Linguistic and Cultural Adaptation of the Russophone Migrant Women

Based on individual and group interviews, as well as on written sources, this study focused on female practices of linguistic and cultural adaptation in immigration. In Russophone families, women play the central role in creating a sense of home away from home through preservation of cultural traditions and community connections. At the same time, they face numerous challenges such as discrimination and language barrier. In some cases, they also become sole breadwinners, thus bearing the double load of occupational and household duties. The women’s resilience and dedication contribute to family stability and well-being, serving as a source of inspiration for the young. Russophone immigrant women often influence family language policies by deciding which language/s they speak to the children. The choice of home language/s often depends on such factors as fluency in different languages and beliefs about cultural heritage. Expansion of language repertoires typical of Russophone immigrant families leads to translanguaging and code mixing. An initial choice between the native language and the language of the new country may gradually change, impacting children’s linguistic and cultural development. On the other hand, children’s integration into the local society and cultural hybridization affects family language policies. Besides occupational and linguistic challenges, Russophone women are sometimes confronted with ethnic discrimination. As a result, some feel ashamed of or try to hide their background, while others seek support through social networks or online communities when offline communication with the co-ethnics is limited. Keywords: integration, post-Soviet states, Russian language, intercultural marriage, family language policy, multilingualism, female communities, Russophone women