lemko or rusyn

[bm-21Lemko]

I want to learn Lemkiv or rusyn one of the two. I understand Lemko is a dialect of rusyn and Ukrainian. I would like to learn the dialect and where to find materials. I have tried contacting some rusyn organizations but none have gotten back to me. so if anyone can teach me I will be greatful.

[Max_the_Highlander]

Hi, bm-21Lemko, I'm from Transcarpathia, the original Ukrainian land of rusyns.

Lemko and rusyn are different ideas. Lemkos, boykos, hutsuls, dolynians are Ukrainian subethnoses living in Carpathians and around. Lemkos live in Poland and Hungary as well.

Rusin is old European name for Slav inhabitants of Carpathians, mostly for Ukrainians in Transcarpathia and Halych. Now this term is used just here in Transcarpathia.

Yes, many people speak that funny dialect though it is used more in villages.

There are whole bunch of rusyn organizations here but whom do you look for? For rusyn organizations in Ukraine or beyond?

I bet folks in local organizations are weak in English.

[bm-21Lemko]

thanks for your response Max_the_Highlander. I've tried organizations in the U.S. but none have responded to me and its been two years. I have not tried Ukraine rusyn organizations because i do not speak Ukranian and do not know of any. If you can help I will be very greatful. I would like to learn the language of my ancestors though.

[Max_the_Highlander]

Well, I will look for websites, there are many of them. We have here bunch of rusyn organizations and activists but I doubt if they can help you... no one of them is speaking English, they cultivate that mentioned dialect and consider it as their only language.

As far as I know they have strong links with diaspora organizations. So sometimes these are different doors to the same room.

Their outlook though is shared not by all. Majority of people are not so troubled by those culture and language issues.

I live in the city and I don't speak dialect but I understand it... so sorry, I can't teach you.

[bm-21Lemko]

Just curious, Are you a subethnoses of any Ukranian group then such as a boyko or hutsul?

Do know any of the key differences in the dialect?

Thanks for all your help!!!

[bm-21Lemko]

sorry for two posts.

I have another question could you teach me Ukranian, that you speak in transcarpathia?

[bm-21Lemko]

sorry, another post.
I found this and heard this is the closest to lemko.

"Upper Dniestrian is considered to be the main Galician dialect, spoken in the Lviv Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts. Its distinguishing characteristics are the influence of Polish and the German vocabulary, which is reminiscent of the Austro-Hungarian rule."

Thanks for your help.