Posted by Daibheid on March 21, 2000 at 13:38:05:
The question of language is indeed an interesting one.
Ukraine, like Ireland, is in the unique position of having an official language which doesn't necessarily correspond to the everyday language in use and both of them, like the examples in Quebec, chose to use another language in order to further themselves. Without going into great detail, Ireland never managed to consolidate the Irish language as the real 'official' state language because of the abovementioned reason and the fact that it had practically disappeared from everyday use in the vast majority of the country. Despite concerted efforts on the government's behalf, the Irish language will never be in the majority in Ireland because the people themselves are, for the most part, disassociated from it.
However, in Ukraine the difference between the two languages is smaller and the Ukrainian language itself, as a result of promotion by the government, is not necessarily seen as an obstacle to further development. It should not be difficult, therefore, to reassert the Ukrainian language to a prominent position - especially given the fact that Ukrainians themselves are not hostile to it.
Having no Ukrainian ancestory whatsoever, I've made the effort to learn Ukrainian for no other reason than I'm very fond of it. Nonetheless the vast majority of the time I lived in Kyiv I had to use Russian for the simple fact that Ukrainian was quite 'sparse' for lack of a better word. Yet at no time was this ever a surprise to me given Ukraine's history. And at no time did any Ukrainian look down at me for starting a conversation in Russian rather than Ukrainian.
It is therefore with sad irony that since independence Ukraine's best have been leaving in droves despite the initial euphoria of the state's rebirth. Encouraging the Ukrainian language is indeed a noble idea and one to strive for. To discriminate against those who favour Russian, in essence their own native language, would only do Ukraine great harm and mirror the footsteps of those who forced Ukrainians to use other languages than their own.
As one of the more progressive states towards national minorities, the people of Ukraine deserve better than to be divided yet again - this time by themselves.