Ukrainian Language as Sociocultural and Legal Phenomenon

Abstract

The purpose of article is to conduct a scientific and theoretical study of the emergence, development and current state of the Ukrainian language as sociocultural and legal phenomenon. The methodology of the study is the following methods of scientific knowledge: general scientific (formal-logical, method of analysis and synthesis) and special-legal (comparative law, formal-legal). These methods provide the opportunity to reveal the peculiarities of the Ukrainian language through the prism of sociocultural phenomenon and consider the legal problems of the language policy of the state. Scientific novelty consists in carrying out a comprehensive study of socio-cultural and legal aspects of the Ukrainian language in the context of its preservation and overcoming the language crisis. Conclusion. State Ukrainian language is the language of citizenship, a guarantee of preservation of the national identity of the Ukrainian people, the basis of the formation of Ukrainian statehood. Modern Ukrainian society is characterized by many different contradictions, among which – the issue of bilingualism, giving the Russian language the status of the second state language. In our opinion, this leads to the distortion of national consciousness and aggravation of the linguistic situation in the country. On this basis, Ukraine needs “wise”, well-balanced policy that would ensure the functioning and protection of the national language and, at the same time, ensure the support of languages of ethnic minorities. In many ways, the success of consolidation of the Ukrainian society depends on the extent to which the state language is supported and respected by different societies and each individual in particular. Moreover, the effective implementation and realization of linguistic legislation, of course, will depend on the program of legal development of the language. Therefore, today it is very relevant to adopt the linguistic law that would direct the system of appropriate state measures to establish and introduce an effective mechanism for the dissemination of the Ukrainian language as a state language in all spheres of public life.