Re: The problem of languages in another countries

Borys Kosarev: Modernist Kharkiv, 1915-1931 at The Ukrainian Museum thru May 2, 2012

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Posted by Ihor Solovey on March 27, 2000 at 18:06:52:

In Reply to: Re: The problem of languages in another countries posted by habelok on March 27, 2000 at 11:23:08:

: Lesia,
: Why always do we have to copy or to look up for cultural matters outside of Ukraine? It is not of a technological importance for us. What do YOU think about it? What is YOUR opinion? What is a language for you anyway? Is it one of the means of communication or is it a religious matter? Why are we so dramatic about it? By the way it is not the Russians who keep Russian language alive, it is the Ukrainians who find it more convenient to use in their every day life. Yes, under the Soviets people were put in the position to speak Russian. Yes, they are used to it. So what? Let it be. Why is it such a big deal?

It is such a big deal, because it was done artificially to make Ukrainians forget their national identity, to become part of "Soviet nation". A part of reviving what was once lost is creating conditions under which Ukrainians would want to use Ukraine.

: Sure we shout "Shame!". But I think, a language, same as a religion, is something that every individual decides for himself or herself personally.

I don't think "Soviet people" had much choice. Did you?

: Plus, everybody, why almost all of you picking on the Ukrainians from the Eastern Ukraine? They speak what ever they can.

Nobody is going to make them speak Ukrainian if they don't want to. But not to teach their kids to want to do that is a crime against Ukraine.

: Leave them alone.

Again, they should try to speak Ukrainian whenever they can, but if they just don't want to change their way of life, at least they shouldn't object that their kids have to learn the one and only official language. That's they way it is done with immigrants in US or Canada. Many older people just can't learn to speak English fluently, but they don't create mini-atmosphere where only their language is allowed around themselves.

: Be tolerant people. Don't become language fundamentalists.
: Take a note. I am not from the Eastern Ukraine. And my primary language IS Ukrainian.

That doesn't help you understand some of our society's problems though.

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: : Lesia, : : Why always do we have to copy or to look up for cultural matters outside of Ukraine? It is not of a technological importance for us. What do YOU think about it? What is YOUR opinion? What is a language for you anyway? Is it one of the means of communication or is it a religious matter? Why are we so dramatic about it? By the way it is not the Russians who keep Russian language alive, it is the Ukrainians who find it more convenient to use in their every day life. Yes, under the Soviets people were put in the position to speak Russian. Yes, they are used to it. So what? Let it be. Why is it such a big deal? : It is such a big deal, because it was done artificially to make Ukrainians forget their national identity, to become part of "Soviet nation". A part of reviving what was once lost is creating conditions under which Ukrainians would want to use Ukraine. : : Sure we shout "Shame!". But I think, a language, same as a religion, is something that every individual decides for himself or herself personally. : I don't think "Soviet people" had much choice. Did you? : : Plus, everybody, why almost all of you picking on the Ukrainians from the Eastern Ukraine? They speak what ever they can. : Nobody is going to make them speak Ukrainian if they don't want to. But not to teach their kids to want to do that is a crime against Ukraine. : : Leave them alone. : Again, they should try to speak Ukrainian whenever they can, but if they just don't want to change their way of life, at least they shouldn't object that their kids have to learn the one and only official language. That's they way it is done with immigrants in US or Canada. Many older people just can't learn to speak English fluently, but they don't create mini-atmosphere where only their language is allowed around themselves. : : Be tolerant people. Don't become language fundamentalists. : : Take a note. I am not from the Eastern Ukraine. And my primary language IS Ukrainian. : That doesn't help you understand some of our society's problems though.

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