Ukraine vs. The Ukraine

November 26, 2004 7:23 PM

Ukraine vs. The Ukraine. Is the latter outdated now that Ukraine is an independent nation? Do Ukranians feel strongly about the difference? I hear people refer to it both ways.
posted by hal incandenza to Society & Culture (6 answers total)

Best answer: Ukraine or "The Ukraine"?
posted by Danelope at 7:32 PM on November 26, 2004

Steven Notley's 'Bob the Angry Flower.'
posted by ikkyu2 at 7:34 PM on November 26, 2004

Response by poster: Thanks, Danelope, that clears it up.
posted by hal incandenza at 7:38 PM on November 26, 2004

"A few neanderthal writers in the past have even promoted "the Ukraine" to reflect the original meaning "the borderland" in order to diminish the international political stature of Ukraine." [—empahsis mine]

Stopped reading at that point. The point is valid but if one is going to write about proper usage... I don't know, maybe "neaderthals" is acceptable scholarly usage.

CIA says...
posted by Dick Paris at 5:02 AM on November 27, 2004

My take, for what it's worth.
posted by languagehat at 9:26 AM on November 27, 2004

German has die Türkei and a few others besides.
posted by gimonca at 10:35 AM on November 27, 2004