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Music and Art at the Ukrainian Institute of America
Posted by Tatiana on January 25, 2002 at 03:51:16:
In Reply to: Re: Russian Extremists Are Anti-Ukrainian Language posted by vovik on January 04, 2002 at 07:13:15:
: : : : Russian extremists that reside mostly in the eastern cities where they displaced the Ukrainian population by mass murder and discrimination still attempt to undermine Ukrainian freedom and language. Most Russians in Russia believe that Ukraine should return to Russian colonialism. This is why the Ukrainian language is so important. Ukrainian language=Free Ukraine as a seperate country from Russia.
: : : they are all wrong, Sir, but it still doesnt change the matter of progress...Think about one Europe,currency change...blah, blah,... insted lets start talking about languge discrimination and may be leter we will move to more practical mesures etc...
: : Or may be one day we will become a respectable and equal part of EUROPE and will be sharing friendly conversation with our German brothers in loony night with jag of their beer and build a large fence across our borther with slavic russians.
I am a Ukrainian-American. My father came here in '52. As a little girl growing up in a non-immigrant area, because my father was from the "Soviet Union" and almost every American we met called anyone from the USSR, "Russians", I grew up with that label. I knew it was oversimplifying it for me, but I went with it. After all it was hard enough that no one could pronounce my name (1st or last). And we were dealing with all sorts of prejudice anyway. I still meet people today, who insist, on refering to my recent trip to Ukraine,as my trip to Russia! My father spoke both languages, (and several others). When in Ukraine recently, I learned that unfortunately many ethnic Ukrainians can only speak Russian! When one is worried about survival, there is not time to worry about learning Ukrainian! Luckily, their children will learn it! However, I wanted to learn Ukrainian, as I never learned any language but English, but I feel I'm in a quandry. It would be much more practical for me to learn Russian! Since not every Ukrainian speaks Ukrainian, I feel it will be difficult for me when I visit, and simpiler to learn the one language most everyone will understand! Unfortunately, in speaking to American businessmen, etc. they seem to beleive this to be true as well, and even consider Russian the language of the Ukrainian people! I don't have the answers, but Ukraine is in no position to turn off prospective business pursuits and tourism! They need the boost for the economy! I personally have listened to both languages and learned a little of each and feel that Ukrainian is the more beautifully sounding language. And I think it seems easier to grasp (at least it was for me, for some reason). But, for the person who suggested it should replace the Russian language for all Ukrainian citizens, let's not forget that it IS a different language and it's really not that easy to change the language one has grown up with-which is what some of you seem to expect from otherwise proud Ukrainian citizens! Can the government afford to offer Ukrainian language classes for adults? I think the only answer is to consider Russian the official second language, somewhat like the U.S. handles Spanish. They do need to make an effort to change all signs to Ukrainian (or in both languages) I was frustrated to see street signs in Russian only!! P.S. I had to consistently use both my Ukrainian and Russian dictionaries-now think about the tourists who only bring a Ukrainian dictionary, and most of the citizens don't understand them?