Language conflict and language discrimination in the field of retail and services in Ukraine

Abstract

Background. The linguistic situation in Ukraine is characterized by Ukrainian-Russian bilingualism. The way of the coexistence of these languages is an important factor in Ukrainian society’s life.Purpose. To study language conflict and discrimination based on language in the field of retail and services.Methods. The research is based on the analysis of mass survey data and focus groups discussions conducted in 2017, electronic media publications, forum and social networks posts, that describe language discrimination and language conflicts in retail and service institutions.Results. The study found that issues of language conflict and language discrimination are debatable, with differing opinions from ordinary Ukrainians and language professionals. Analysis of the 2006 and 2017 surveys demonstrated that Ukrainians are not aware of the potential conflict of coexistence of the two languages in society. At the same time, experts point to the existence of social tension in the society related to the language issue. The results of an expert survey in 2000 showed a high level of discrimination against Ukrainian-speaking citizens in Kyiv, and the focus group discussions in 2017 contained examples of discrimination against representatives of Ukrainian-speaking and Russian-speaking population in the retail and services sector, numerous discrimination situations were described on social networks. Such results testify to the contradictory nature of mass consciousness.Discussion. From the results, it is clear that there is a sufficiently high level of conflict of language issues and that the problem of language discrimination is real and it is experienced most by Ukrainian-speaking Ukrainians. There are several preconditions for resolving these issues: an effective language policy and the formation of a high level of national and linguistic consciousness among citizens.Article received 27.08.2019