The Ukrainian language in the national dimension and in the world space in the 21st century

On the occasion of the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, October 27, a round table on scientific issues «Ukrainian language in the national dimension and in the world space in the 21st century» was solemnly held on the basis of the Faculty of Humanities of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic. The participants were greeted by the vice-rector for scientific work Vadym Shalomeev, dean of the Faculty of Humanities Mykola Dyedkov, dean of the Faculty of Construction, Architecture and Design Vira Savchenko, head of the department of scientific work of students Snizhana Vychuzhanina and the moderator of the festive event – associate professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and General Language Training Halyna Onufrienko.

About 40 1st-3rd year undergraduate students of various specialties and master’s degrees took part in the round table session with creative presentations on current scientific issues, forming teams according to the faculties. Representatives of the GF team began the relay of speeches: students shared the most interesting facts about the Ukrainian language in the world in the 21st century. in the presentation of «Our flower around the world»; comprehensively highlighted the lexicographical, translational and literary work of the great «Guardian» of the Ukrainian word Borys Grinchenko on the eve of the 160th anniversary of his birth; summarized data about Ukrainians abroad – forced migrants and representatives of the diaspora, about famous Ukrainian scientists who were forced to work outside their native country; they talked about their love for Ukrainian culture, the folk song of Kvitoslava Tsysyk, who is called the «golden voice of Ukraine in America»; revealed the history of verbal formulas of polite address to the addressee in the Ukrainian language and their features in various modern discourses. The representatives of the FBAD team took up the baton: they analyzed the unique dialectal flavor of the Ukrainian language, voiced interesting facts about the steppe Ukrainian dialect and illustrated various dialects with audio recordings; researched and illustrated the similarity of Ukrainian and other West Slavic languages, in particular with Slovak, by comparing audio recitations of Shevchenko’s «Testament» in various Slavic languages; revealed the features of the media text and the role of media literacy. The team of FSN students illustrated with examples the new language as a propaganda tool of the aggressor and focused attention on the role of the Ukrainian language as a marker of national identity in wartime conditions. In the presentation by the students of the University of Warsaw, the materials of the scientific research of the concepts «martial law», «state of war», «wartime» and their definitions were explained. In the speech from the FUFCS, the latest media texts were considered in the context of enemy propaganda.

Each of the 15 performances was illustrated by persuasive presentations based on audio recordings, video fragments, graphs, comparative tables, diagrams, photographs, drawings, etc. compiled by the students themselves. The speakers willingly involved everyone present in interactive exercises on the topic of the speech, and the listeners, in turn, were happy to participate in the discussion of the presentations and ask interesting questions. During the scientific communication and for the first time on the new official date of the celebration of the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, a friendly atmosphere reigned, polite, effective and productive communication took place between all the participants of the round table about the Ukrainian language and fluent Ukrainian. The students who made the most successful and convincing presentations to the public will be thanked.

This year’s round table is already the twentieth traditional scientific event at our university for the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, since 2004. And this time, it is marked for the first time with a new date of October 27, approved by the Decree of the President of Ukraine in July 2023. In the conditions of prolonged martial law, the round table was, as it should be, held online and united the participants who are now in different parts of the country and even beyond its borders. The Ukrainian language is now spoken all over the world and is among the top 30 most widely spoken languages. Let’s cherish, study and develop our Ukrainian language and culture with respect for our ancestors, as an example for our contemporaries and in the name of our descendants! A strong language is a strong state!

Impressions of students, direct speech:

Taisia ​​Sergiyenko, GF-313: «On October 27, for the first time in my life, I took part in a round table for the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language. It was an unforgettable and useful experience. Thanks to the high-quality presentations of the participants, I learned a lot of new information. I also participated in various interactive activities with pleasure, it was great to join other people’s work. I especially liked the speech about Kvitka Tsysyk – »the golden voice of Ukraine in America.« I was impressed by the facts from her biography about her love for the Ukrainian language and culture.

I would like to thank my supervisor Halyna Serhiyivna Onufrienko for the opportunity to participate in such an incredible event. Thanks to her, I corrected many mistakes. We constantly communicated in the messenger, she helped me prepare a successful presentation.

I was very inspired by the topic of my speech »Verbal formulas of polite address to the addressee in oral and written communication in the Ukrainian language« and I believe that this is a very important issue in the modern world, and I am glad that I was able to reveal it.

In the world, such measures are considered useful and necessary. And I agree with this, because in a fairly short time I absorbed a large amount of new information and gained a unique experience of communication.»
 

