LIBERAL-HYBRID MODEL OF LANGUAGE ISSUE IN THE LAW OF UKRAINE «ON ENSURING THE FUNCTIONING OF UKRAINIAN LANGUAGE AS A STATE LANGUAGE»

Abstract

The language issue in Ukraine is not a matter of communication, but a matter of power and national existence. The centuries-old status of Ukraine as a colony has led to the colonial position of the language of titular nation, however, despite the unsurmountable socio-political circumstances, it was the language that replaced the lack of sovereignty and provided conditions for the revival of Ukrainians as ethnonation. Scientific consideration of the adopted language law is of a primary importance in the de-occupation of the country. Our aim is to reveal the essence of the law «On ensuring the functioning of the Ukrainian language as a state language», adopted on April 25, 2019, as an indicative product of the liberal-hybrid model of language policy in Ukraine. For this purpose we define the following objectives: to show the liberal-hybrid essence of the basic articles of the law; to prove the secondary nature of language law due to systematic reference to other laws; to interpret the final and transitional provisions as a way of delaying the operation of law for years. This law does not provide the Ukrainian language with its state status, but, on the contrary, invents a variety of loopholes to restrict it (in particular, the so-called quotas establishment); that is revealed: 1)in the content of the basic articles; 2) in the secondary nature of language law due to systematic reference to other laws; 3) in the adjournment of separate articles of the law and punishment for violation. This is evidenced by the three basic spheres of the nation's existence: education and science, culture and information, state and governance. A new form of oppression against the Ukrainian language in favour of languages of national minorities is invented in the law. The law requires reporting to the society on its true analysis and immediate amendments.