Nataliia I.

Talent Digger/Ukraine supporter/Human rights defender

May 23, 2024

Your daily reminder

📷Yuval’s @ted conversation with Bruno Giussani, on the context for russia’s invasion, Ukraine’s long history of resistance, and the specter of nuclear war.

https://lnkd.in/dYtPf3V3

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Volodymyr Kukharenko

Helping translation companies to automate business and project management | ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕞

It’s more complicated actually. Ukrainians are Russians (or Rusyns, more correctly, as has to be a noun, not an adjective), but Russians are not Russians, they are Moskovites. They just stole the name by renaming Moskovia to “Rossia” in 1721. And they started to call themselves Russians only 100 years ago (after calling Velokorosy before 1920ties and Moskvins before 1700ties).

So, most of “Russian” mentioned before 18th century was in fact Ukrainian. In 17th century, Bohdan Khmelnitsky was calling himself “Hetman of Rus”, and Rus=Ukraine. In 13th century, Pope addressed Danylo as “King of Rus”, and Alexandr Nevskiy as “Duke of Suzdal”.

But now, Moskovites made it really messy with naming. They desecrated Rus name like Nazis desecrated Hindu symbol of prosperity and good luck.

But anyway, good to hear this from Yuval. And I hope he won’t allow any part of his books be rewritten again in Russian translation, just to be allowed to be sold there. Like it as in “21st lesson for 21st century”. I was shocked to discover that Russian book differs from English on some pages.

…….

This is the map Linguistic map of the Altaic, Turkic and Uralic languages.

As you can see, a great part of them are in Russia. These languages are totally different from Slavic or even any Indo-European languages. This is what remained from the nations that populated most of the land now known by Russian Federation, which still stays a colonial empire.

Currently, there are 65 endangered languages in Russia. And many more are gone. Even Moskow area 1000 years ago was speaking Meryan, a language related to Finnish. They switched to Slavic language when colonizers from Rus came (but still there is a distinct Moskow accent), and then started exterminating other cultures around them. and they were quite successful in that, unfortunately.

The worst part is that they are still doing it. They do not regret it like the Westerners who feel sorry for 18-19th centuries and admit they were doing it wrong. Because mentally, Russian is still in 19th century. In the best case.

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WHY UKRAINIANS SPEAK RUSSIAN? IT DOES NOT MAKE THEM RUSSIAN

Olena Liashenko

February 21, 2024

Today, on February 21st, we commemorate International Mother Language Day, a momentous occasion dedicated to honoring linguistic diversity, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting multilingualism worldwide.

Language is more than a mere tool of communication; it is the essence of our identity, our culture, and our heritage. As we celebrate this day, we usually reflect on the richness of languages that adorn our world map, each one a testament to the ingenuity, resilience, and beauty of human expression.

Let’s talk about the Ukrainian language today.

For centuries, the Ukrainian language has faced persistent suppression and bans imposed by Russia, Poland, and other countries, marking a tumultuous history of linguistic repression. Throughout the ages, the Ukrainian people have strived to preserve their native language, a symbol of their identity and cultural heritage. However, the shadows of linguistic oppression have loomed large over Ukraine, mostly cast by the policies and actions of the Russian authorities.

The history of bans on the Ukrainian language spans centuries, representing a systematic effort to undermine Ukrainian culture and identity. From imperial decrees to Soviet-era policies, the suppression of Ukrainian language and culture has been a recurring theme in the tumultuous relationship between Ukraine and Russia.

Despite the passage of time and changing political landscapes, the struggle for the recognition and promotion of the Ukrainian language continues to this day. Modern-day Ukraine grapples with the remnants of historical linguistic oppression, as Russia’s influence persists in various spheres of Ukrainian society.

In contemporary Ukraine, efforts to promote and protect the Ukrainian language remain paramount. The language serves as a cornerstone of national identity and unity, embodying the rich tapestry of Ukrainian culture and history. However, challenges persist as Ukraine strives to assert its linguistic sovereignty in the face of external pressures.

These efforts are important today, especially because today Putin is aggressively suppressing the Ukrainian language in the Ukrainian territories he illegally occupies.  Just as in the Soviet era, Putin wants to squash Ukraine’s language and culture, and he is doing so wherever his troops control Ukrainian territory.

By 

Olena Liashenko

Creative Director of the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation

https://usukraine.org/blog/why-ukrainians-speak-russian