VITEBSK, 30 January (BelTA) – The expansion of the use of the Belarusian language is only possible given there is such a need. Language preferences cannot be pressed on people, Vadim Devyatovsky, the chairman of the Novopolotsk organization Belaya Rus, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives' permanent commission on healthcare, physical education, family and youth affairs, told BelTA as he commented on Belarusian President's meeting with journalists on 29 January.
According to Vadim Devyatovsky, once when discussing the issue of preserving the national language with a group of young people he heard someone calling for translating everything into Belarusian. “I asked them then: Are you ready to speak and write in Belarusian? Do you have enough knowledge and skill? The answer was obvious. I personally love the Belarusian language. It is a sign of our identity, our legacy, it is a part of our culture, an unquestionable asset. People, however, who have been brought up in the Russian-speaking environment cannot start speaking Belarusian in an instant. At the same time no one prohibits us to read Belarusian books, listen to the Belarusian-language radio, write and speak in Belarusian, thus, improving oneself and preserving the uniqueness of our culture.”
Pressure is inadmissible in what concerns the choice of the language. There are two state languages in Belarus and every Belarusian citizen has the right to use any of them. “Moreover, Belarus is home to people of many ethnicities who have the right to use their native language in communication. Language preferences cannot be forced on people. It is not right to support one language and restrict the use of the other. Such attitude will inevitably cause strong feelings. We should avoid sharp decisions on this issue and should be guided by people's needs,” Vadim Devyatovsky said.
The society has been showing a growing interest in the Belarusian language which shows the uniqueness and unity of the nation. Vadim Devyatovsky stressed that he has been closely following the Belarusian language topic. For example, a competition of reciters will be held in February. Its participants recite only Belarusian works. “The competition will be held among school students of Novopolotsk and Polotsk District. The first competition several years ago drew just 30 people. This year it has gathered 130 participants,” he said.
According to Vadim Devyatovsky, once when discussing the issue of preserving the national language with a group of young people he heard someone calling for translating everything into Belarusian. “I asked them then: Are you ready to speak and write in Belarusian? Do you have enough knowledge and skill? The answer was obvious. I personally love the Belarusian language. It is a sign of our identity, our legacy, it is a part of our culture, an unquestionable asset. People, however, who have been brought up in the Russian-speaking environment cannot start speaking Belarusian in an instant. At the same time no one prohibits us to read Belarusian books, listen to the Belarusian-language radio, write and speak in Belarusian, thus, improving oneself and preserving the uniqueness of our culture.”
Pressure is inadmissible in what concerns the choice of the language. There are two state languages in Belarus and every Belarusian citizen has the right to use any of them. “Moreover, Belarus is home to people of many ethnicities who have the right to use their native language in communication. Language preferences cannot be forced on people. It is not right to support one language and restrict the use of the other. Such attitude will inevitably cause strong feelings. We should avoid sharp decisions on this issue and should be guided by people's needs,” Vadim Devyatovsky said.
The society has been showing a growing interest in the Belarusian language which shows the uniqueness and unity of the nation. Vadim Devyatovsky stressed that he has been closely following the Belarusian language topic. For example, a competition of reciters will be held in February. Its participants recite only Belarusian works. “The competition will be held among school students of Novopolotsk and Polotsk District. The first competition several years ago drew just 30 people. This year it has gathered 130 participants,” he said.
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