The scope of use of the Belarusian language at the turn of the 21st century

Abstract

This article discusses the status of the Belarusian language in Belarus and Poland. The aim is to examine how language policy authorities of the Republic of Belarus affect the scope of use of the Belarusian language in Poland. Our analysis of the present situation of the language is based on surveys conducted by the Independent Institute of Socio-Economic and Political Rights (NISEPI) which included questions about the attitude of Belarusians to their mother tongue. Surveys show that over the 20 years of independence of the Republic of Belarus, Belarusian national identity has clearly increased, whereas the scope of use of the Belarusian language has significantly narrowed, which has undoubtedly been partly owed to the language policy of the Belarusian authorities. The low prestige of Belarusian and reduction in the number of its users in Belarus adversely affect the interest in the Belarusian language in Poland, which is clearly reflected in a smaller interest in Belarusian Studies as a university degree programme. Nevertheless, the Belarusian language is taught in Poland at various levels of the educational system: in kindergartens, primary schools, junior secondary and secondary schools and universities. The Belarusian language is also present in the mass media: newspapers, radio and television.