Key Trends in Shifting Attitudes Towards Ukrainian–Russian Mixed Speech in Wartime

Surzhyk, as a Ukrainian–Russian mixed subcode, has long been a subject of extensive research. Despite this, it remains an ambiguous phenomenon that elicits diverse assessments and attitudes. Within Ukrainian academic circles, a tradition has emerged of evaluating this communicative subcode through the prism of linguistic norms, predominantly characterising it as a negative phenomenon. However, in everyday communication, Surzhyk functions dynamically, reflecting the varied attitudes of its speakers. Significant shifts in its perception became particularly evident following the Russian Federation's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, Russian-speaking individuals have increasingly adopted Surzhyk as a means of distancing themselves from the Russian language, which is widely perceived as the language of the aggressor. This article presents the results of a sociolinguistic study conducted in 2020–2021 and 2023–2024 among residents of the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. The study examines the evolution of attitudes towards Surzhyk in the wake of the invasion, with particular attention given to the role of mass media discourse in shaping these perceptions. The analysis reveals a growing tendency towards a more favourable view of mixed speech; in the context of war, Surzhyk has come to symbolise solidarity and serves as an informal linguistic bridge for transitioning from Russian-dominant to Ukrainian-speaking communication.