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Ukrainian language


delphiandomine 88 | 18,163
12 Dec 2011 #31
Your Polish neighbour is just a moron who has never been to Ukraine, but holds historical grudges.
aphrodisiac 11 | 2,437
17 Dec 2011 #32
That's the point, many of them were raised speaking Russian and during the Soviet times didn't identify with the Ukrainian language, which was looked upon as peasants' dialect.

sounds like a wishful thinking on your part. I am Ukrainian and I have never heard that Ukrainian was a peasant language. It is a language which had its ups and downs over the centuries, but it def survived and it is no peasant by any means.
Sasha 2 | 1,083
17 Dec 2011 #33
hat is why they speak Russian over there, my Polish neighbor told me, the Ukrainians don't like their own language.

I think it's logical that if you want to move to Ukraine, you should learn to speak Ukrainian in the first place. Russian won't hurt (you can take advantage of the opportunity to learn them both, since they're pretty close) too, particularly in Kiev and in Eastern cities of the Ukraine. Although in the West speaking Russian may bring you into troubles or have you treated not as well as you expected.

Ukrainian if not spoken by everyone is understood by everyone. Go for it and good luck.

P.S. If you are Polish, then studying Ukrainian will be easier for you than studying Russian for it's sort of bridge-language between us two. And I'm Russian.
Nut 1 | 4
21 Aug 2014 #34
This thread is old, but I still want to answer it, maybe my post will help smb. The thing is that I AM Ukrainian, and I do speak Ukrainian with my friends, my family, moreover, I'm proud of it, and I'm proud when foreigners want to learn my mother tongue :) I'm from Western part of Ukraine, and yes, almost all Ukrainians speak Ukrainian here, but we also understand Russian, and no, we won't beat you if you speak Russian in my town :)
peter_olsztyn 6 | 1,098
22 Aug 2014 #35
we won't beat you if you speak Russian in my town :)

I do understand Ukrainian language in 80% and Russian in 50% but when visited Ukraine always spoke English :)
Wulkan - | 3,203
22 Aug 2014 #36
but when visited Ukraine always spoke English :)

because understanding and speaking are two different things
peter_olsztyn 6 | 1,098
22 Aug 2014 #37
and because of that I don't want to be taken/mistaken for Polish or Russian.
Wulkan - | 3,203
22 Aug 2014 #38
There is no way for Ukrainian to mistake Polish language with Russian. However it's safer to use English as you can't know if the Ukrainian persoan you are speaking to has a good understanding of Polish.
Nathan 18 | 1,349
24 Aug 2014 #39
Feel free to use Polish or English in Ukraine and don't worry - you will be understood. But if you add a few words in Ukrainian, it will always be appreciated. The locals, wherever you are or go, like when you show that you care. There were no known cases of somebody losing mind or having brain explosion for learning a few foreign words.
Wulkan - | 3,203
24 Aug 2014 #40
Feel free to use Polish or English in Ukraine and don't worry

Polish could be useful in Western Ukraine where it's sometimes spoken but not always.
Sasha 2 | 1,083
28 Aug 2014 #41
Feel free to use Polish or English in Ukraine and don't worry

Why do you deliberately slip mentioning Russian as an option? Wait... I said 'deliberately'? Then no questions...
But that's funny.
Vlad1234 17 | 894
3 Jan 2019 #42
Merged:

Who needs help with Russian/Ukrainian?



Does anyone has questions regarding Russian/Ukrainian languages? I would be glad to help.
Bobko 25 | 1,934
11 Nov 2023 #43
Does anyone has questions regarding Russian/Ukrainian languages? I would be glad to help.

1) Is it true, that Ukrainian has its roots amongst the transgender community of Ancient Rus?

2) Is it true, what they say, that the first book translated into Ukrainian was Mein Kampf?

3) Why does Ukrainian borrow so many words from pig dialect? Specifically phrases like "Oink!" and "Oink oink!"?

4) Why do "cat" and "whale" mean the same thing?
pawian 221 | 23,970
11 Nov 2023 #44
Is it true

When an imperialist Russian asks such questions I immediately know they are lying. :):):)
Lyzko 45 | 9,343
13 Nov 2023 #45
@Vlad, objectively speaking, is Ukrainian closer to Polish than Russian?
I was told once that the closest living Slavic language to Polish is actually Czech,
numerous false friends notwithstanding:-)
pawian 221 | 23,970
14 Nov 2023 #46
is Ukrainian closer to Polish than Russian?

When it comes to vocabulary, it is fifty fifty.

When to grammar, it is more Russian-like, I suppose.
jon357 74 | 21,760
14 Nov 2023 #47
When it comes to vocabulary, it is fifty fifty.

There's a big difference between Ukrainian dialects. Listening to people from Lviv, I can understand 100%. due to similarity with Polish. Kyiv people? Maybe 50 or 60%
Bobko 25 | 1,934
14 Nov 2023 #48
I was told once that the closest living Slavic language to Polish is actually Czech

Probably correct.
Alien 20 | 4,732
14 Nov 2023 #49
actually Czech

Much more Slovak language.
Lyzko 45 | 9,343
14 Nov 2023 #50
Hmm, a variety of answers I see.
Many thanks all the same, folks!


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