This article explains why some Ukrainians still speak Russian, despite the country‘s efforts to promote Ukrainian as its official language. The author, Kate Tsurkan, notes that speaking Russian was once a symbol of elitism and Russianness in Ukraine, but this stereotype has been undermined by the 2014 Euromaidan protests and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
However, since the start of the full-scale war with Russia in 2022, there has been a shift towards promoting Ukrainian as the primary language of public life. Many Ukrainians now see speaking Russian as a way for Russia to claim that they are “protecting” Russian-speaking Ukrainians, which is seen as a pretext for further aggression.
A survey by Rating found that 70% of Ukrainians now speak exclusively or primarily in Ukrainian at home, up from 50% in 2015 and 46% in 2006. While some people still speak Russian with friends or family, an increasing number choose to speak only Ukrainian in public.
The article also notes that the pace of this language shift is a matter of debate in Ukrainian society, with some arguing that it should happen more quickly. Ukrainian poet Yaryna Chornohuz wrote on Facebook that if Ukrainians don’t change their language and identity, they risk losing even more territory to Russia.
The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of listening to Ukrainians themselves when discussing topics like language use in Ukraine. She notes that speaking Russian does not signify a pro-Russian allegiance, but rather is a signifier of what some Ukrainian families had to do to survive under occupation.
Overall, this article provides an insight into the complex and evolving attitudes towards language use in Ukraine, particularly since the start of the full-scale war with Russia. It highlights the importance of promoting Ukrainian as the primary language of public life and encourages Ukrainians to think critically about their language choices in the face of Russian aggression.