Russian-Speaking Jewry Communal and Congregational Life Abroad: the Role of Language

Gregory Ser,Larissa N Talalova

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20208802013

Abstract

The authors explore the Russian Jews diaspora which represents the viable mechanisms of real functioning in a host society. The article marks three criteria that help to be navigated among the options how the Russian Jewish immigration in the UK pans out in terms of: a) preserving the mother tongue, b) sticking to the home culture and c) whether the Russian Jews choose to adopt the host culture, whether they partly integrate into it or they fully assimilate.

Highlights

The new tendency towards the popularity of Russian as a foreign language abroad is determined by both social and economic factors
We will deal with the last group within our list, group 3, because these children together with their parents represent the viable mechanisms of real functioning in a host society
We will illustrate the means and patterns that the community of Russian Jews immigrants utilize in order to actualize themselves into a given host society

Summary

Introduction

The new tendency towards the popularity of Russian as a foreign language abroad is determined by both social and economic factors. They, in their turn, reflect the pragmatic character of this sort of interest. А) adults who are eager to study Russian as a foreign language because of their professional activity (business, predominantly, it is the tourism and hospitality spheres); b) migrants who are searching the job places in the service sector (hotel and restaurant business) which requires active communicative skills; c) adults of different ages with high interest to the Russian language and culture. The groups of potential learners are presented by: 1. а) adults who are eager to study Russian as a foreign language because of their professional activity (business, predominantly, it is the tourism and hospitality spheres); b) migrants who are searching the job places in the service sector (hotel and restaurant business) which requires active communicative skills; c) adults of different ages with high interest to the Russian language and culture. 2. а) students of linguistic departments who choose Russian as a second foreign language; b) students of non-linguistic departments who are striving to find their future work which is affiliated with the Russian structures or that one which necessitates the acquisition of the Russian language (the Russian culture discourse and the Russian mentality are included). 3. а) bilingual and multilingual children (especially in the international and interracial couples); b) children who are Russians ethnically but don’t speak Russian

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Discussion

Conclusion