Family language policy and identity formation: intergenerational transmission of Azerbaijani and Russian in Azerbaijan

Abstract

This thesis explores the impact of Family Language Policy (FLP) on the construction of bilingual identities in Azerbaijani-Russian families. Drawing on qualitative data collected through in-depth interviews and questionnaires administered to parents living in both urban and rural areas of Azerbaijan, this study explores how language choices within the home capture emotional, cultural, and practical aspects. The findings suggest that language use within families goes beyond the preservation of fluency which is central to the development of children's identities, sense of belonging, and the expression of emotions. Azerbaijani is often linked with culture and family love, while Russian is often linked with academic success and wider social prospects. Though this varies depending on particular family circumstances and contexts. Parents play an important role in promoting bilingualism through a range of strategies, from the "one parent, one language" model to more flexible, context-sensitive ones. The study also identifies challenges such as code-switching, media exposure, and changing language attitudes among children. Overall, this study highlights the flexible and deeply personal nature of FLP, with important implications for educational policy, media, and future research into bilingual identity in the post-Soviet context.