Ukraine has always been a very colorful country. Her traditions are similar to Russian, but have their own, special flavor. Those who managed to visit the country in the late 90s - early 2000s will forever remember the friendly Ukrainians with their vodka and delicious borsch.
What is right - "in Ukraine" or "in Ukraine"? I would like to talk about this topic.
Is there a problem?
It is no secret that this problem entered the political level at the end of 2013. Previously, it did not exist as such. The Ukrainian government proves that speaking about the country, it is necessary to use the preposition "in". Russian philologists do not see the problem, and argue that in Russia there is such a tradition - to use the preposition "on" when it comes to Ukraine. And it happened not in a year - two, but historically. It is convenient for Russian people to say "in Ukraine", what is the problem here?
Convenience by convenience, but is such use right? How to say - "in Ukraine" or "in Ukraine"?
A bit about literature
It would seem, where does literature refer when it comes to the correct use of the preposition? Very much so. If not for political publicity, then nothing terrible would have happened. Even the Ukrainian poet, Taras Shevchenko, wrote in his famous poem.
Yak die, then cheer
Mene at the grave
Middle step wide
On the Ukrainian Mile ...
He asked the poet to bury him in Ukraine. Not in Ukraine, oddly enough.
However, Gogol has lines that relate to our topic:
There is no order in Ukraine: colonels and Yesauls bite together like dogs.
And here the preposition "in" is used. What should we do, not poets and writers, but ordinary people who asked themselves the question: “in Ukraine” or “in Ukraine”? Let's continue the conversation further. We get to the truth in the end.
Words of the philologist
The question of how to speak correctly - "in Ukraine" or "in Ukraine", concerns not only ordinary inhabitants. Very competent gives an answer to it professor - philologist M. Krongauz.
He believes that in the Russian version they use the preposition "on". And at the same time, Russian people admit that in the Ukrainian version of the Russian language the preposition "in" is used in relation to the country. Mr. Krongauz compares Ukraine with the United States. Indeed, in Russian there is the word "Negro". And it is used both in colloquial speech and in literature. But in America, this word is replaced by completely different, similar in meaning. Nevertheless, Russian people, inside their own country, continue to use the word "Negro". But hardly any of them would come up with the idea to say so when they ended up in the USA.
Turning to Rosenthal
If you refer to the legendary linguist, then the choice of how true - "in Ukraine" or "in Ukraine" - should not even arise. The combination "in Ukraine" arose under the influence of the Ukrainian language.
Although many years have passed, some language norms have changed, but the authority of Mr. Rosenthal is still adamant.
And yet how?
We have already talked about philologists and linguists. When the answer to the question will be, how to say - "in Ukraine" or "in Ukraine"? Now it will be.
The preposition "c" is used when it comes to administrative-geographical names. For example, in the city of Sochi, in the city of Moscow, in Belarus. So, the correct colloquial option is "in Ukraine", not "in Ukraine".
Summarize
The main goal of the article is to tell the reader how to say the right thing: “in Ukraine” or “in Ukraine”. We highlight the main aspects:
In Russia, they are used to using the preposition "on" in colloquial speech concerning Ukraine.
According to the rules, if we are talking about administrative-geographical names, then we need the pretext "in".
Following the rules, you need to say "in Ukraine."
Conclusion
We told readers about the rules of speaking regarding the prepositions "in" and "on." What would you like to add?
Saying "in Ukraine" is a habit. And it's hard to break the habits developed over the years. Therefore, no one forbids the use of the usual pretext. But only in colloquial speech, and within the borders of his country.
As you know, they don’t go to a foreign monastery with their own charter. Once in Ukraine, it would be prudent to use the pretext "in" familiar to its inhabitants.