Small Step for Mykolayiv, Giant Leap for Ukraine

Every now and then you can come across a wonderful story about Ukrainization.

This is a vital process for the simple reason that of all languages in all of the regions in the world, the Ukrainian language after independence and centuries of russification is still under fire from Russia. Consequently, every word uttered in the Ukrainian language is a step in preserving the tongue for future generations.

The Ukrainian parliament, in the recent past, enacted a law on language which gave the Ukrainian language official national status just as national languages have in other countries. Over time, its usage was decreed in all spheres of governmental and business relations. However, implementation and enforcement have been difficult.

And now we arrive in the city of Mykolayiv in southern Ukraine, founded in 1789, population less than 500,000, not far from the Black Sea, some 480 kilometers (300 miles) from Kyiv.

At a meeting of the municipal council on Feb. 2, the newly elected, language conscious mayor, Oleksandr Senkevych, encountered stubborn councilmen who refused to speak in the Ukrainian language at an official council meeting, according to BBC Ukraine. They favored speaking in Russian.

The verbal altercation began when Vladyslav Chayka of the Opposition Platform – For Life, who lost to Senkevych in the mayoral elections, addressed the meeting in Russian. This prompted an outcry from the attendants, who demanded that he speak in Ukrainian.

Chayka admonished them, saying: “What, you don’t understand Russian? Listen, I can speak in Ukrainian as well as in Russian. For me, there is no difference. Right now we are dealing not with politics but with economics.”

Senkevych interjected, pointing out that Ukraine’s language law requires that the council members speak in Ukrainian.

Chayka insisted that he is not violating the Constitution but the Mayor wouldn’t concede, saying that he would simultaneously translate his remarks into Ukrainian.

And so he did, according to BBC, word for word, sentence for sentence.

The same situation occurred during Councilman Oleksandr Medvedev’s comments.

Ironically, at the end of the discussion, Medvedev turned to Mayor Senkevych and said in Russian: “Oleksandr Fedorovych, you’re a bad translator.” And the Mayor sarcastically translated word for word the councilman’s opinion into Ukrainian.

Local sources reported that in reply to a Councilman Ruslan Moskalenko’s earlier Russian-language statements, Taras Kremin, who is in charge of overseeing Ukrainian language fulfillment, reminded Senkevych of the law’s implementation. He said local officials, who took an oath to speak in Ukrainian, are required to do so at official meetings and events.

This occurrence in small Mykolayiv is worthy of emulation across Ukraine, even in linguistically conscious western Ukraine.

Native language plays an essential role in establishing your and your people’s identity. History, faith, culture and experiences are inherent in language. Learning the native language signifies learning the same history and culture of your parents, relatives, ancestors, and even the generations past and still to be born.

Tenacious, conscious usage of the Ukrainian language will keep Ukraine independent and sovereign and the nation alive.