The Role of the Russian Language in the Formation of Interethnic Communication in the Turkestan Region in the Late 19th - Early 20th Centuries

Abstract

This article examines the role of the Russian language in the formation and development of interethnic communication in the Turkestan region during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The study analyzes the historical, political, social, and cultural factors that contributed to the spread of the Russian language among the diverse ethnic groups of Turkestan under the administration of the Russian Empire. Particular attention is paid to the educational reforms, the emergence of Russian-native schools, administrative institutions, military structures, trade relations, and the activities of the Jadid movement. The article argues that the Russian language gradually became a significant means of communication among representatives of different nationalities, facilitating intercultural interaction and access to modern knowledge while simultaneously influencing local linguistic and cultural processes. The research employs historical-comparative and socio-linguistic methods to evaluate the impact of Russian-language policies on the multilingual environment of Turkestan. The findings demonstrate that the Russian language served not only as an instrument of colonial administration but also as a bridge for interethnic communication, contributing to the formation of new social identities and intellectual networks in the region.