Multiculturalism of Bishkek city: ethnicity and language in soviet and post-soviet times

Abstract

The paper studies the changes in the ethnic composition of Bishkek city in the pre-Soviet period, Soviet and the post-Soviet periods, and the factors that contributed to the creation and development of multiethnic society in Bishkek city. The other focus of the paper will be the analysis of the language situation in Bishkek, the shifts in the language policy of the city before and after independence.

Various factors contributed to the development of a multiethnic society in Bishkek city. Colonization, Industrialization, Collectivization, Cultural Revolution, ethnic deportations dramatically changed the ethnic situation in the city during the pre-Soviet and Soviet times. However, the main factors of ethnic changes after independence were the emigration of Russians, Ukrainians, Tatars, Germans and other non-indigenous ethnic groups and the internal migration of Kyrgyz from regions and rural areas to Bishkek city.

Language is not only the means of communication but an important marker of ethnic identity. During the Soviet time, Russian was the official language in the Soviet Union as well as the dominant language in Bishkek city. It was the language of interethnic and intra-ethnic communication in the city. However, after independence Russian still retains its position as the language of higher education, science and interethnic communication.