Why study Ukrainian?
Today Ukrainian is the state language in Ukraine, thriving and expanding like never before. It is used in government, education, business, entertainment, the Internet and all types of media. More and more of Ukraine’s 46 million people are switching from Russian. Since the Orange Revolution, Ukraine has energetically stepped onto the world stage.
Besides discovering its own historical and cultural layers, which were poorly studied under the Soviets, Ukraine is also actively pursuing integration into Europe, while further reforming the economy and expanding business contacts. In 2008 Ukraine was accepted into the World Trade Organization. Canada and the United States have recognized Ukraine’s unique strategic position in Europe and in relation to Russia.
Foreign governments and their diplomatic corps, as well as international businesses firms, have need for knowledgeable employees who are skilled in Ukrainian language and culture. Students with knowledge of Ukrainian now have new opportunities both in Canada and within Ukraine. Business, law firms, and government agencies express interest in people who know Ukrainian. Whether you want to teach English as a second language, travel in Ukraine, work or study there, knowing the language and culture is indispensable. (Visit Life Experiences to obtain a perspective from former students.)
Inasmuch as Ukrainian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, command of this language can be of assistance when learning Belarusan, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Russian, Rusyn, and Serbian. And, being a bridge language, Ukrainian can also help you learn some of the West Slavic languages, such as Polish, Czech, Slovak, etc. (see map of the Slavic World).
Ukrainian can be your passport to a career in one of many academic disciplines, such as history, linguistics, literature, education, sociology, political science, geography, etc. It will facilitate access to a vast and vibrant cultural landscape that spans both Europe and Eurasia.
