Re: Language

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

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Posted by Stefan on March 29, 2000 at 13:59:14:

In Reply to: Re: Language posted by lesia on March 29, 2000 at 11:43:11:

: : Myself, I prefer, e.g., the Norwegian approach. English is not an official language there, of course, but somehow I've never had any problem of whatever kind using it in the *official* environment there. Because the attitude is positive ("if we can help, let's do it") rather than negative ("no Russian please").

:
: Somebody some years ago say with scorn "No Norwegian, please"?

I'd reckon yes -- the Danes until 1814, the Swedes thereafter until 1905 :-)

: I listened to this too much in my life. I haven't any problem to speak Russian, but when I go to ANY GOVERNAMENTAL OFFICE I want to speak in MY LANGUAGE. You want bilingualism?

I think I want polylingualism, for that matter :-)

: But where is it in Ukraine? Try to call any Ministry, and you will listen "Not Ukrainian, please". Try to say it in Norwegia...

Fortunately enough, I've been spared the experience -- which I'm only happy about because those Ministries can't do anything but harm anyway... But sure, there's no question -- if you WANT to speak Ukrainian to them, they must be able to reply in Ukrainian to you. The question is not really one of the knowledge of the language -- it's one of attitude; and the problem is that as far as anyone can easily see, the attitude and the goals of many people are somewhat different.

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: : : Myself, I prefer, e.g., the Norwegian approach. English is not an official language there, of course, but somehow I've never had any problem of whatever kind using it in the *official* environment there. Because the attitude is positive ("if we can help, let's do it") rather than negative ("no Russian please"). : : : : Somebody some years ago say with scorn "No Norwegian, please"? : I'd reckon yes -- the Danes until 1814, the Swedes thereafter until 1905 :-) : : I listened to this too much in my life. I haven't any problem to speak Russian, but when I go to ANY GOVERNAMENTAL OFFICE I want to speak in MY LANGUAGE. You want bilingualism? : I think I want polylingualism, for that matter :-) : : But where is it in Ukraine? Try to call any Ministry, and you will listen "Not Ukrainian, please". Try to say it in Norwegia... : Fortunately enough, I've been spared the experience -- which I'm only happy about because those Ministries can't do anything but harm anyway... But sure, there's no question -- if you WANT to speak Ukrainian to them, they must be able to reply in Ukrainian to you. The question is not really one of the knowledge of the language -- it's one of attitude; and the problem is that as far as anyone can easily see, the attitude and the goals of many people are somewhat different.

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