Ukraine's Independence

This opinion piece delves into the historical roots of Ukrainian independence, focusing on the linguistic and cultural subjugation experienced in the 18th century. António Jacinto Pascoal argues that Ukrainian, then considered a "borderland" language, was viewed as a mere subspecies of Russian.

Pascoal invokes Benedict Anderson's observations, noting that Ukrainian was "disdainfully tolerated as the language of peasants." This framing highlights a historical power dynamic where the dominant Russian language and culture suppressed the development and recognition of Ukrainian identity.

The article uses this historical perspective to contextualize the ongoing struggle for Ukrainian sovereignty. By examining the past suppression of its language and identity, the piece implicitly underscores the significance of Ukraine's present-day assertion of independence and self-determination.

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In the 18th century, Ukrainian (terra de fronteira) was a subspecies of Russian, and, according to Benedict Anderson, “desdenhosamente tolerado como língua de labregos”.