-1043
DE-858
DE-859
DE-860
DE-739
DE-473
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Summary:A theoretical and empirical study of discourse among Russian-speakers in LatviaThe political shocks of the 2014 Ukrainian crisis have been felt in many former Soviet countries, not least Latvia, where over 35% of the population are native Russian speakers. At a time when analysts and commentators are unsure about Russia's future plans to intervene on behalf of their 'compatriots', this study provides a detailed political and cultural analysis of Russian-speaking identity in Latvia.By using Russian-speakers in Latvia as a specific case study, this volume also offers a fresh methodological approach to the study of discourses and discursive strategies.
It outlines a coherent methodology to study the evolution of discourses over time, rather than a single de-contextualized and static time period.Drawing on media analysis, elite interviews, focus groups and survey data, Russian Speakers in Post-Soviet Latvia situates the identity strategies of Russian speakers within the political, cultural, and economic transformations of the post-Soviet era. By assessing political, cultural, and economic links with their home state (Latvia) and their potential kin-state (Russia), it offers important insights into the complex identity positions of Latvia's Russian speakers, and how these positions have evolved in Latvia since the late Soviet period.In a time when many will question the loyalty of Russian speakers to their various 'host states' this book provides a timely, scholarly account of ethnic politics in Latvia.
It also offers a methodological framework that allows for the mapping of trends in discursive strategies, exploring how they evolve through time.Key FeaturesUses focus-group interviews, elite interviews, survey data and critical discourse analysis to focus study discoursesFeatures a case study of Russian speakers in Latvia to add to the debate surrounding the status of Russian speakers outside RussiaFocuses on the temporally contingent nature of discourse - discussing discursive change and the possibility that a discourse can exist
Item Description:Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 02. Mrz 2022)
Physical Description:1 Online-Ressource (248 pages) 13 B/W illustrations 3 B/W tables
ISBN:9780748697441

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