Decolonial Perspectives on Memory: Heritage Language Practices among Ukrainian Migrants in Germany

• In Event: Language and Memory: Decolonization, War, and Identity in Contemporary Ukrainian Narratives and Language Use

Abstract

The language issue in Ukraine has deep historical roots and has remained central to nation- and state-building worldwide among Ukrainian communities, still after independence and even more so following the full-scale Russian war against Ukraine. Moreover, the linguistic repertoire of Ukrainians is inherently dynamic. Ukrainian-Russian bilingualism among both ethnic Ukrainians and national minorities has continuously shifted, with dominance fluctuating between the two languages. This paper examines the evolving conceptualization of heritage language among Ukrainian migrants in Germany, emphasizing its role in shaping decolonial memory practices – not only with the language used as a symbolic marker but also on a pragmatic level. Focusing on adult bilinguals who migrated before the full-scale Russian invasion, we explore their linguistic shift toward active Ukrainian use in education and social life. This shift is analyzed as a form of decolonial resistance, challenging historical linguistic hierarchies and reaffirming Ukrainian identity. Additionally, we compare these experiences with those of Ukrainians displaced after the 2022 invasion, who navigate new multilingual environments shaped by displacement and integration policies. By juxtaposing these two groups, the paper highlights how migration, war, and sociopolitical contexts influence heritage language practices contributing to broader discussions on language, memory, and decoloniality.

Authors

• Viktoriya Sereda, Inst of Ethnology NASU (Ukraine)

• Nataliya Tsisar, Humboldt U Berlin (Germany)