ABSTRACT
The goal of this chapter is to analyze changes in the status of Russian in post-Soviet Georgia, and to consider its new role from a sociolinguistic perspective. Relying on comparative analyzes of documents and media and on participant observation, we will explore reasons for the current decline of Russian. In the Soviet period, Russian was used as a lingua franca in communication between ethnic minorities, and between minorities and the majority. It functioned as a de facto official language. After the dissolution of the USSR a paradoxical language situation evolved: on the one hand, the opportunities for young generations of Russian speakers were curtailed; on the other hand, in many contexts Russian could not be replaced by Georgian, which created complications in formal communication. Moreover, despite the growing influence and prestige of English Russian could not be replaced by English either. The language policy in the education system of is flexible: learners can choose between Georgian or Russian for school instruction. Moreover, like French, German and Italian, Russian is taught as an elective foreign language. With 10 Russian newspapers in circulation and Russian TV programs on the state and commercial channels, Russian is still present in the media. Public discussions about the current and future role of Russian in Georgia, in particular in terms of its value as a tool in political and economic relations, have not stopped since the declaration of the country’s independence.
