10 questions to Ukrainian you were embarrassed to ask
Is Ukraine an independent country?
Photo credit: Encyclopedia Britannica. Inc.
Photo credit: Encyclopedia Britannica. Inc.
Yes, it is an independent state in eastern Europe.
Ukraine is a country with a long history, but it gained its independence only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The beginning of the Ukrainian ethnіcity is the late medieval times when Kyivan Rus was founded.
Then, for a long time, the territory of modern Ukraine was split between different states and empires: The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, The Grand Duchy of Moscow, The Russian Empire, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, and finally an integral part of the USSR for almost 70 years.
What languages do people speak in Ukraine?
Most people speak Ukrainian and Russian.
But note that very often, people speak the combination of two languages called surzhyk.
According to the sociological research made in 2019:
46% mostly speak Ukrainian; 32,4 % of them speak only Ukrainian.
28,1% mostly speak Russian; 15,8 % of them speak only Russian.
24, 9% speak Ukrainian and Russian equally.
Note: after the Russian annexation of Crimea and invasion of Dondass in 2014, more and more people prefer to speak primarily Ukrainian.
If I am learning Ukrainian, can I also speak to Russians?
You definitely can speak to a Ukrainian who is speaking Russian because almost all Ukrainians are bilingual and can speak and understand both languages. It is the result of long term forced Russification.
But not all people from Russia will understand you. It depends on how often do they deal with the Ukrainian language and other Slavic languages in general.
Note: Between Russian and Ukrainian languages, there is a 38% difference in vocabulary.
Are all Ukrainians European Union oriented?
Most are, according to the sociological research made in March 2021:
58.8% think that Ukraine needs to join the EU.
26.4% think that Ukraine shouldn’t join the EU.
14.8% didn’t answer.
Why the capital is Kyiv and not Kiev?
Kyiv (Old East Slavic Кыєвь, Old Ukrainian Києвъ) comes out “Kyjevъ gordъ” as the legendary founder of the city was Kyi. Ukrainian: Кий (Kyi) and Russian: Кий (Kiî).
That is why Kiev is a Russian version of romanization. According to the modern Ukrainian spelling, it is Kyiv.
Photo credit: Melinda Haring
Why is Ukrainian music so good?
Ukrainians are known to be good musicians.
Ukrainian folk is rich in various traditional instruments, harmonious melodies, and unique singing styles. Therefore, it has been necessary for our ancestors to save the tradition of Ukrainian music.
Even the songs from the pre-Christian period are still known in modern Ukraine. Go-A’s song “Shum”, which won 5th place in the Eurovision music contest this year, is a brilliant example of it.
Is Ukraine a developing country?
Yes, it is. According to the International Monetary Fund, in 2019, Ukraine overtook Moldova as the poorest country in Europe.
But don’t think that all Ukrainians are poor.
Construction is booming almost in every city. The thing is that Ukrainians with some extra savings do not put their money into banks but buy additional apartments instead or save money in cash.
Main reasons for poverty in Ukraine:
- The long period of ignoring progressive reforms.
- Strong oligarchy.
- Low labour productivity.
- Corruption.
- Ongoing war conflict with Russia in Donbass.
Are Ukrainian women are golddiggers?
No.
As in every country, there are different people in Ukraine.
Some are golddiggers, for sure. Most of them you can meet at nightclubs and scam dating websites.
But as usual Ukrainian women are looking for caring, responsible men to build a family together. They don’t mind if they are foreign or not.
Are Ukrainians nationalists?
There are right-wing nationalists, but their number is not significant. But Ukraine was under different states where they had no say in their governance. That is why it is important to point out Ukrainian symbols, language, clothes, food etc. So, many Ukrainians are rather patriots.
Foreigners have to understand that Ukraine is still forming its nation when most European countries have had it for a long time.
Do you have any other questions you want to ask Ukrainians? Don’t hesitate to ask in the comments.