Functional Distribution of Chechen Language in Chechen Republic: Findings from Field Research (2022–2023)

This article explores the social functions of the contemporary Chechen language and assesses its vitality within the current linguistic landscape of the Chechen Republic. It presents the results of a comprehensive study on the co-functioning of the Chechen and the Russian across key communicative domains in the lives of Chechen people. The paper synthesizes and systematizes data collected during field research conducted in the Chechen Republic from 2022 to 2023, alongside various statistical and factual information sourced from publicly available resources. A thorough analysis of the gathered data provides a detailed picture of the functional distribution of languages in the Chechen Republic, characterizing the specifics of bilingualism in the region and the ethno-linguistic identity of contemporary Chechens. It highlights that the Chechen language, like other languages in the Russian Federation, faces challenges related to urbanization and digitalization, which contribute to linguistic centralization and a gradual imbalance favoring dominant languages. The study finds that the Chechen language currently exhibits a relatively stable level of vitality, particularly in familial and ethnocultural contexts, bolstered by its high symbolic value and a persistent need for identity expression among Chechen speakers.

1. Albekov N. N. (2024). Chechen language in the context of functioning of minority languages. Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of the Chechen Republic, 1 (64): 97-101. DOI: 10.25744/vestnik.2024.54.87.014. (In Russ.).

2. Aliroev, I. Yu. (1978). Nakh languages and culture. Grozny: Chechen-Ingush book publishing house. 289 p. (In Russ.).

3. Arsakhanov, I. A. (1969). Chechen dialectology. Grozny: Chechen-Ingush book publishing house. 209 p. (In Russ.).

4. Askhabova, L. A., Vagapov, A. D. (2021). Actual problems of adverbs in the modern Chechen language. Bulletin of the Chechen State Pedagogical University. Series 1. Humanities and social sciences, 3 (35): 7-14. DOI: 10.54351/25876074-2021-3-35-7. (In Russ.).

5. Badayeva, A. S. (2019). Some results of the work on the preparation of the rules of Chechen spelling in accordance with the recommendations of the Academy of Sciences of the Chechen Republic. Tallam, 2 (17): 97-107. DOI: 10.25744/tallam.2019.17.20.017. (In Chech.).

6. Bitkeeva, A. N., Wingender, M., Mikhalchenko, V. Y. (2019). Forecasting and linguistic diversity in the Russian Federation: a sociolinguistic aspect. Bulletin of the Volgograd State University. Series 2, Linguistics, 18 (3): 6—23. DOI: 10.15688/jvolsu2.2019.3.1. (In Russ.).

7. Desheriev, Yu. D. (1960). Modern Chechen literary language: Volume 1: Phonetics. Grozny: Chechen-Ingush book publishing house. 122 p. (In Russ.).

8. Desheriev, Yu. D. (1963). Comparative historical grammar of the Nakh languages and problems of the origin and historical development of the mountain Caucasian peoples. Grozny: Chechen-Ingush book publishing house. 556 p. (In Russ.).

9. Dovletkireeva, L. M. (2022). Achievements of Chechen orthography and lexicography in 2020-2021. Bulletin of the Institute for the Development of the Chechen Language and History, 19: 21-24. (In Russ.).

10. Dulaeva, Kh. Z. (2007). Aspectual-tense system of the Chechen verb. Bulletin of St. Petersburg University. Series 9. Philology. Oriental studies. Journalism, 3-2: 137-142. (In Russ.).

11. Gadaev, R. V. (2010). Formation and development of the Chechen written language: specialty 10.02.02: author’s abstract of PhD Diss. Grozny. 157 p. (In Russ.).

12. Goryacheva, M. A. (2022). Dynamics of the issue of periodicals in Russian and republican state languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation (1970—2021). Sociolinguistics, 4 (12): 45—70. DOI: 10.37892/2713–2951-4-12-45-70. (In Russ.).

13. Ilyasova, R. S. (2018). Language as an ethnic value (using the example of the Chechen language). World of science, culture, education, 6 (73): 534-535. (In Russ.).

14. Khalidov, A. I. (2023). System of parts of speech of the Chechen language. News of the Chechen State University of A. A. Kadyrov, 2 (30): 35-42. DOI: 10.36684/12-2023-30-2-35-42. (In Russ.).

15. Khalidov, A. I., Albekov, N. N. (2022). Emergent changes in the linguistic system of the Chechen language as a result of the streamlining of orthographic norms. Bulletin of the Academy of Sciences of the Chechen Republic, 2 (57): 109—115. DOI 10.25744/vestnik.2022.57.2.014. (In Russ.).

16. Navrazova, H. B., Isakova, B. N. (2019). Features of the communicative behavior of bilingual Chechens. The world of science, culture, education, 4 (77): 363—365. (In Russ.).

17. Navrazova, Kh. B. (2012). Syntactic essence of sentence members in the modern Chechen language. News of the Chechen State Pedagogical Institute, 1 (6): 227-231. (In Russ.).

18. Ovkhadov, M. R. (2007). Sociolinguistic analysis of the development of Chechen-Russian bilingualism. Nazran: Pilgrim. 203 p. ISBN 978-5-98993-033-3. (In Russ.).

19. Ovkhadov, M. R. (2022). The linguistic situation in the Chechen Republic. In: My native language: The Almanac. Nazran: KEP LLC. 51—61. ISBN 978-5-4482-0001-4. (In Russ.).

20. Ovkhadov, M. R., Yakhyaeva, A. A., Shamileva, R. D. (2015). Language situation in the Chechen Republic. Nazran: KEP. 176 p. ISBN 978-5-4482-0001-4. (In Russ.).

21. Yakhyaeva, A. A. (2007). The Chechen language in the 90s of the XX century: functions and structure: specialty 10.02.19: author’s abstract of PhD Diss. Grozny. 23 p. (In Russ.).