The Power of Language: Migration, Identity, and Resistance

In this episode, we are joined by our colleague, Dr. Nadiya Kiss, a social linguist from Ukraine and co-founder of the Vision Ukraine – Education, Language, Migration research network. Drawing from her extensive work on language policy and activism, Nadiya explores the pivotal role of language in migration and identity formation, especially in the context of forced displacement.She discusses the linguistic behaviors of Ukrainian migrants in Germany, their rejection of Russian as a colonial language, and how these shifts symbolize resistance, identity transformation, and community building. Nadiya also reflects on how language influences narratives in research settings and its significance as a bridge for integration and resilience in times of social challenges.