Articles:
I Love Ukraine
The Ukrainian language has a long and fascinating history. In spite of attempts to stop or limit its use, as well as fierce competition from the Russian language, Ukranian still prospers in the Ukraine, particularly in the western regions. As its use is encouraged more and more under the present government, even more Ukrainian people speak the language as their native tongue of choice. The shift in language is especially notable in Kiev, where rural dwellers have moved into the city, bringing their language with them. Schools in the Ukraine have started to provide more education about the native Ukraine language.
The history of Ukraine is debated among scholars, but seems to trace back as far as the tenth century. This earliest sample represents an early form of the language, from which modern Ukrainian evolved.
Though this ancient representation of the language is written, Ukrainian existed largely as a spoken language for several centuries. Until the 18th century, it was largely spoken in rural areas by peasants and the lower middle class. In 1798, a poem called Eneyida, by Ivan Kotlyarevsky, appeared. It was a satiric epic based on the Aeneid, and was written in a common form of Ukrainian. Because of its satirical subject matter, it avoided censorship. The earliest known book published in Ukrainian, it survived a long period of suppression of the Ukrainian language and gave linguists valuable information about earlier forms of Ukrainian.
Written and spoken forms of Ukrainian differed greatly until the end of the 18th century, making it difficult for linguists to trace the language's exact origins and evolution. Struggles between Russia and Poland over ownership of the Ukraine added more difficulty to the language's development, as well as to the areas and popularity of its use. Theories abound among scholars as to the exact origins of the language, and how it developed over the centuries. Some of these theories have fallen under modern scrutiny, while others are still accepted or at least considered as serious possibilities.
Whatever the origins, the Ukrainian language represents an important, rich history to the people who speak it.
Ukrainian Traditional Folklore
Ukrainian folklore shares many beliefs and practices with the wider Slavic population in Eastern Europe. However, Ukraine has had unique historical experiences that have given it its own distinct traditions as well.
''Ridne Slovo''
