languages-spoken-in-ukraine

What Languages are Actually Spoken in Ukraine and How to Communicate

Only Ukrainian 🇺🇦58%
Both Ukrainian and Russian30%
Only Russian11%
The survey was conducted from February 1 to 5, 2023, by Sociological group “Rating”.

➡️ Table of Contents:

As a nation with a fair share of tumultuous history, Ukraine’s cultural and linguistic landscape is as diverse as it is fascinating. Understanding the complexities of the linguistic landscape of Ukraine is crucial not only for linguists but also for anyone seeking to visit or do business in the country. 

Languages Spoken in Ukraine

The Ukrainian language is undoubtedly the most widely spoken in Ukraine. It is an East Slavic language with a rich history dating back to the 9th century. Today, Ukrainian is the official language of Ukraine, and the government has promoted its use since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Legislation

On April 25th, 2019, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (the Parliament) passed a law called “On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language”. The Constitution guarantees the state status of the Ukrainian language, but specific rules for its use in various spheres of life must be established by law.

Until 2012, this was done through the Soviet law “On Languages in the Ukrainian SSR”. The new law adopted on April 25th does not infringe on the rights of national minorities Law “On National Minorities”.

Foreign languages and languages of national minorities can be used freely in private conversations, religious ceremonies, foreign language education, scientific publications, trademarks registered in Ukraine, and in the cultural activities of national minorities.”

In certain professions, such as border guards, law enforcement officers, and doctors, who deal with individuals who do not speak Ukrainian, the use of foreign languages and minority languages is allowed.

Ukrainian language: history and development

Since the fall of the communist regime, there has been a surge of interest in the origin and history of the Ukrainian language. Many Ukrainians associate the concept of the Ukrainian language with its modern literary form that they hear daily on the radio and television, which is taught in schools and used to print books and newspapers.

There is no doubt about the origin of the modern Ukrainian literary language. Writer and poet Ivan Kotlyarevsky founded it with his works “Eneida” and “Natalka Poltavka”, and Taras Shevchenko, with his book ‘Kobzar’, played a crucial role in its development. 

They wrote their works in the folk language based on the Ukrainian Middle Dnieper dialects. Before this, there were two literary languages in Ukraine: Church Slavonic, borrowed from the Bulgarians along with the adoption of Christianity, and Old Ukrainian, a written and literary language used from the 13th to 18th centuries.

eneida
Image courtesy: uartlib.org

Local linguistic features heavily influenced old Ukrainian written language. It was used for secular purposes, such as in state administration, princely offices, chronicles, etc.

Written in Kyiv in the 11th- early 12th centuries, “The Tale of Bygone Years” is a significant chronicle of the millennial Ukraina-Rus period. The text contains a considerable number of words from the Ukrainian colloquial language.

“The Tale of Bygone Years” was written by Nestor the Chronicler (1056-1114), a monk from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. It is used as a primary source for studying ancient Ukrainian history. 

Image courtesy: Wikipedia

When exploring the origins of the Ukrainian language, it is not the ancient or modern literary forms that we seek but rather the folk speech and dialects from which it emerged. Those unique phonetic, grammatical, and lexical features ultimately became defining traits of the Ukrainian language.

Historically, the Ukrainian language has been closely associated with the ancestral home of the Slavs. This is because most of the territory that constitutes modern-day Ukraine was inhabited by Slavic tribes.

While other regions in Eastern Europe were predominantly populated by non-Slavic groups such as the Balts and Finno-Ugric peoples.

What Language Ukrainians Speak at Home

58% of Ukrainians speak only Ukrainian at home. These are survey data of the Sociological Group Rating commissioned by the Center for Analysis and Sociological Research (CSGR) of the International Republican Institute.

Only Ukrainian58%
Both Ukrainian and Russian30%
Only Russian11%

According to survey of February 2023, 58% of Ukrainians speak only Ukrainian at home, while 30% speak both Ukrainian and Russian, and 11% speak only Russian. Of those who speak only Ukrainian, 7% recently switched to it recently, while only 1% of those who speak only Russian at home have switched to it recently.

The survey was conducted from February 1 to 5, 2023, using the computer-aided telephone interview (CATI) method, based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers, and was conducted throughout Ukraine, excluding the occupied territories of Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. A total of 2,000 residents aged 18 and older were surveyed.

Another survey from the Ilko Kucheriv Foundation for Democratic Initiatives reported that the percentage of Ukrainians speaking Ukrainian daily rose from 64% in 2021 to 71% in 2022. 

Percentage of people who speak Ukrainian daily in different regions of Ukraine.

In the western region, 95.6% of people speak Ukrainian daily, while in the central region, the figure is 78.3%. In contrast, in the south and east, only 34.6% and 40.3% speak Ukrainian daily. The survey also observed that the use of the language of the Russian language has decreased by almost 10%.

