Indexicality and Identity: Understanding Russian Cultural Practices in a Global Context
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22333/ijme.2025.10488Keywords:
Russian identity, migration, cultural practices, linguistic forms, cultural hybridity, social meaning, heritage language.Abstract
This article explores the concept of indexicality as it pertains to linguistic and cultural practices among Russian-speaking migrants. Indexicality is understood as the way linguistic forms and cultural behaviors signify social identities, relationships, and contextual meanings beyond their literal interpretations. Through an analysis of online discussions, interviews, and a survey of Russophones living abroad, the study reveals how everyday habits, grooming practices, and cultural norms serve as markers of Russianness in diverse contexts. Drawing from digital, oral and written resources, it highlights the dynamic interplay between individual identity, cultural memory, and material possessions, illustrating how migrants negotiate their cultural identities through a blend of inherited traditions and local influences. Russophones usually identify each other by the way they dress up, how they speak, and what they are interested in. The findings underscore the complexity of Russian identity in a globalized world, challenging essentialist stereotypes and emphasizing the importance of context in understanding cultural practices.
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