Marina V. Malysheva
Moscow, Russian Federation
Abstract
In this article, the author examines the issue of sociolinguistic adaptation of students from China studying at Moscow universities. The paper is based on material collected from February to May 2020 on the territory of educational institutions and dormitories of Higher School of Economics, Moscow State University, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. Firstly, the study is presented by interviews conducted with 3 students from China, and secondly, by the data obtained from questioning 90 respondents. The study aims to determine the degree of sociolinguistic adaptation of students from China. Considering the absence of a clear generally accepted strategy for studying one’s sociolinguistic adaptation in a new environment, the author seeks to develop a scenario for studying these processes through the use of an integrated qualitative and quantitative approach. The implemented research model has indicated the students’ ability to easily adapt to social aspects of everyday life in Russia. At the same time, weak motivational attitudes, focus on returning to China and distancing from the local language environment have been identified as key issues. Students either deliberately avoid interaction with members of the Russian sociocultural community or involuntarily find themselves alienated from intercultural communication. These factors do not provide an opportunity to highly evaluate the students’ degree of sociolinguistic adaptation.
Keywords: sociolinguistic adaptation, educational migration, Chinese students, identity, foreigners
For citation: Malysheva M.V. Sociolinguistic adaptation of students from Сhina studying at Moscow universities: mixed-method research // Sociolinguistics. 2021. No. 2(6) [online]. Pp. 187–205. (In Russ.) DOI: 10.37892/2713-2951-2021-2-6-187-205