The 'Language Question' Feature in Glavcom
In the weekly 'Language Question' column for the publication Glavcom, linguist Olha Vasylieva explores the intricacies of the Ukrainian language, addressing reader inquiries. A recent installment provided answers to ten specific linguistic queries, alongside a detailed examination of the grammatical rules for fractional numerals. This column highlights the ongoing, lively debates about language standards in Ukraine, reflecting a society keenly aware of its linguistic identity.
Readers are invited to submit their own language questions to info@glavcom.ua with the subject line 'Language Question'. Recent queries tackled in the column have included:
- A question from Oksana Uretii regarding the origins of the names Oksana and Kseniia;
- An inquiry from Yuliia Polumysok about the correct usage of 'ne po temi' (off-topic) versus 'ne za temoiu';
- Questions from other readers concerning the use of various terms and adjectives.
The Fractional Numeral Debate
Significant attention in the article is devoted to the correct forms of fractional numerals. Professor Kateryna Horodenska, a former member of the Orthography Commission, advocated for the form 'dvi tretykh'. She noted that the current 'Ukrainian Orthography', published in 2007, recommends using the form 'dvi treti'. Kateryna Horodenska also provided examples of proper usage:
'A quorum is present. Two thirds of the members of the specialized academic council are in attendance; The academic degree of Candidate of Philological Sciences is awarded if three fourths of the specialized academic council members present at the meeting voted in favor.' Kateryna Horodenska
In his critique, translator and editor Oleksa Nehrebeckyi commented on the paragraph concerning the declension of fractional numerals in the current orthography. He remarked that 'this is how, slowly and gradually, worms hollow out a living tree of the Ukrainian language, turning it into a rotten stump.' These discussions surrounding orthographic norms underscore the significance of linguistic issues in contemporary Ukrainian society.
Furthermore, the column addressed several other questions, such as:
- The terms 'holovokruzhennia' (dizziness) and 'zapamorochennia' (lightheadedness);
- The adjectives 'auty-stychnyi' or 'autychnyi' (autistic);
- Terms related to 'rozstrochka' (installment plan), 'vidstrochka' (deferment), and 'rozterminuvannia'.
Specifically, the word 'rozterminuvannia' is absent in the Ukrainian language, while 'vidstrochka' is marked as 'colloquial' in modern dictionaries.
Thus, the 'Language Question' column continues to serve as a vital platform for discussing current linguistic issues in Ukraine, encouraging readers to develop a deeper understanding of the Ukrainian language and its norms. In the broader context of national discourse, such features play a crucial role not only in clarifying rules but also in shaping the linguistic consciousness of society, which is particularly important for the preservation and development of the language. By answering reader questions, the column helps maintain linguistic culture and prevent communication barriers in everyday life.