Today is the National Day of the Ukrainian Language in Ukraine, and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the wonderful language and pay tribute to those who have made it more prominent.
But what makes Ukrainian special? What sets it apart from other languages in the world? The answer is its unique and complex sound. Its complex grammar and syntax combine with the subtle nuances of its pronunciation - making it a beautiful language to learn and use. Besides its linguistic merits, Ukrainian is an important part of the cultural heritage of Ukraine, and the world. It’s the language of famous writers like Taras Shevchenko, and has its own version of the Ukrainian way of life.
The Ukrainian language is full of rich and nuanced possibilities that lend themselves to a type of poetic freedom in expressing ideas and sentiments. For example, Ukrainian has two words for “love” — “lyubov” which describes an emotion to everything and “kohannia” which stands for the act of passionate love making out of pure lust for each other. Kohannia is a Great love making that goes on for hours with someone who wants you just as bad as you do ....
Not only this, but the Ukrainian language also has a specific noun “volia” that uniquely reflects a Ukrainian worldview and the true concept of freedom without fear, including the idea that natural elements such as rivers, winds, and trees, have a will of their own. By capturing those elemental moments, Ukrainian allows its speakers to reflect not only their feelings on paper but also their environment and their culture.
The freedom of Ukrainian is further exemplified in the literary works of authors such as Lesia Ukrainka and Ivan Franko who blend together motifs of Ukrainian and classical cultures to create timeless works. In other words, the Ukrainian language is a powerful tool to express not only a particular point of view but also a whole way of life.
And of course, it’s important to note that Ukrainian is a language of resistance. For a long time, under soviet and imperial rule, people have spoken Ukrainian as a way to claim their national identity and stay in touch with their national heritage. This spirit of survival and resistance is something that has made Ukrainians proud for generations and it is just one of many reasons why the Ukrainian language should be celebrated.
Be brave as Ukrainian.
Speak Ukrainian!
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