The results of the language integration among the young generation of Russian Germans in Germany

Abstract

Russian Germans are Germans who moved to Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries and then returned to Germany in the 20th century, mostly from Kazakhstan. Many did not speak German for historical reasons and experienced difficulties with linguistic and cultural integration, in communication with local speakers and in getting a job. The project of the Institute of the German Language (Mannheim, Germany) traced the linguistic fate of several such families of immigrants for more than 30 years. One-and-a-half generation of immigrants (their children who were born in Germany or moved to it in early childhood) acquired a life experience that was different from the experience of their parents and grandparents. They were freer in integration, but also retained some cultural traditions and customs and the ability to speak Russian language. The article considers some difficulties in the process of adaptation and the formation of multilingualism in this generation. It is demonstrated that many factors influence the linguistic fate, but the process of self-development does not end. A high degree of German proficiency and different levels of Russian language retention are shown.