Re: Language

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

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Posted by lesia on March 30, 2000 at 03:05:19:

In Reply to: Re: Language posted by Stefan on March 29, 2000 at 13:59:14:

: : : 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.

So, druzhe Igoriu, today I must call to a Ministery in Kiev. If I speak in Ukrainian, and they say me: *No Ukrainian, please*, what?

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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. : : So, druzhe Igoriu, today I must call to a Ministery in Kiev. If I speak in Ukrainian, and they say me: *No Ukrainian, please*, what?

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