The Impact of Soviet Language Policy on the Armenian SSR and the Challenges Faced by the Armenian Language, 1920s–1980s

Abstract This article aims to examine the experiences of the Armenian language during the Soviet era within the framework of Soviet language planning and policy. Although the Armenian language is often perceived as having been less affected by these policies, it has received relatively little scholarly attention. This study seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the period, highlighting the developments and particularities unique to the Armenian linguistic context. It also explores both the similarities and differences between the Armenian case and the language-related challenges faced by other Soviet nationalities. Special attention is given to the dissident movements of the 1960s and 1970s, with a focus on the role of the language question within them. Additionally, the article considers the influence and contribution of the Armenian Diaspora to language-related developments in Soviet Armenia.