Ukraine

[Stephen Bobick]

  >As a longtime speaker of American English, I am certain that, to my ear
  >at least, "the Ukraine" lacks any contemptuous connotations whatsoever.

As a longtime speaker of American English, and an American of Ukrainian
descent, I am certain that, to my ear, "the Ukraine" *does* have
contemptuous connotations.

  >The same goes for "the Bronx" as opposed to "Brooklyn," or "the
  >Ivory Coast" as opposed to LUxemburg, and so on.

The Bronx was never a part of the USSR.  The Bronx does not have to face
the possible forcible reintegration into a new Russian union...

  >It is annoying to
  >switch to "Ukraine" just because it is annoying to change the way
  >one speaks, not because of any political overtones. E. Tall

It is annoying to ask people not to use a certain name, and give good
justification why, and have them say, in effect, "sorry that's too much
trouble, I'll just stick with what I've used all along."

Personally I find it annoying to call "mailmen" "mail carriers" but I do
so out of respect for the sensibilities of others!


-- Stepan



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