About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of language use in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, highlighting the tensions surrounding Russian as a language of both identity and opposition.

Russian is the first language of millions of Ukrainians, including many of the country’s frontline troops. But it is also the language of their enemy. Its public use is increasingly restricted by law, with ever more measures to enforce communication in Ukrainian. Ukrainians are allowed to speak Russian in private conversations. But they can be fined for playing a Russian language song in the street, if the singer or composer is a Russian citizen. The state says Russian must be policed because Russia uses the language as a weapon to spread its influence. But in primarily Russian-speaking places such as Odesa, Ukraine’s third-largest city, many are unhappy about the language laws. Tim Whewell reports on the arguments dividing a city under constant Russian bombardment, as one side calls the Russian language a colonial hangover, while the other says cultural diversity is what Ukraine should be fighting for.

People in this episode

Host: Tim Whewell

Topics covered

• language laws
• cultural identity
• Russian influence
• Ukrainian culture
• war impact
• public sentiment

Keywords

• Ukraine
• Russian language
• Odesa
• language laws
• cultural diversity
• Tim Whewell
• war
• public opinion

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Ukraine, Odesa, Russia

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