Mathematical tools for measuring the level of multilingualism of the population in the Russian Federation, the Turkish Republic, the Hellenic Republic, and the Republic of Cyprus

Abstract

Language policy in multinational societies and states should take into account the emerging language situation in a particular country and region. To study such situations and determine the direction of language policy, scientific approaches are needed. In societies characterized by the spread of polylingualism, mathematical methods can be applied to measure the level of multilingualism of the population. As one of the tools for describing the language situation and determining the level of polylingualism of the population, it is proposed that the concept of the language integration index (LII) be introduced into scientific circulation. The calculation of this index along with the parallel determination of the polylingualism coefficient (the share of the population speaking more than one language) and the allocation of the share of the population’s proficiency in major languages allows the measurement and recording of trends in the linguistic life of states using data from population censuses, sociological studies, and other sources. One of the factors affecting the level of polylingualism of a population is the degree of participation of states in cooperation, integration, and globalization processes. In the linguistic dimension, the named economic processes do not necessarily lead to the complete dominance of any one language. It is possible that there is an alternative to this scenario, which is expressed in an increase in the number of people who speak more than one language. The correctness of this assumption can give the processes of integration and globalization in the linguistic respect a completely different quality — linguistic variability. Based on the Soviet and Russian Population Censuses (1970, 1979, 1989, 2002, and 2010), Microcensus 2015, Eurostat data (2007, 2011, and 2016), and the results of Eurobarometer sociological research (2000, 2005, and 2012), we assess the impact of integration and globalization processes on the level of polylingualism of the populations of Russia, Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.