tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post6569024685622339431..comments2023-08-17T06:30:30.251-07:00Comments on On Second Thought: Why We Speak Ukrainian in UkraineGreg Silvahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06305820321683242111noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-23779495128413550252008-09-21T10:27:00.000-07:002008-09-21T10:27:00.000-07:00It's OK, Cara. We just figured you meant to say th...It's OK, Cara. We just figured you meant to say that! :)<BR/><BR/>EdnaGreg and Edna Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066968046147405213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-73913570337006006562008-09-19T01:20:00.000-07:002008-09-19T01:20:00.000-07:00Thanks Ben,I know the map looks a little strange, ...Thanks Ben,<BR/>I know the map looks a little strange, but it's not showing necessarily that Ukrainian is the major language spoken. It represents where Ukrainian is used as the chief language in an official capacity like for schools, signs, and government. I was surprised to find that the gray areas represent areas where Russian or another language like Romanian is used for official functions. <BR/><BR/>I still can't claim to understand how it all works. I was just watching a show on TV about the Carpathian culture where all the people being interviewed were speaking Ukrainian, but they were being voiced over with a Russian translation. Why? I'm so confused. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, I hope to someday become fluent in Ukrainian and then maybe it will be easier to tackle Russian. That might be a few years down the road though. I just think language here is fascinating although sometimes a little frustrating.<BR/><BR/>-GregGreg and Edna Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066968046147405213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-24325040804937558982008-09-18T13:05:00.000-07:002008-09-18T13:05:00.000-07:00hey greg! props to you for this interesting and i...hey greg! props to you for this interesting and informative post! though i think that the color-coded map may be not entirely accurate, since as you said only 67% site ukrainian as their 1st language and it seems to me that much more than that is dark blue. if i ever get time i'd love to learn ukrainian in all of its glory (the fact that i can speak fluent russian and understand most ukrainian probably keeps me from feeling a serious need to learn it better). kudos to you!benjamin morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09186633523166261181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-86905284739597689442008-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:002008-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:00Carochka,Thanks for the plug on your blog. We can'...Carochka,<BR/>Thanks for the plug on your blog. We can't wait to see you in Чернігів. ;) When are you going to come visit us down here in Б.Ц.?<BR/><BR/>Marina,<BR/>I was thinking the same thing when I first saw that map, but I think it means areas where Ukrainian is used for signs, official documents, and in schools. Unlike those villages we visited where they speak Romanian and teach Romanian in the schools instead of Ukrainian.<BR/><BR/>Michelle,<BR/>Thanks. I think Ukrainian is a beautiful language and it touches my heart to hear that more people are learning it. The shift will likely continue as the next generation grows up speaking Ukrainian in school.<BR/><BR/>-GregGreg and Edna Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066968046147405213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-7038091080167224752008-09-16T03:57:00.000-07:002008-09-16T03:57:00.000-07:00Great post! I have been here for 9 years and began...Great post! I have been here for 9 years and began to learn Russian as most people around me spoke it, but there has been a definite shift towards Ukrainian with the people around me in Kyiv and with the people I minister with/to. I now feel compelled to learn/speak Ukrainian. I think it's really important to be at least comfortable with the language if you are living here.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10614435122768314831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-62185432510022611062008-09-15T16:55:00.000-07:002008-09-15T16:55:00.000-07:00from russian speaking chernihiv - it should be ver...from russian speaking chernihiv - it should be very light blue on the map.Marinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05443712889389378465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-90924325197481826582008-09-15T14:12:00.000-07:002008-09-15T14:12:00.000-07:00As a foreigner speaking English, but understanding...As a foreigner speaking English, but understanding Ukrainian more and more, and in a Ukrainian speaking church...way to go! Made me want to stand up and sing "Ukraine is not yet dead"! :) See you guys in Russian speaking CherniGov soon! :)Cara Denneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02960374577102748864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-1976696290587453332008-09-13T05:09:00.000-07:002008-09-13T05:09:00.000-07:00Thank you so much Vika,We have heard you speak Ukr...Thank you so much Vika,<BR/>We have heard you speak Ukrainian and you didn't sound weird to us. Hope to see you in Chernihiv at the conference. <BR/><BR/>-ГригорійGreg and Edna Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066968046147405213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-2335647702829299342008-09-12T13:39:00.000-07:002008-09-12T13:39:00.000-07:00Good job and good reasons, guys!I will speak Engli...Good job and good reasons, guys!<BR/>I will speak English to you :) as Ukrainian is a great challenge for me. I understand it perfectly but can not speak, it sound very weird when I do. But I do agree with you and thank you for refreshing for my knowledge of our history.<BR/>May the Lord bless your studying!Little Vikyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09879088455897161168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-87466769595667192432008-09-12T01:42:00.000-07:002008-09-12T01:42:00.000-07:00Ksenia,Thanks for your encouraging comment. It's n...Ksenia,<BR/>Thanks for your encouraging comment. It's nice to know that the Ukrainian culture is alive and well in Canada and elsewhere.<BR/><BR/>**************************<BR/><BR/>OK, I guess I was rambling a bit so to put it simply, God has really put it on our hearts to share His Word with the children in Ukraine. That being said, I'll sum up it up with just one sentence.<BR/><BR/>Ісус же сказав: Пустіть діток, і не бороніть їм приходити до Мене, бо Царство Небесне належить таким. - Matthew 19:14<BR/><BR/>As our own children learn Ukrainian in school, they are being raised up to serve as Ambassadors for Christ in a new generation.<BR/><BR/>I know a lot of Americans coming to Ukraine have learned Russian and my hat is off to them because Russian is more difficult to learn than Ukrainian. My point in all this was to explain our choice and share a little about why things are the way they are today in Ukraine. Most people in the United States don't know anything about Ukraine or its unique position in regards to language and culture. Language shouldn't be a barrier between people whether Russian, Ukrainian, or English. It should be a means of union and of sharing the Gospel message of Christ and giving glory to God. <BR/><BR/>-GregGreg and Edna Silvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13066968046147405213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-57104736404473638952008-09-11T22:54:00.000-07:002008-09-11T22:54:00.000-07:00So Greg,If you had to use one sentence to describe...So Greg,<BR/><BR/>If you had to use one sentence to describe why you are learning Ukrainian, what would it be?tardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11000141692733603033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32344352.post-76641969590574649412008-09-11T13:34:00.000-07:002008-09-11T13:34:00.000-07:00This is one of the most succinct and straightforwa...This is one of the most succinct and straightforward presentations on the problem that I have ever seen — and with a lovely & sincere personal touch, to boot! May you get back as much as you give in your worthy mission. God bless you for your generous hearts and open minds!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com