Date of Award
Winter 12-9-2022
Document Type
Honors Project
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
English and Linguistics
Department Chair or Program Director
Jonathan Levin
First Advisor
Paul Fallon
Major or Concentration
Linguistics
Abstract
Ukraine and Russia, both in the international spotlight, have similar national languages that are often misrepresented as being entirely mutually intelligible. While both languages do, in fact, have the same lineage, Ukraine has, over time, developed linguistic independence in a distinct language separate from Russian. The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine has renewed public interest in both the Ukrainian and Russian languages, but there are still stark differences, both socio-politically and linguistically, which are not widely known or appreciated. A brief, historical description of a few lexical, phonological, and orthographic differences between the two languages can illustrate the importance of linguistic independence and diversity. Understanding language use in other cultures that differ from our own helps us expand our view of the world, encouraging us to reflect on the ways language affects geopolitics, how we got to where we are, and what could be done to avoid further conflict.
Recommended Citation
Edwards, Elizabeth, "Russian and Ukrainian: Like Two Drops of Water" (2022). Student Research Submissions. 502.
https://scholar.umw.edu/student_research/502