Re: Language

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

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Brama Survey Comment Board ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Ihor on March 30, 2000 at 23:07:23:

In Reply to: Re: Language posted by lesia on March 30, 2000 at 03:05:19:

: : : : 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?

Pani Lese, a mene choho pytayete? Vy zh z Stefanom zdayetsya rozmovslyaly... But I'll answer the question: they most probably won't. They could talk to you in Russian, but you can speak whatever you want.

Follow Ups:

Re: Language lesia 03/31/00 (2)

Re: Language Ihor 04/01/00 (1)

Re: Language lesia 04/03/00 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: : : : : 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? : Pani Lese, a mene choho pytayete? Vy zh z Stefanom zdayetsya rozmovslyaly... But I'll answer the question: they most probably won't. They could talk to you in Russian, but you can speak whatever you want.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Brama Survey Comment Board ] [ FAQ ]