Language law continues to be violated in Odesa region, but the situation is improving

In 2024, Taras Kremin, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, received 429 complaints from residents of Odesa Oblast about violations of language legislation. This region ranked second in terms of the number of complaints after Kyiv.

According to the language ombudsman, in total, more than 2,300 appeals were recorded in Ukraine last year, which is 37% less than in 2023.

The most common complaints are about the lack of a Ukrainian-language version of websites, the language of service in stores and establishments, as well as outdoor advertising and signage. These issues accounted for almost 70% of all complaints.

According to the ombudsman, the decrease in the number of complaints indicates a gradual improvement in the language situation, but violations still remain. Taras Kremin emphasized that local authorities should strengthen control over compliance with language legislation, as regional policy in this area requires more attention.

According to the law, announcements, signs, signposts, pointers and inscriptions must be made in the state language. If necessary, they can be additionally duplicated in other languages. This rule also applies to information about goods, services and activities of public authorities or private companies that is posted on the Internet.

Violation of these requirements is punishable by a fine of UAH 3.4 thousand to UAH 5.1 thousand or a warning. In case of repeated violation of the law within a year, the fine increases and ranges from UAH 8.5 thousand to UAH 11.9 thousand.

During the live broadcast of Intent.Insight, Yaroslava Vitko-Prysyazhnyuk , representative of the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, a member of the Odesa District Council, said that the language law in Ukraine is not aimed at Ukrainization, but at the de-Russification of the country, which has long been subjected to linguistic abuse and Russification.

Another example is the Passage Hotel in the heart of Odesa, which lost its Russian-language sign after a complaint about a violation of the law. After that, language ombudsman Taras Kremin called on Odesa authorities to check the signs.

Ірина Глухова