It is also worth noting that Ukraine is home to many dialects of Ukrainian and Russian, each with its unique characteristics and variations. These dialects can vary greatly depending on the region, and some can be difficult to understand for non-native speakers.

Minority Languages and Their Significance in Ukraine

Ukraine is home to representatives from over 100 different nations, with each ethnic minority group comprising less than 1% of the total population. The most populous minority groups in Ukraine include Russians, Jews, Belarusians, Moldovans, Bulgarians, Poles, Hungarians, Romanians, Greeks, Tatars, Armenians, Roma, and others.

The largest ethnic minority in Ukraine is the Russian community.

Ukraine has recently passed a new law on national minorities, which the European Commission has identified as one of the seven prerequisites for starting negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the EU.

The legislation on national minorities in Ukraine needed an update, as the previous law “On National Minorities of Ukraine,” was written 30 years ago. 

As of April 20, 2023, the Ombudsman has discussed the new law with experts from the Venice Commission. Currently, the Venice Commission is preparing an opinion on the Law of Ukraine “On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine” and is expected to present it in early June of this year.

Communicating in Ukraine

Language Barrier: Speaking English in Ukraine

Ukraine falls behind other European countries regarding the population’s readiness to converse in English. The country’s geographical distance from the European Union and other factors have contributed to subpar language proficiency rates. 

According to the 2022 EF EPI edition, Ukraine ranks 35th out of 111 countries, indicating a moderate level of proficiency in the English language.

Research indicates that most English speakers in Ukraine are employed in the IT sector, particularly those between the ages of 18 and 25. This level of proficiency still allows for moderately good communication in English with many international partners and businesses.

Do Locals Speak English in Ukraine?

English is not widely spoken by locals in Ukraine, especially outside of major tourist areas and cities. Those who work in the tourism industry or other international businesses in Ukraine often have a good command of English. 

If you are planning to visit Ukraine, you might wonder how easy it is to communicate with the locals using English. But how easy is it to get around and talk to the locals using English? Is English widely understood and spoken in Ukraine? How good are the English skills of the Ukrainian people? 

The level of English proficiency in Ukraine varies depending on the region and the person’s occupation. English is generally not widely spoken outside of major tourist areas and cities.

However, people who work in the tourism industry or other international businesses often have a good command of English. This is because they regularly interact with visitors from all over the world and must be able to communicate effectively in English.

Additionally, many international companies operating in Ukraine require their employees to have a certain level of English proficiency.

People over 40 in Ukraine are unlikely to know English. Because they were born during the Soviet era, they did not have the opportunity to learn the language in school properly. 

In rural areas, the percentage of people who can speak English is generally much lower compared to those living in urban centres. However, younger generations tend to have better English skills due to its widespread inclusion in the school curriculum. 

Tips for Communicating in Ukraine for Non-native Speakers

Due to the language barrier and cultural differences, communicating in Ukraine can be challenging for foreigners. The Ukrainian language is a Slavic language, which may be difficult to learn for those who are not familiar with the language family.

On top of that, Ukrainians use the Cyrillic alphabet, which has letters and sounds different from the Latin alphabet. This is where Kyiv private tours can be a game changer for travelers. With a personal guide at your side, you have someone to help bridge the language gap and gain local insight into the rich history and culture of the capital.

Here are some valuable tips for non-native speakers on how to improve their communication when in Ukraine:

  • Learn some basic Ukrainian or Russian phrases before you go. Even a few words can go a long way in building rapport and showing that you are trying to communicate.
  • Download a translator app on your phone to assist with more complex conversations.
  • Be patient and willing to repeat yourself if necessary when you speak English. It can take time for locals to understand your accent and grasp what you are trying to say.
  • Consider hiring a local interpreter or guide in Kyiv to help navigate language barriers. This will also give you a deeper understanding of the culture and history of the country.
  • Be respectful of the local language and culture, and avoid being dismissive or rude if you encounter difficulties communicating.

About the author:

Victoria Deshko Avatar

Dear Reader! My name is Victoria and I’m a private tour guide in Kyiv and fingers and lens behind this blog. In case you feel for that, do not hesitate to contact me via email at myukraine4u@gmail.com. You can also check out the blog on my website, www.bestkievguide.com, for more interesting posts.

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2 thoughts on “What Languages are Actually Spoken in Ukraine and How to Communicate”

  1. Props to the writer for putting it all together and giving us a glimpse into the roots of Ukrainian. Good stuff!

  2. I never realized how interesting the origins of Ukrainian are. It’s intriguing to see how different linguistic elements have shaped the development of the language over time. Cheers to learning something new!

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