LANGUAGE PORTRAIT OF KYIV IN PERCEPTION BY UKRAINIAN AND FOREIGN STUDENTS (2018-2022)

Abstract

The article analyzes the results of language observation and surveys of Ukrainian and foreign students of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, conducted in 2018, 2019, 2022 with an order to find out whether the bilingual language environments in Kyiv is favorable for the Ukrainian language practice by foreigners. Based on the material of the respondents’ questionnaires (a total of 142), the author traces changes in the awareness of the role of the state language by citizens of Ukraine, the expansion of the scope of its use. With the involvement of data from nationwide and local surveys, a conclusion was made about the increase in the share of the Ukrainian language in official communications, the service sector, information space and a fairly full pace of transition to the state language in everyday communication. The models of linguistic behavior of student youth of Kyiv, who use Russian in communication, are outlined. A language gap between the generations of parents and children was observed (young people communicate with their parents in Russian, and with friends and in public sphere – in Ukrainian). The modern language environment of Kyiv is characterized in the article as not sufficiently comfortable for foreigners, because they are often forced to ask for communication in Ukrainian, to explain that they do not understand Russian. In connection with the long-term perspective of the predominant Ukrainian language in the communicative space of Ukraine in general and in Kyiv in particular, bilingualism is defined as a negative factor for the motivation and success of learning the Ukrainian language for foreigners, which should be taken into account by linguists during the development of relevant educational programs and the creation of the educational text materials. Key words: Ukrainian as a foreign language, Ukrainian as a state language, bilingualism, teaching Ukrainian as a foreign language, language environment.