Thread: Members of Ukrainian parliament fight over Russian language

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

I believe I'm treated as a second grade citizen every time I have no choice about what language to use, filling forms (almost all of them are Ukrainian only) or going to movies (no choice whatsoever, to watch a movie dubbed to Russian I have to go to Russia, it's nonsense, considering at least 15 millions of native Russian speakers in Ukraine).

don't you know Ukrainian? if so why?

why do i not feel this way? my mother tongue is Russian

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

When Russian-speaking schools are turned into Ukrainian forcefully in purely Russian-speaking regions against wishes of teachers, parents and kids - usually without any way to oppose this decision since Russian officially has no more rights in situations like this than any other foreign language (and it concerns me personally because it affects my family, particularly two different schools attended by my niece and cousin).

did you read the Constitution? did you vote for it?

Originally Posted by LXNDR

don't you know Ukrainian? if so why?

I'm essentially fluent in Ukrainian, but it's not my native language and never will be. At the same time I'm a citizen of Ukraine for as long as it exists, and I feel that I should have a right to use the language that is "native" to me and to this part of the country freely and officially. Especially since it's just legislation of something that already exists, and will require minimum effort from the state.

Originally Posted by LXNDR

why do i not feel this way? my mother tongue is Russian

How could I know? Some people are ambivalent about this, and others are quite passionate (pro or contra). It depends on you personal views, your heritage, your family traditions and place of your residence.
You might feel ok with the current situation, but I'm bothered by it, and have been for a long time.

Originally Posted by LXNDR

did you read the Constitution? did you vote for it?

Nope. It was adopted and ratified by the Parliament in 1996 (with only 15 votes over minimum required). There was no referendum, afaik. How was I supposed to vote for it? =/

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

I'm essentially fluent in Ukrainian, but it's not my native language and never will be. At the same time I'm a citizen of Ukraine for as long as it exists, and I feel that I should have a right to use the language that is "native" to me and to this part of the country freely and officially. Especially since it's just legislation of something that already exists, and will require minimum effort from the state.

excuse me, but if this is your reasoning i think your desire of having filling forms and subtitles in Russian is just a whim

i don't care whether they're in English, because i can understand it, let alone Ukrainian

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

How could I know? Some people are ambivalent about this, and others are quite passionate (pro or contra). It depends on you personal views, your heritage, your family traditions and place of your residence.
You might feel ok with the current situation, but I'm bothered by it, and have been for a long time.

believe me if i felt discriminated against i would be vocal about it, but i'm not vocal because there's nothing to be vocal about as far as language is concerned

Originally Posted by gRomoZeka

Nope. It was adopted and ratified by the Parliament in 1996 (with only 15 votes over minimum required). There was no referendum, afaik. How was I supposed to vote for it? =/

you're right i retract my question, and i'm really surprised it wasn't ratified on a referendum, i consider it amiss

Originally Posted by LXNDR

excuse me, but if this is your reasoning i think your desire of having filling forms and subtitles in Russian is just a whim

I think to turn a blind eye on what gRomoZeka is saying is not that wise. If tomorrow she or her children would vote for a separatist party or join some secessionist movements, don't start blaming Russia for its aggressive foreign politics. Blame the ignorance.

The "5th Channel" launched an advertising campaign against official recognition of Russian language in Ukraine:

Я хочу розмовляти українською мовою! - YouTube
Єдина державна мова - українська! - YouTube
Скажи "НІ" казнокрадам і українофобам! - YouTube
Я не хочу жити в резервації! - YouTube