Choosing the standard Ukrainian language: speakers at the geographical crossway

Professional article

Abstract

The process of reforming Ukrainian standard language is related to the coexistence of two historically developed variants of the Ukrainian standard - Eastern and Western. Before Ukraine became an independent state, Ukrainian language policy encouraged the use of the Eastern standard, which is closer to Russian. This Eastern variant was reflected in standard vocabulary and grammar. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Western variant of the language, which had evolved by the first half of the 20 century on the territory, which was a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, is now considered the more prestigious one. Not only researchers and editors of dictionaries and grammars are elaborating of a new Ukrainian standard, but also common speakers are discussing language elements in line with 'folk purism' (by analogy with 'folk etymology').