우크라이나 포로셴코 정부의 언어정책: 법률을 중심으로

In recent years Poroshenko government and Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine are passing a series of laws and preparing draft amendments in order to promote the use of Ukrainian language. The laws and drafts contain clauses that limit the scope of usage of national minority languages, including Russian, and indigenous people’s languages. The problematic law “On the Principles of the State Language Policy” of 2012 is still valid, however, legislators are trying to weaken its impact on Ukrainian society. It is essential to understand the contents and meaning of these laws, since it is quite possible that the similar draft bills will be passed during the term of President Poroshenko. This article scrutinizes the revised clauses on languages of the laws “On the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine”, “On the Television and Radio Broadcasting”, “On the Principles of the State Language Policy”, “On Culture” and “On Education.” These laws are expected to increase the role of national Ukrainian language, especially in the sectors of broadcasting and education. Among the amendments mentioned previously, “On Education” became the center of controversy in Ukraine and even abroad. According to the law, pupils from fifth grade and students of higher education are obliged to study subjects in Ukrainian language at the educational institutions. However, there exist numbers of national minority people who communicate only in their national minority language and do not acquire enough knowledge of Ukrainian required in the classroom. “On Education” showed that national minority languages and indigenous people’s languages, as well as Russian, may be sources of conflict in Ukraine. This theme needs further study and discussion