摘要: After the dissolution of USSR in 1991, fourteen successor states began to distance themselves from Russia and its language. This situation was strikingly different most post-colonial Asia, Africa, Latin America that maintained languages former colonizers. For researchers, post-Soviet context became a natural sociolinguistic ‘experiment’, which previously shared political linguistic system offered common starting point for language reforms outcomes illuminated effects demographic, political, economic, social factors. The purpose present article is outline key findings research date, discuss their implications theory, identify gaps productive directions future inquiry. © 2013 Author. Language Linguistics Compass Blackwell Publishing Ltd