Ukrainizing Kyiv

According to the Interfax Ukraine information agency, Kyiv authorities intend to create a special Linguistic Public Reception Room hotline where specialists will give people linguistic assistance with Ukrainian spelling and syntax. The service will be created on the basic of a Ukrainian language department at one of Kyiv’s universities. It is still unknown what will be the forms and methods of the consultants’ work: whether they will only correct minor mistakes or make full translations, and if so, what text volume would be acceptable. Among other measures aimed at developing and strengthening the Ukrainian language in Kyiv, the Kyiv City Administration approved The Ukrainian Language in the Ukrainian Capital complex program to last until 2005. The program envisions considerably broadening the network of bookstores selling Ukrainian literature and press, in part by placing book kiosks near metro stations. The program’s goal is “rendering comprehensive assistance to Kyivans’ spiritual development in terms of both national and international values as well raising the culture of interethnic relations.” Kyiv authorities also intend to promote the Palette of the Mother Tongue information and educational program.