Reworking the Russian Language Bill of 2023: Enforcing Domestic Language Preeminence
Russian Legislature Passes Law Reinforcing Russian Language Use
Emendations have been proposed for several federal laws, with one notable adjustment concerning the "Consumer Protection Law." This adjustment adds a provision regarding information meant for public consumption, excluding advertisements, displayed on signs and indicators. Such information must, primarily, be in Russian. Although state languages of republics or other languages of Russia's diverse population can be used, these alternative languages must be identical to the Russian version.
Foreign languages can also appear on signs; however, Russian must be present as well. The information and design of both languages must be identical, ensuring parity in content, placement, and technical aspects.
It's worth noting that these provisions do not apply to the use of trademarks and tradenames.
Another modification is proposed for the "Law on Participation in Shared Construction of Multifamily Buildings and Other Real Estate Objects and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation." According to the proposed amendments for the second reading, the names of objects used in advertising must only be rendered in Cyrillic. However, this exemption does not extend to the names of objects that have been operationalized before the law is implemented, as reported by TASS.
In the larger picture, these changes reflect a broader trend in Russia aimed at reinforcing the primacy of the Russian language in public life. By regulating signage and inscriptions, the Russian language is given prominence in public spaces, impacting the visibility and utility of minority languages.
This emphasis on the Russian language extends beyond simple regulatory measures. The government leverages cultural campaigns, such as the “Great Russian Word” festival, to promote the language and discourage foreign linguistic influences. These initiatives portray the Russian language as a cornerstone of national identity and strategic interests.
In essence, the Russian Language Protection bill of 2023 enforces Russian as the primary language in public life by regulating signage and inscriptions. This restriction on other languages diminishes their public presence, making it increasingly challenging for non-Russian ethnic groups and migrant communities to engage effectively in everyday public communication. This law reflects a larger societal and political context in Russia, where the Russian language is promoted as a pillar of national identity and state interests.
- The proposed amendments for the "Law on Participation in Shared Construction of Multifamily Buildings and Other Real Estate Objects and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" also fall under the category of policy-and-legislation, as they aim to regulate the use of Cyrillic for the names of objects in advertising.
- The Russian Language Protection bill of 2023, which enforces Russian as the primary language in public life by regulating signage and inscriptions, is a significant part of the broader politics and general-news discourse in Russia, reflecting an emphasis on promoting the Russian language as a cornerstone of national identity and state interests.
