Language

[grandma]

So, my questions are following:
1. What will be Ukrain without its languages?
2. If the languages arent the basis of the culture, what is this basis?
3. All nations have some strange blood, so nobody is 100% pure blood. But when this strange element became a part of the nation?

At last, as was sayd in this Forum - how many time will exist Ukrain?

[Phillip]

How can I answer something so remote to me,

anyone?

[StasUA]

I think, that Language, is what makes a nation - nation. If you speak your language, and you read in your language, nobody will ever say that you're something different. Having people speak their langauge is very important, it holds a country together, people that used to their language, wont tolerate those who will try to make them speak their language. It is better for independence, - which is better for a country. And a country without independence is not a country. Belorus has been totally eliminated from the face of the Earth. Only few speak Belorussian, now after they lost independence, they lost their culture, and language, if new generation wont learn its language, you can say for sure, that this nation is nothing no more. I hope this union between Russia and Belorus will break, and I hope more strongly that no nation will join it. Ooops, I'm off the subject

[johnstruthers]

No, Stas, that's still very much on the topic. You know, I actually agree with you, except I think that Ukraine will do just fine even if it is bi-lingual in practice. As long as it doesn't join the union with Belarus.

[grandma]

Do you think, John, that it is possible to be bilingual if we speak about Russian and Ukrain? I see here in the Basque Country that people are bilingual, but the both are very different languages. So one cant affect another.

[StasUA]

Grandmas right, A language that has almost nothing in common, will not be a danger, but a language that is very similiar is a big danger, 2 similiar languages can lead to creation of 1 language, that has both languages in it, a mutant language.

[This message has been edited by StasUA (edited 07 February 2000).]

[johnstruthers]

In that case, nobody loses: It's a neutral outcome. In any case, languages evolve, and are always in process of change. There is no force that can stop it.