Reflecting on the linguistic features of a portrait of contemporary university students of technical institutions, it is useful to identify some very important issues. I don't want to complain about the political situation in the country, but the attitudes and actions of many of our politicians, officers, employees negatively affect the state language creation. Note that even in the top national universities many professors communicate with students and teach subjects in Russian.
Having conducted an anonymous survey of 87 students from my university (sample, of course, unrepresentative, but the survey results, in my opinion, to a certain extent reflect the main trends), I got the following results: while 69% consider Ukrainian their native language, only 36% use it during their studies. The survey also showed that 91% of students supported the statement "The Ukrainian language is one of the attributes of statehood", 5% were undecided, 4% - neither for nor against, and it's nice, do not agree with this statement - 0%. Communication in Ukrainian is considered a very prestigious only 14%, rather prestigious - 50% rather non-prestigious - 32% and non-prestigious - 4%. Simultaneously, the assertion that the prestige of Ukrainian language must be higher support 77% and 33% do not support. With the idea that "raising the status of Russian language may result in exacerbation of inter-ethnic relations in Ukraine," agreed 41% of respondents, respectively, 59% disagreed. Also, students were offered a question: "What language do you prefer to study literature in your specialty?" Respondents were split evenly.
As shown by the survey, the linguistic situation of students characterizes Ukrainian-Russian bilingualism. Although the majority of young people respect and accept the Ukrainian language, only a small part willingly speak it. Why is it that even knowing Ukrainian, we speak in Russian? I think the reason lies in the fact that we have not got rid of the inferiority complex that colonizers nurtured in us. Wherever I go, whatever read, whoever spoke - always the Russian language dominates. I don't want to make impression, that I hate Russian. But do not we lose a human, abandoning ourselves?
Characterizing linguistic portrait of the modern student, it I will single out four types. Students Russes - a youth who speaks only Russian. At home, at the university, in a circle of friends. In exceptional cases, they use so-called "azirivkoyu", revealing a very low level of Ukrainian speech culture. Students chameleons can talk not only Russian but also Ukrainian, although the latter is not very good. But amid students Russes, they look worthy and deserving of respect at least for the fact that trying to speak their language. Students Surzha-language is a bizarre mix. The main difference between the students patriots is that no matter how much languges they do know their own native is flawless. When these young people speak Ukrainian, you begin to understand the beauty and sonority of our native language. With these I want to communicate and enjoy the conversation. Unfortunately, these students in our society exception rather than the rule.
Remarkably, for each of the aforementioned four types are characterized by the use of profanity. Of course, it will adversely affect the Ukrainian language. Actually, it is a need to develop speech culture of our youth. So to change the world - start with yourself!
Arthur Budim, student FASS