Мовна інтеграція українців у Польщі: соціолінгвістичний аналіз нових мовців польської мови

Abstrakt

The article presents the results of a sociolinguistic analysis of the language integration of Ukrainians who, due to Russia’s full-scale military aggression, have settled in Poland – a country that has become one of the main centers of reception and support for displaced persons from Ukraine. The study is based on the results of a sociolinguistic survey conducted within the research project BJP/PON/2024/1/00019 'Polityka językowa new speakerów języka polskiego' ('Language Policy of New Speakers of Polish'), carried out from September 2024 to June 2025 under the Polonista NAWA program at the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. It focuses on identifying patterns of adaptation, motivation for learning Polish, the frequency of its use in various spheres of life, as well as the specific features of linguistic self-expression and identity of Ukrainians in the new environment. The theoretical framework draws on the concept of 'new speakers', critical sociolinguistics, and qualitative analysis of language narratives. The article highlights not only the instrumental aspects of learning Polish as a means of communication but also the complex interplay between linguistic identity, emotional experience, and social pressure. Respondents’ experiences reveal the emergence of hybrid communicative practices that combine diverse linguistic and cultural codes. For many Ukrainians, the Polish language has become a space of transformation – from anxiety to confidence, from communication difficulties to self-expression and new social and professional opportunities. The findings underscore that language integration is a multidimensional process involving practical needs, personal transformation, and the search for balance between new challenges and the preservation of national identity. They also demonstrate the importance of openness and support from the Polish-speaking environment as key factors in successful adaptation.