language used in Eastern Ukraine?

[Tam]

Hello --
I am a researcher at Boston University examining language use in Ukraine and thought maybe some members here could answer a question or two. I am examining whether the Ukrainian language has become more popular in Eastern Ukraine in the last few years, or if people there still prefer to use Russian. For example, are children in the Donbas taught in Ukrainian or Russian? Is television in Ukrainian? Is there tension between Russian and Ukrainian speakers?

Thanks very much. I'd appreciate anyone's feedback.

Tam

[JetSet]

From my understanding in all regions of Ukraine, the Ukrainian language has gained more popularity. More citizens are beginning to realize it is more than a mere "peasant" language. Language use is still difficult to gauge, since as you probably know, a worker may speak Russian at the factory, Ukrainian in the streets, Russian to his friends, and Ukrainian to his children. You also probably know that some cities are stoically Russian such as Sevastopol. Some government initiatives have helped, but Russian, as compared to Ukrainian, is a little more modern for scientific and mathematical terms.

However, Irena is most likely to be able to provide the most reputable information for your topic. I'm not entirely sure if I helped, so...
Good luck!

[Irinka]

Odessa is located in the South Eastern Ukraine, and just about the whole city speaks Russian. But not because it was originally Ukrainian and the Russians Russified it, but because it was never inherently Ukrainian, but since it is geographically part of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Government is trying to Ukranize it the best it can.
People in Odessa actually started to organize public protests! Odessa is happy to be part of Ukraine, but the strict "Ukranization" laws are driving everyone crazy, including the Orthodox Church which wants to continue to have their services in Russian, the business owners who want their business and advertizing remain in Russian language, organizers of humour street festivals since most of their events are based on famous Odessa humour which is originally in Russian..and etc..
I don't understand why the rest of Ukraine takes this so personally, since Odessa is not asking to separate and they grandly contribute financially to the pathetic Ukraine economy. I'm happy that Ukraine is "Ukranizing" again because I'm Ukrainian, but please do not change Odessa, we like her as she is

[Tam]

Thanks very much for your replies! I appreciate it. :->

I am wondering if I could just ask a couple of specific questions, especially to Irinka. You mentioned that the "strict Ukranization laws are driving everyone crazy," and I've heard that from other people, too. Which laws are you speaking about? For example, can you still watch Russian language TV, and are there still Russian language schools? Also, are the street signs still in Russian? I'm just trying to get a clear idea of what exactly the problems are.

Sorry to ask so many questions! I just find this very interesting, because it's such a difficult topic.

Thanks very much.

-- Tammy in Boston

[Tam]

(1) Where they find me is at the Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology and Policy, where I have studied Ukraine for several years now as part of my doctoral program.

(2) As you may or may not know, when Vladimir Putin last met with President Kuchma (as he was attempting to rescue him during the Gongadze affair) they tried to deal with a number of major disagreements regarding language --including the language used on street signs in several oblasts, a recent edict by the Ukrainian Committee for Information Policy, Television and Radio Broadcasting that all media must transmit only in the Ukrainian language, and a new law that could lead to Ukrainian language exams for all state employees. As Irinka said, protests resulted in a number of areas.

(3) With the Gongadze issue and Yushchenko's ouster, most press outlets have been preoccupied with political affairs, and therefore, information detailing whether these new measures have been implemented is almost non-existent (except in statements from the Russian Foreign Ministry, which is suggesting that these measures have gone into effect and that Russia will protest to the OSCE). For these reasons among others, I was hoping to hear a first-person account --not from a politician or an analyst, but from a Ukrainian living with the situation.

(4) I'm so sorry that my questions were not up to the standards you would like. Thank you for making me feel welcome.

-- Tammy

[JetSet]

Irena, what do you have for this one? You are the rock solid Ukrainian on these boards, are you not?