Language in Ukraine

Language is at the forefront of this conflict, however not in Ukraine, as far as I can tell. In Ukraine, there are primary Russian speakers and primary Ukrainian speakers. There is a preponderance of each in different regions of the country.

In general, Ukraine dominates in the West of the country, while Russia is dominant in the east. Of note, it’s also still dominant among the intelligentsia, in media, and in government services. That Russia destroyed a Russian-speaking city In Mariopul, to liberate it, of course, is crazy under we want to liberate your logic.

That Russia is trying to destroy the Russian-speaking east of the country is only turning many residents against them, though not against those speaking Russian. It is to the point that Russia is now pushing Russification inside Russia.

Here is where things become a tad messier, and they have long roots. They go beyond the Soviet period, but the early Soviet period is a good start. Ukraine has a rich history, with a rich language and culture. Americans may even be familiar with some of it. Fiddler on the Roof is set in Ukraine, not Russia, for example.

Ukraine was a troublesome colony, with national ambitions. During the early years of the Revolution, and civil war, she was independent. It was a moment, a taste, of what this could feel like. The early years of asserted Russian control saw an experiment in Ukrainization. This saw the writing of the first Ukrainian dictionary and grammar, as well as a revival of the language in the arts.