Language in Odessa

[GEOVNNI]

I am planning to travel to Odessa this year, I was wondering what language is spoken there. Someone told me Ukrainian, but others told me Russian. I want to learn the right language before going. Thanks, Alex

[grandma]

Hm... the both.

[NORRYM]

The 'Odessa language question' can be answered from many aspects. The official, mandated by the constitution, language of Ukraine is Ukrainian. Can Odessites speak Ukrainian? Probably a few - no statistics exist to indicate the percentage. Do Odessites speak Russian? Probably more of them do, then Ukrainian - this holds true throughout the South-Eastern regions of Ukraine.

Odessa, being a port of international trade, holds a particular distinction on the language question, because of its checkered demographics. By all indications, Odessa is a multi-lingual city. Just today, a radio program featured a report on the Chinese community in Odessa inaugurating a first Chinese-language paper in the whole Ukraine. Apparently, none in the community can read Ukrainian or Russian and, thus, until now were deprived of following the news in print.

emkay/02/10/01

[chebyrashka]

I think nearly everyone in Odessa prefers Russian over Ukrainian. It will be a wierd mix. Everyone speaks Russian but most of the signs are in Ukrainian. I think you'll have better luck learning Russian and getting use from it.

[Irinka]

I'm originally from Odessa, and I have just spent 3 weeks there. I haven't heard even one person in my 3 weeks in Odessa speak Ukrainian, just about everyone speaks Russian.
Even though Odessa is Ukrainian politically and geographically, it never was truly Ukrainian. It has been taken over by many armies of various nations, including Katherine The Great who actually named the city.
I speak fluent Russian, so it was easy for me.
Also, Odessa has a huge population of Koreans and Chinese, they speak Russian as well. You'll see a very nice mix of different nationalities in Odessa, it's very pleasant.
When are you going there and how long are you staying?

Irina

[DanaM]

I have heard that the Pope's visits to Lviv and Kyiv have created a positive response in the public for the Ukrainian language. He spoke Ukrainian throughout his trip (as well as Latin at mass), and many said that it was some of the most beautiful and literal use of the language they have ever heard- and it was THEIR language. Could this possibly cause an upturn in use?

Dana

[JoseyWales1]

Hello,

Have fun...I'll be there soon myself..


"outlaw" JoseyWales