The 'Language Question' Column
Each week on the Glavcom website, philologist Olha Vasylieva tackles important questions about Ukrainian language usage in her 'Language Question' column. The latest installment addresses a variety of linguistic topics, including the verb 'to distract,' the spelling of loanwords, phrase translations, and church terminology, all based on reader queries. This column serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to refine their command of modern Ukrainian.
One query examined the verb 'to distract' (vidvolikaty). The explanatory dictionary notes a secondary meaning: 'to turn away, to tear someone or something away from someone or something.' Several literary examples illustrate this deeper usage:
'I already dragged Katria away from the house door by force' - Marko Vovchok
'The memory for a moment distracts Khrystyna's thoughts from reality' - M. Stelmakh
The column also clarifies the spelling of several borrowed words. According to current orthography, 'talk show,' 'reality show,' 'force majeure,' and 'time management' are all written as single words. Readers can submit their own language questions to info@glavcom.ua with the subject line 'Language Question' for expert clarification.
Other queries addressed included the word 'holding' (kholduvannia), identified as an 'Ukranglish' term for which the proper Ukrainian equivalent is 'blocking of funds' (blokuvannia koshtiv). Adjectives related to 'slush' (sliota) were listed: sliotavyi, sliotlyvyi, sliotianyi, sliotnyi. Regarding the word 'collapse' (krakh), it was confirmed as present in Ukrainian dictionaries, including those by Krymskyi and Yefremov.
Phrase Translation and Linguistic Nuances
Readers also received answers on phrase translations. For instance, Vitalii Okhrimenko asked about the meanings of the Russian expressions 'to li eshche budet' and 'a podi zh ty,' receiving the Ukrainian equivalents: 'This is not the end yet' and 'Well, look; there you go; see now.' The translation of the Russian word 'liubopytnyi' was discussed, rendered as 'curious about everything.'
The 'Language Question' column remains a crucial source for those seeking to improve their Ukrainian language skills and understand its nuances. Readers can obtain qualified answers to their queries and learn about new linguistic trends.
The column's importance extends beyond answering specific questions; it helps raise the general level of language literacy among Ukrainians. Through this initiative, users can not only solve immediate language problems but also discover new knowledge about Ukrainian, its structure, and its peculiarities. This contributes to preserving linguistic identity and fostering the development of Ukrainian culture as a whole.