Studying language shift: research on language practices and attitudes in wartime Ukraine

One of the many transformations Ukraine has undergone since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion is a pronounced shift away from the Russian language. A number of scholars have studied this shift using various methods such as mass surveys, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, ethnography, and analysis of social media. This article discusses main findings and challenges of research on language practices and attitudes in wartime Ukraine. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, I demonstrate what the present shift consists of, that is, what practices of what categories of the population have undergone considerable changes. While many studies of language processes in Ukraine have focused on differences between demographic categories, I also highlight the new distinction between public and private communication. Then I discuss the methods scholars have used to ascertain the change, the limitations of these methods, and possible ways to overcome them.