The linguistic situation in a multinational constituent entity of the Russian Federation: the functioning of Russian and the languages of the peoples of Dagestan in education and the media

this article examines the complex linguistic situation in the Republic of Dagestan as a prime example of a multinational subject of the Russian Federation. It focuses on the functional distribution and interaction of Russian and the languages of the peoples of Dagestan in two key public spheres: education and media. The paper demonstrates that Russian retains its role as a universal means of communication, ensuring civic and interethnic consolidation, as well as access to federal information and educational resources. It also analyzes the current state and prospects of the languages of the peoples of Dagestan, which function primarily in everyday communication, primary education, and regional media. Based on an analysis of current practice, it concludes that functional bilingualism is emerging, characterized by diglossia—the distribution of social functions between languages. The paper identifies the main challenges facing the languages of the peoples of Dagestan, such as the narrowing of their use among the younger generation, and outlines possible ways to support linguistic diversity in the context of globalization.

Language situation, Dagestan, Functional bilingualism, Russian language, Languages of the peoples of Dagestan, Language policy, Media discourse