Promotion of the Russian Language Abroad: Internal and External Barriers

Abstract

The present paper provides a comprehensive sociological examination of the process of promoting the Russian language abroad amidst increasing global language competition and the transformation of the international environment. The relevance of the study stems from changes in the structure of Russia’s humanitarian ties with foreign countries, the digitalization of education, the politicization of language initiatives, and the importance of enhancing the institutional effectiveness of Russia’s foreign language policy. In today’s environment, language promotion extends beyond a purely cultural mission, requiring close ties with the educational, scientific, and digital spheres. The methodological framework of the study is based on an institutional approach, elements of the sociology of education, cultural sociology, and a comparative analysis of language promotion models in the Russian Federation and China. In this article, the authors identify key internal problems (outdated methodological techniques, inter-institutional fragmentation consisting of duplication of functions, insufficient coordination of actors, weak digital integration, and limited effectiveness monitoring) and external barriers (politicization of the Russian language, competition with global languages, cultural distance, digital and economic constraints, and linguistic difficulties) that hinder effective promotion abroad. The study revealed the mutual reinforcement of internal and external factors, which is the main reason for the declining sustainability of Russian language policy. As a strategic conclusion, the authors substantiate the need to transition from a fragmented institutional model to an ecosystem approach, which enables successful coordination of actors, digital infrastructural integration, an increase in the functional and pragmatic value of the language, and its adaptation to the international context. The promotion of the Russian language is viewed as a process of reproducing cultural and social capital, requiring strategic coherence and long-term planning against the backdrop of a complex geopolitical situation. The authors emphasize that the stability of the high international status of the Russian language depends on its ability to simultaneously serve as a cultural asset, a powerful educational resource, and a tool for academic mobility integrated into the process of global intercultural interaction.