Ukrainian vs Russian. Or Ukrainian and Russian ?
TV news about survey in Kyiv Schools. The questionnaire has 7 questions, they are all around the main one “Would you like more Russian language lessons for your child ?’. I watch Ganna Stepanenko answers to TV journalists “My child doesn’t need it. I even cancelled her dancing lesson because the trainer was Russian speaking”.
Such a statement raises my deep concerns. No doubts, that despite the empty referendum ideas,the Ukrainian language will remain the only official one. But let us discuss a place for Russian language in Ukraine.
First of all, I would like to mention my Russian speaking friends, who have the same degree of love to homeland as my other Ukrainian–speaking friends. They don’t speak Russian, because there are members of Putin’s fan club or because they support closer ties with Russia. For whatever reasons they prefer to speak this language it doesn’t harm our communication. Of course, they must know native language. But why would I care about their primary communication language if we are able to understand each other? As long as they respect native language, I am totally fine with their choice.
Besides that, sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves. Certain Russian speaking products are just better than Ukrainian counterparts. For instance, I like Korrespondent much more than Novynar. Well, I subscribed for Novynar as well, but only to support this commercial project of KP Media. Expert and Kommersant are in Russian, there are no Ukrainian counterparts at all. Welcome to the free market. Customer decides everything. It is fair.
I appreciate that my secondary school gave me enough knowledge of Russian to enjoy reading in this language. Now, take modern Kyiv schools. Many children have all school lessons in Ukrainian, but speak Russian back home. Because of only one Russian language lesson per week those children have poor writing and reading skills in this language. May parents demand more optional classes of Russian language and literature? As taxpayers to the city they are fully eligible to act so.
One thing always puzzles me. I see great opportunities for smart politicians, who may say “Russian is part of our modern society and we may tolerate its usage. It will never become a second official language, but we are ready to recognize it special status”. This may be a way to gain more support and build a more tolerant society. Surprising, but the politicians never do.
In my opinion, people may decide what language is comfortable for them. Here, in Kyiv, the world unique situation, when two languages peacefully co-exist and people are able to communicate freely in both of them. Dear Ganna, you may find another dancing school with Ukrainian speaking teachers. But what is bad if your child is able to understand some Russian?
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