Tanya Polyakovska17:08, 04.06.24

Parliamentarians see both positive and negative aspects of the law, but note that Ukrainian dubbing will not suffer because of it.

The Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on the status of the English language in Ukraine. People’s deputies Yevgenia Kravchuk and Volodymyr Vyatrovych, who are members of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Humanitarian and Information Policy, told the details of the content of the document.

Thus, Kravchuk, who is the deputy head of the “Servant of the People” faction, noted that the law provides for different transition periods for different articles.

“As for hiring in the public sector. First, there are certain categories. If we talk about district and regional state administrations, then we are talking about managers and their deputies. And the implementation period is two years after the end of martial law. And it is said not about the re-certification of everyone, but only when hiring… If we talk about prosecutors, the top management of the National Police, the Customs, then there the term is even longer – it is four years after the end of martial law,” she explained.

At the same time, some things are implemented by law regardless of martial law, in particular, “more English in kindergartens.” “From September 2026, English will be taught to all children in kindergartens,” Kravchuk said, adding that it will be organized as a game for younger children.

Among other things, the law starts dubbing in English at bus stations, railway stations and airports, as well as on signs in the transport itself.

“We softened it here so that, for example, a minibus in a village that has no tourist attraction – the carrier would not deal with it,” the deputy added.

Yes, according to her, this is a big plus for the tourism industry, because signs in museums will be duplicated in English; descriptions of the exhibits in English should appear within two years.

“As for the emergency medical care. Of course, the doctors will not be in English all the time working with this foreigner… This is a medical emergency. The person is brought to the hospital. What is the first thing the doctor asks? Do you have any allergies or do you have any chronic diseases So, at this basic level, the doctor – or with a translator – will be able to understand. And it is also about a long period of implementation – it is four years after the end of martial law to call an “ambulance” and say in English “I’m sick, I’m there, there, come” – this is two years after martial law, Kravchuk explained.

In addition, with regard to the film industry and cinemas, the parliamentarian reminded that “now there is a quota – 90% in Ukrainian and 10% – in the original languages, other languages.” “This quota does not change. That is, no changes are made to the law on language,” she said.

In turn, Vyatrovych (European Solidarity faction) noted that he has a somewhat different position regarding this law. “First of all, I consider the very idea of ​​this draft law to be false and rather strange. Given the fact that there are some special draft laws on the special status of the English language in the world only in those countries that were once British colonies. That is, they are mostly African countries and part of of Asia,” he said.

He expressed the opinion that the promotion, popularization and learning of the English language is decided not by law, but by time, personnel and financial resources.

“Unfortunately, we have chosen, in my opinion, a completely wrong path, which speaks rather about some demonstrative things, and not about making the English language more popular and making the opportunities to study it much better,” Vyatrovych said.

In particular, with regard to the requirement for doctors to “quickly” know the English language, he noted that such a requirement does not mean that they “will have the opportunity to know this English language.”

“Moreover, it seems to me that on the contrary, it will worsen the possibilities of providing medical assistance when the team cannot go to the call because there will not be a person who knows the English language in its composition. Therefore, it will simply be a direct violation of this law,” – said the deputy.

In addition, Vyatrovych noted that this law does not contain a “dangerous initiative that was embedded in it from the very beginning, which actually provided for the complete elimination of Ukrainian-language dubbing.” “At the level of the Committee, we eliminated this problem… The draft law that was voted on today is not a threat to Ukrainian dubbing,” he emphasized.

Speaking about the “negative” that appeared in this law, the deputy noted that there is a “strange amendment” that provides compensation to cinemas for showing films in English.

“According to the current legislation, it is stipulated that 10% of films in cinemas can be shown in the original, including in English. As the cinemas themselves say, this 10% quota has never been fulfilled. That is, about 1% of this quota is actually used by the cinemas themselves. Therefore, it is quite strange to try to stimulate the supply, that is, by giving money to cinemas, to provoke an increase in demand. I think that, unfortunately, it will turn into the fact that cinemas will simply receive money for empty theaters.” – said the parliamentarian.

Thus, Vyatrovych noted, he does not see “special benefit” from the law, but sees it as “a demonstrably political project.”

(c)UNIAN 2024