Language as a key identity factor of ukraine’s nation

Abstract

Language status is a subject of hot discussions in Ukraine. In the recent years the organs of State power passed a number of legal acts and resolutions widening the limits of home language implementation. The Law on Languages in USSR (1989), and resolutions of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (1999) were directed on solution of pressing language problems. The Article 10 of the Constitution of Ukraine regulates the use of Ukrainian language as the only state language.

Home language takes a vitally important place in the state policy of Ukraine. Language is nation’s genetic code and the means of civic and national education. Home language is a reliable means of differentiation of Ukrainians from other nations, and a significant unification factor for all citizens. Ukrainian language is treated to be a “symbolic key to the national culture”.

Home language usage is considered to be one of the most vital, most complicated multifold issues in Ukraine. Thus, research on this issue remains an important objective.

The purpose of this article is to outline home language as the key factor and the main feature of Ukraine’s national identity; to point out its current challenges and development perspectives; to find out the origin of bilingualism in Ukraine and its probable consequences for this country.

There are three basic research methods: supervision-based linguistic description, arrangement of language facts and phenomena, systemic analysis.

Universal theories explaining the interrelation between the Ukrainian language and main characteristics or key factors of national identity have not been constructed yet. Further investigations in this area are expected to contribute into the academic novelty of this research.

Result: Bilingualism is still on the agenda in Ukraine. Arguably, granting another language (Russian) a status of second official language in Ukraine might ruin the civic compromise. Instead of declared civic consolidation, this action might result in aggravation of the language crisis.

Bilingual environment is highly likely to put Ukraine under the danger of losing its identity and inevitably turning into a region of Russia. Preservation of Ukrainian language, its protection from external negative impacts has become a vitally important mission. Despite regularly emerging challenges in home language functioning, there are a lot of evident quality improvements. Over the years of independence Ukrainian language has spread within education sector and business documentation; it is widely used at public events and performances. More and more young people use Ukrainian language as a means of everyday communication. Standard Ukrainian language has reached high level of development. It has advanced grammar, replenished scientific terminology vocabulary, well-developed stylistics covering all spheres of life. Ukrainian language is characterized by a high cognitive, expressive and communicative potential.

Conclusions: According to the conception of the State policy, Ukrainian language has a status of single state language in Ukraine. This approach guarantees preservation of national identity of Ukrainian ethnicity and protection of state integrity. In light of this, both the society and the State are expected to contribute into renovation and protection of Ukrainian language.

Perspective of further research: Home language is an ancient historic and cultural legacy of Ukraine. The state is supposed to invest into preservation and examination of Ukrainian language dialects, the original source of its uniqueness and power.