Urgent problems and perspectives of the national Ukrainian language functioning

Abstract

The article discovers actual problems of the Ukrainian language functioning and developing as of the national state language during the wartime, specifies perspective aspects of the national language safety for the future. On the one hand, our national culture causes increasing concern in the world, encourages learning Ukrainian to stand in solidarity with the nation courageously fighting against Russian invaders, reinforcing considerable part of the Ukrainian society to national values, rejecting Russian as a hostile means of communication. On the other hand, there have been noticeable mitigation of firm positions in the language policy on different levels, some tolerance to russification, unpretentious attitude to the use of Russian in media, in official communication etc. And this is occurring on the background of linguicide, denationalization on the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian Federation army. In the publication the attention is focused on the dissemination of the Ukrainian language in Europe and in the world in the past 2022, relevance of the national legislation. There has been made an emphasis on the necessity of systemic legal protection of the national language with a wide range of influence functions with punishment, among others, when the current laws are not fulfilled.  We outline linguistic problems and ways to resolve them, in particular, we consider it important to expand horizons of Ukrainian as a foreign language abroad. On time is functioning of effective Ukrainian-speaking front with the use of all possible media resources as well as realization of wide inventory of the national onymicon. It is recommended to consider Ukrainian latynytsya, translation studies, books publishing, editor institution, slovnykarstvo, documentary science, linguistic expertise, moderate purism, folklore etc. We emphasize the necessity to create «Novy Ukrainsky Pravopys» – the only literary standard of orthography and punctuation for all Ukrainians in the world. It is important to change the third sentence in article 10 of the Constitution, return to initial recommendations of the National Commission of the national language standards concerning the exam on the Ukrainian language proficiency for state officials and those acquiring citizenship, make international Ukrainian rewards, festivals, competitions prestigious and the Ukrainian language must be heard on the platforms of the most authoritative and influential international institutions. It is absolutely necessary to expand and establish Ukrainian-speaking impact in such spheres: on all levels of state power institutions, in the Armed forces of Ukraine, in territory defense forces, national guard, border troops, customs, law enforcement agencies, national police, courts, prosecutor’s office, justice, military establishments, education, science, media, economy, business, tourism, catering and beauty industries. Ukrainian outlook is to dominate in historical realm, museum and archive affairs, cinema, theatre, art, in religious communities etc.