LANGUAGE ISSUES IN THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE MAGAZINE “PROBOYEM” (1933–1939)

Abstract

The article analyses publications in the magazine «Proboyem», which raise the issue of Czechoslovak language policy in Subcarpathian Rus during 1933–1939. During this period, the language issue was one of the key issues in the confrontation between the Ukrainian and Moscowphile movements against the backdrop of Prague’s controversial policy, which declared neutrality but in practice often supported the Moscowphiles. The magazine Proboyem became one of the platforms for the protection of the national and linguistic rights of Ukrainians. Although this publication has already been analysed in scientific works from a literary and historical perspective, a systematic analysis of the language issues raised in the magazine has not yet been carried out, which determines the relevance of the study.The purpose of this article is to analyse the key aspects of criticism of Czechoslovakia’s language policy towards Subcarpathian Rus in the publications of the Proboyem magazine for 1933–1939.The analysis showed that language issues were one of the key topics in the magazine. The authors criticised the ‘divide and rule’ policy of the Czechoslovak government, in particular Minister E. Benesh. This policy was aimed at weakening the Ukrainian movement by supporting Muscowitism and creating a ‘Carpatho-Russian’ identity.Considerable attention was paid to defending the legitimacy of the word ‘Ukrainian’.At the same time, the magazine did not limit itself to criticism, but also served as a platform for action, in particular promoting the resolution of the congress of youth with specific demands: the introduction of Ukrainian as the official language in administrative structures, the development of a comprehensive school system with Ukrainian as the language of instruction, and the elimination of Moscowphile and excessive Czech influences from the educational process. In addition, “Proboyem” exposed ideological manipulations, in particular attempts by communists to downplay the importance of the language issue, which they assessed as a tactic to spread the ‘poison of red Moscow’.