Nataliia Davydenko, BAD-533: «This year I was present at the round table for the first time, so for me this experience is one of those that will be etched in my memory for many years. Such a form of scientific communication as a round table is considered productive precisely because it provides an opportunity for students of higher education to discuss problems together and share their ideas. This is effective because it promotes the development of the skills of attentive listening, thinking, and communication, and the business atmosphere of the events helps to establish partnership relations with management, departments, and students of various groups, courses, and faculties.»
 

Veronika Slyusareva, BAD-533: «I remembered the speech with the presentation »Dialectal flavor of the Ukrainian language« the most. The presentations »Ukrainian diaspora in Canada in a historical dimension« and »Famous Ukrainian scientists who were forced to work outside their native country« were useful and interesting. It is always interesting to learn about the history of one’s own people, and nowadays it is also very useful».
 

Yana Nyzhnyk, UFKS-212: «The round table was very meaningful, we heard a lot of useful information. Nowadays, it is very important to learn more about the Ukrainian language in order to know it perfectly. Therefore, such measures are very important today!»
 

Kyrylo Shmalko, GF-213: «On October 27, 2023, I took part in the round table for the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language for the first time. It was my first experience giving a presentation to a wide audience. Most of all, I wanted to develop my speaking and presentation skills, so I took part in this event.

The preparation was not as difficult as I expected, thanks to our scientific supervisor – Onufrienko Halyna Sergiivna. She very clearly pointed out mistakes, how to avoid them or correct them. I was pleased to work with her.

For me, I found the most interesting presentation to be the one related to the dialects of the Ukrainian language.

As I mentioned, this was my first speaking experience, and I believe that such events help each speaker to improve their skills by observing other participants.
 

Veronika Dovgonozhenko, GF-213: »My experience of participating in the round table as a speaker was the first and very exciting.

The scientific supervisor significantly helped with the editing of the presentation. I was very encouraged by the audience’s interest. As a speaker, I gained useful experience that will help in the future to present various professional topics without obstacles.

In the speeches of other speakers, I really liked the interactive communication. In this way, you can see the interest of the audience.

I liked the presentation about the similarities between the Ukrainian and Slovak languages the most. I find this presentation the most informative, because the information for this presentation was taken from the speaker’s own experience.

I heard a lot of new and interesting things at the conference. I hope to continue participating in round tables«.
 

Darya Syedina, GF-213: »I took part in the round table for the first time. This time she was in the role of a listener. I enjoyed the experience. All speakers were well prepared and gained new knowledge. All presentations were made qualitatively and meaningfully. I learned a lot after this conference. I am sure that I will need this information in the future. I am very grateful for the invitation to the round table on the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language«.
 

Kristina Snijna, BAD-533: »I have not been to round tables before, but I consider this form productive and effective, because it promotes interaction between guests, providing a more open discussion of topics. Also, the round table allows people with different points of view and presentations prepared for different problems to share the acquired knowledge with the participants and to discuss the information provided and received from other presentations.«
 

Danylo Shalya, GF-213: »In my life, it was the first performance with a presentation at a round table for the Day of Ukrainian writing and language. I am glad that I was able to get such a useful experience.

What I remember most is that there were many communicative situations at the online conference, it was very interesting and excited the participants to actively participate.

My speech was prepared together with the scientific director – doctor of philosophy in philological sciences, associate professor Halyna Serhiyivna Onufrienko. She helped edit presentations, choose the right words for the text, and also supported us: «You will do everything! You are young!».

I consider the most successful performance to be the one presented by a girl who has just returned from Slovakia. This presentation had very little text and a lot of audio information and logic tests that appealed to a mainstream audience. She spoke succinctly and without unnecessary words about the similarity of the Ukrainian language to Slovak, and also demonstrated what she knows well about her topic.

Round tables are considered productive and effective all over the world, because it is in this format that all participants can communicate with each other and look at examples of other presentations, thereby understanding what is missing in their own presentation and improving their skills with the help of such experience.«
 

Krystyna Didenko, GF-213: »I was present for the first time at the round table in honor of the Day of Ukrainian writing and language. It was very exciting. The discussion of the importance of language and writing to society turned out to be interesting and educational. Really valuable insights and perspectives.

I liked the opportunity to participate in interactive communication the most. Interaction with other participants, exchange of ideas and opinions made the discussion extremely important and fruitful. All participants had very informative and interesting information.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to be present at such an interesting conference.”