"Endangered" Yukaghir languages: to the problem of language shift

Lukina Margarita Petrovna

The article deals with the issue of the loss of the Yukaghir languages by the "tundra" and "forest" Yukaghirs. As a result of folklore-linguistic expeditions from 2011-2015. it was concluded that the "tundra" Yukaghirs mainly speak Russian, Yakut, Even languages, i.e. are bilingual; Only about 50 people who know their native Yukaghir language remain. Only about 10 people speak the language of the “forest” Yukaghirs, while the rest are monolingual, i.e. speak only Russian. So, the Yukaghirs, at the present time, are in the process of a language shift. However, along with a sharp decrease in the speakers of the language and culture of the Yukaghirs, there is an increase in ethnic self-identification, an ever deeper awareness of the importance of the native culture and language. The question is raised: given the fact of the growth of ethnic self-identification, as well as the growth in the number of Yukaghirs in recent decades (the restoration of their nationality), is it possible to revive the Yukaghir languages and cultures?

Keywords:Yukaghir languages, language of "tundra" Yukaghirs, language of "forest" Yukaghirs, language shift, language situation.