**Ukraine Takes a Stand: Standardizing the Spelling of Foreign Places**
Since gaining independence in 1991, Ukraine has been urging foreigners to spell its capital city as Kyiv, not Kiev. This campaign is part of a broader push by the country to use Ukrainian pronunciation and spelling for names of people and places, rather than Russian.
Now, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says that a new initiative will examine how the Ukrainian language describes foreign locations while at home. The goal is to standardize and promote a Ukrainian spelling system. This initiative will be led by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and aims to “return names of Ukrainian origin to foreign geographical places in national use.”
**Respecting Ukraine’s Sovereignty**
Sybiha notes that using Ukrainian origin names is not only a preference, but also enshrined in the country’s legislation. He emphasizes that this issue is primarily about respect – self-respect as a state, and being respected by others. The minister writes that Ukrainians will invite public debate and suggestions for Ukrainian spellings of foreign places.
**A Matter of Language and Identity**
Language has long been a cultural battleground, with Ukraine facing suppression from Russian authorities over the centuries. This initiative is not just about standardizing spellings, but also about reclaiming Ukraine’s linguistic and cultural heritage.
Commenters on social media have praised the announcement, with many suggesting that foreign places should be referred to by their Ukrainian origin names. One popular suggestion was to begin referring to Russia as Moskoviia, a historical name for Russia widely used before 1721. This change would acknowledge the country’s origins in Kyivan Rus.
**Standardizing Spellings: A Step Towards Self-Respect**
The new initiative is an important step towards standardizing spellings and promoting Ukrainian language usage. By doing so, Ukraine can take control of its linguistic identity and show the world that it respects itself as a state. This move will also give Ukrainians a sense of pride in their cultural heritage.
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