Ukraine/The Ukraine

[Robert Chandler]

Thank you, Michele! You have a gift for saying important things with a wonderful freshness and clarity.

R.

On 20 Jun 2014, at 09:36, Michele A Berdy <maberdy at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> ... some Ukrainians took it into their heads that the use of the article marks their country as a colony, not a real country, that it's a sign of disrespect.
> 
> As a native speaker of English, I never knew that. The first I heard of it was when the Ukrainians started complaining. Things may be different on the other side of the pond, but over here, no disrespect is intended or perceived.
> 
> That's what sometimes makes this difficult. I always used the phrase "to gyp someone" and had no idea that it was from the word "Gypsy" and perceived as a slur. It's hard to change our speech patterns, especially when we didn't intend to offend, didn't know we were, and don't really see the point. I just figure that everyone has the right to be called what they prefer. 
> 
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Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD

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