Language Matters: The Word 'Dobrozvychainist'
The 'Language Matters' column from the Ukrainian outlet Glavcom continues to explore pressing linguistic issues, focusing on the use of the term 'dobrozvychainist' in the draft of Ukraine's new Civil Code. The Verkhovna Rada approved this draft in its first reading, and the word appears 45 times throughout the document. It first surfaces in Article 6 of the draft, which states:
“Private relations are regulated with consideration of dobrozvychainist.”
Notably, the Dictionary of the Ukrainian Language in 20 Volumes (SUM-20) labels 'dobrozvychainist' as 'obsolete.' It also appears in older dictionaries by Krymskyi, Yefremov, and Izyumov. Interestingly, classic Ukrainian authors never used this word, and its likely originator is Ahatanhel Krymskyi.
Other Language Queries
Beyond analyzing 'dobrozvychainist,' the column addresses reader questions about other words. For instance, 'imknuty' is recorded in the academic explanatory dictionary, and Taras Shevchenko employed it in his works. Krymskyi's dictionary also includes 'prymkhuvaty' and 'prymkhaty.' Meanwhile, the words 'peredzamovlennia' (pre-order) and 'perednahrivach' (preheater) are absent from dictionaries, though the forms 'peredvyznachenyi' (predetermined) and 'perednakreslenyi' (pre-outlined) appear in SUM-20.
- The word 'podacha' is considered a synonym for 'podavannia,' and in Hrinchenko's dictionary, it carries the meaning of a quitrent or tribute.
- 'Pakuvannia' is not listed as a synonym for 'upakovka' (packaging), but Krymskyi's dictionary includes 'pakóvannia,' which is also used in state standards.
- 'Rozstroiuvaty' means to disrupt the tuning of a musical instrument, as illustrated by a passage from Oksana Zabuzhko's work:
“Occasionally the door would crack open, and through the gap I would catch a fragment of the cacophony of a mad orchestra, where all instruments were out of tune and all performers deaf.”
Regarding terminology, 'spir' (dispute) belongs to legal concepts, while 'superechka' (argument) is viewed as a form of verbal competition. Stylistic advice from Oleksa Negrebetskyi notes that 'perestaty' should be used with a verb, and 'prypynyty' with a noun.
Readers are invited to submit their language-related questions to info@glavcom.ua with the subject line 'Language Matter.' The 'Language Matters' column runs weekly on Glavcom, encouraging readers to engage with the study of Ukrainian and its nuances. Let's learn the language together, speak and write correctly!
The inclusion of 'dobrozvychainist' in the new Civil Code highlights the importance of linguistic precision in Ukraine's legal framework, potentially shaping how citizens interpret and understand these norms. This debate over word meanings and usage is part of a broader conversation about language policy in the country, where terminology relevance and alignment with modern realities spark interest not only among experts but also the general public.
As the discussion around the term 'dobrozvychainist' unfolds, it raises broader questions about linguistic evolution and usage in contemporary Ukrainian law. For those interested in exploring other linguistic inquiries and their implications, the language column provides insights into various terms and their relevance in modern discourse.