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Borys Kosarev: Modernist Kharkiv, 1915-1931 at The Ukrainian Museum thru May 2, 2012
Posted by Rusyn on January 20, 2002 at 16:55:20:
In Reply to: Re: Ukraine and languages posted by Tyrsa on January 20, 2002 at 13:09:24:
On January 15 1919. The unity between Carpathian Ukraine and the Ukrainian National Republic was proclaimed at a public meeting in Khust.
¹1 January 15 2002 «The Day»
: : Dear Cojo,
: : First of all I would like to thank you that you responded to my message in English. I see this as a sign of willingness to communicate with others. I understand this is a very emotional issue for you and for all those who suffered under communist/Russian opression. I really understand that becasue Hungarian ans German population in my area suffered a lot from the Russians. Just to mention one example, in 1944 all men from the age of 18 up to 60 were taken away to work in mines and other places. They were meant to be destroyed. one third of them never returned. I remember the times when we were together with the local Ruthenians and Ukranians against the Russian cultural and economic opression. And we voted together for the independent Ukraine hopeing that our co-sufferers would help us to achive our cultural goals to. So we voted for autonomy for our region (Transcarpathia) which was sent to the hell of bureucracy and has never been achived. Year by year we experience similar signs of aggression (limitation of communal ethnic rights) to those we both suffered under communism. You are right the the Ukranian people have the right to reclaim their identity. You are also right that every ethnic gourp belongs the the political nation of the Ukraine. Nevertheless not to the cultural nation of the Ukraine. I want that to be respected. I am not saying all the languages sould be state languages. I am saying though that at local levels all the major ethinc groups shoul be allowed to use their languages. The Ukrainian authorities do not seem to be willing to grant that right. And if we look for people who can help us to grant that right we only find the Russian people. This is a dirty political fight. But at the moment ther seems to be no better solution.
: : I also agree with you that this is not the most importan issue right now in the Ukraine. There are very serious economic problems to be solved. Nevertheless not being able to use your own language in the offices, in which most people cimmunicate in the region, is a source of frustration.
: : THird, I have to correct you about the USA. In some of the Southern stated Spanish is the second official language. There are many contries wehere up to some levels people can use theri own language even if it is not identical with the language of the main ethnic group of the country. I hope this will help a bit to see how I see this whole debate.
: : Zsolt
: : : What is your assumption about multiculturalism based on? True, there are significant ethnic minorities in Ukraine, including Hungarian. The language issue is entirely different and should be regarded separately. Every Ukrainian citizen, no matter the ethnic background, is Ukrainian, end of story. As far as languages are concerned, Russian has not only taken over Ukrainian language alone in the 350 years of Russian domination, it has eliminated the identity of minorities as well. Not in the western Ukraine, where Russian isn't used, though.
: : : Ukraine underwent massive Russification in the time of Russian/Soviet domination, in terms of culture, language and identity as a separate nation. 15, maybe 20 years more and the job would've been done. We would be a natural part of Russia, no different from, say, Far East.
: : : What you have called "building a "pure" Ukraine" is an attempt to reverse that, to reintroduce Ukrainian culture and language to Ukrainians. And if you think those who use Russian are against it, you're wrong. A huge number of people were brought up in Russian-speaking environment in Ukraine, and were never taught Ukrainian seriously, not as a main language anyway. THIS is why they speak Russian, not because they chose to. In fact, many hope their children will not follow their path and the language/culture which was meant to be native to them will truly be native to the children.
: : : How much is many? And how concerned is Ukraine of this problem vs. others, and which they consider more important? Look at the political preferences. The number of communist supporters, mainly elderly people, decreases rapidly. The Russian movements aren't popular. Even though Russians are 20% of the population, a recent "major" protest in Kiev against Ukrainization by The Russian Movement turned out 300 people. And it is about the only major party in Ukraine basing their program on the language and integration with Russia issue.
: : : Ethnic Russians in Ukraine increasingly feel as a part of Ukrainian nation, and their opinions don't differ from others anymore. Good life is more important than language even for those unhappy about derussification.
: : : I realize this is a bit loose. It is hard to explain in one article though. If you have questions or need clarifications, you're welcome to ask.
: : : I.
: :
: : : : May I make a proposal? I have been making some efforts to follow the discussion about the languages in the Ukraine. I think Ukraine is a multicultural country. Only the nationalist deny that and try to build up a new "pure" Ukraine. I am from the Ukraine and I consider myself to be Hungarian. The only slavic language I am relatively familiar with is Russian. It is not fair to say that from now on everybody should speak Ukrainian. I would love to use my mother tounge but using Russian is helpful too. Let us start this ukranian muticultural reconsiliation on the this page and use English.
: : : : Zsolt
: Dear Zsolt:
: As far as I know, Spanish is not an "official" language anywhere in the United States. Yes, there are areas of our country that have a very strong number of Spanish speaking people and the local governments try to maintain bilingualism as a convenience for the locals.Local businesses may choose to conduct trade bilingually only because it is profitable for them.
: However, if these Spanish immigrants isolate themselves and refuse to learn English, you can be sure that they and their children will never reach their full potential for the good life in the United States.