The war in Ukraine is not only being fought at the front.
The Ukrainians have also for a long time shown their disgust and opposition to neighboring Russia when they write. It is not unusual to read posts and articles where Russia is written with a small r and Moscow with a small m.
Now the Ukrainian Language Council has also approved the new practice.
Last week it was allowed to write Russia, Moscow, The Russian Federation and The Russian Empire with small initials.
– This is part of the heroic struggle of the Ukrainian people for an independent Ukrainian state, wrote the National Commission for a Standardized Ukrainian Language.
Does not respect “Russia”
On the streets of Kyiv, student Matvi (21) welcomes the decision. This is something he has been doing for a long time. Dropping the capital letter is quite common among his friends and acquaintances.
– This is my way of showing that I do not respect the neighboring country, says Matvi.
The decision came after Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk asked the Ukrainian Language Council to consider the matter.
– I urge the National Commission not to waste time and formalize what all Ukrainians, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk wrote on Facebook.
Photo: VALENTYN OGIRENKO / Reuters
– This is probably not something to discuss because most Ukrainians are already doing this, she wrote on her Facebook-side. The national commission does not need to waste time. It is just a matter of formalizing a decision, said Vereshchuk.
In official documents, capital letters must still be used.
– My way of showing disgust
– It was about time, it should have happened a long time ago, says 85-year-old Anna. She is sitting on a bench in the center of Kyiv.
The war has made Anna (85) a refugee in her own country. Now only lives in Kyiv because his hometown Bakhmut is in ruins.
Photo: Kari Skeie / NRK
– Do you know where I come from? I am from Bakhmut. Everything is destroyed there and this is the only thing I have left, she says and points to a small bag and a bag next to her on the bench.
Now she lives with her nephew in Kyiv and wonders when the war and the misery that Russia has inflicted on her will end.
Anna Maria (25) does like many Ukrainians. She writes “Russia”.
Photo: Kari Skeie / NRK
Anna Maria (25) says she has consistently used lowercase letters since the full-scale invasion last February.
– This is my way of showing that I do not respect and feel disgust for Russia. In our time, it is not normal to attack your neighbor and kill people, she says.
2023-09-27 11:32:54
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