Big events in the Ukraine today, with more possibly to come soon. The accusations on both sides are flying so thick and fast that it's difficult to know what to think; all one can hope is that there's a peaceful and just outcome, whatever that means. Ukraine is an important country that had about as interesting (i.e. dreadful) a Twentieth Century as it was possible to have; it deserves the chance to become a dull, 'ordinary' place in the Twenty-First. It would be a tragedy if it became another Belarus, or, for that matter, Russia.
Not the most confident of Thanksgiving sendoffs, but the best I can manage today. See you all next week.
Posted by Alan Allport at November 24, 2004 10:52 AMThere was a large (pro-Yushchenko) demonstration in front of the Ukrainian consulate here in Toronto last night. I can tell you that these type of shenanigans in this election have been dreaded for some time in the Ukrainian community here, and in Ukraine too, I suspect. My friend's father-in-law is currently over there as an observer, and he seemed to confirm the allegations of fraud after the first round of voting. It is a pivotal time in Kiev at the moment, and I would wager that it will end with Yushchenko in office.
And Alan, I hate to be a pedant, but it's not *the* Ukraine.
Cheers,
paul
And Alan, I hate to be a pedant, but it's not *the* Ukraine.
Thank goodness, something pointless that I can feel confidently dogmatic about! The OED defines "Ukrainian" as "Of or pertaining to the Ukraine ... a native or inhabitant of the Ukraine ... the Slavonic language spoken in the Ukraine". I stand my ground.
Posted by: Alan Allport at November 24, 2004 11:22 AMI can just hear all the kids in the school yard going "ooooooooh!".
;)
Posted by: Alan Hogue at November 24, 2004 02:29 PMMay I timidly suggest, alan, that the OED may not be the authority on this matter? Either way, what I do know is that most Ukrainians here find the "the" annoying. One of the reasons for this is that the "the" is used in Russian (indeed, some suspect that this is the source of the English usage) in a condescending way, suggesting that "the Ukraine" is merely an area, like the midlands or the algarve, rather than a independent and distinct nation of people.
I'm sure you'll excuse the pedantry - after all, I learned it from you! ;-)
Yours, from the Canada,
paul.
Nice to hear from you, Paul, & good luck to your friend's father.
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at November 24, 2004 07:17 PM-in-law, I mean.
(There being pedants about, I guess I'd better get this right.)
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at November 24, 2004 07:18 PMHere's Timothy Garton Ash on what's at stake in the Ukraine vote protests.
Posted by: Martha Bridegam at November 25, 2004 01:40 AMA quick clarification: There are no articles in Russian. The "the" I referred to actually from the French that was popular in the Tsarist circles, and is the suspected (by some) source of the English usage, for the above stated reasons.
Clear as mud?
paul.
Posted by: Paul Sebastianelli at November 25, 2004 06:31 PM