Why do people call it "the Ukraine"

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: Calin

Originally posted by: lyssword

Yes it was a "state" of Soviet Union before 1990, imo similar how France is a "state" of European Union. It is not a region tho, its a separate country, with its own borders/language, etc.

It was a "state" of the Soviet Union just as Texas is a state of the United States.
Not at all like France is a state of the European Union

You might be right, as I was only 4 yr old when in 1990 soviet union broke up, so I don't know much of history during USSR era. However I think it is slightly different than Texas of U.S, in a sense that since 1920's Russian Communists started annexing countries around them, they were separate countries before and after, complete with its capitals/history/language/etnic groups, by influence of their armies, propaganda etc.. *Ukraine was ruled by Kazaks but they had no army thats why Russia took over easily, srry wrong about "white army" as that was the army of Russian Czar*
Ukraine was its own republic with its own government/constitution during USSR era, but it had pretty much no power to separate from USSR.

Ukrainian language was studied during Soviet era, but it was as a secondary language.
What gave me the idea that Ukraine was kind of a separate entity, was reading soviet maps/encyclopedias, which clearly marked borders of all countries inside USSR, listed its population etc..

 

[Yossarian]

THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Is that some kind of inside joke? cuz I heard it many times before (even outside teh internets), but I dunno where u ppl got that from

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: lyssword

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Is that some kind of inside joke? cuz I heard it many times before (even outside teh internets), but I dunno where u ppl got that from

world cup

 

[Yossarian]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: lyssword

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Is that some kind of inside joke? cuz I heard it many times before (even outside teh internets), but I dunno where u ppl got that from

world cup

negative

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: Yossarian

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother

Originally posted by: lyssword

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Is that some kind of inside joke? cuz I heard it many times before (even outside teh internets), but I dunno where u ppl got that from

world cup

negative

oh doh, it was referenced in the world cup, but i guess it's originaly from risk?

damn, the ukraine really does suck in that game

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: letdown427

Originally posted by: Syringer
Is it because we refer to the US as "THE US", so any country starting with a "U" sound gets the "the" treatment?

I don't think it's a sound thing, one doesn't say 'the Uruguay', or 'the Yugoslavia' (U sound...)

Good question though

HEHE look at this country......U R GAY hehe

 

[sonambulo]

because thats what its called

 

[thedarkwolf]

I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.

LOL

 

[Colt45]

Originally posted by: marvdmartian
If I had to provide a WAG, I'd have to say it's a throwback to being part of the old Soviet Union. When people would refer to that area that's now the country of Ukraine, they'd refer to it as, "The Ukraine section of the USSR", or some such.

nah, that still doesnt work. cause then you'd have:
the georgia
the lithuania
the kazakhstan
etc.

proper name during USSR was 'ukrainskaya SSR' i.e. ukrainian soviet socialist republic.
no the there either. although i guess it would work there, like 'i am in the ukranian SSR"

still doesnt make sense though.
"I am in the USA" - ok
"i am in the america" -no
"i am in the americas" yes
"i am in the ukraine" no!

 

[CKent]

Because we're familiar with the Canadian province of The Yukon. The phonetics are similar so we form a connection we shouldn't.

 

[senseamp]

Because Ukraine means borderland or frontier in old slavic, so the Ukraine means the Borderlands, kind of like the Netherlands, hence the "the Ukraine"

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: Syringer
It's the only country (that I can tell) that is an actual name, as opposed to "the United States" or "the People's Republic of China" that is usually referred to with "the" prefixing it. <words cut>

There are also
The Gambia
The Holy See (Vatican)
The Netherlands


the Ukraine = lots of pretty women there!

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: lyssword

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Is that some kind of inside joke? cuz I heard it many times before (even outside teh internets), but I dunno where u ppl got that from

Seinfeld, Kramer and Newman end up playing Risk on the subway.

New scene.
Kramer and Newman are on a subway car, the Risk board sits on their laps.

Newman: Are you sure you know where the impound yard is?

Kramer: Oh, stop stalling. Come on.

Newman: I can't think, there's all this noise.

Kramer: Or is it because I've built a stronghold around Greenland? I've driven
you out of Western Europe and I've left you teetering on the brink of complete
annihilation.

Newman: I'm not beaten yet. I still have armies in the Ukraine.

This comment perks up the ears of what appears to be a Russian immigrant.

Kramer: Ha ha, the Ukraine. Do you know what the Ukraine is? It's a sitting
duck. A road apple, Newman. The Ukraine is weak. It's feeble. I think it's
time to put the hurt on the Ukraine.

Ukrainian: I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.

Kramer: Yeah, well we're playing a game here, pal.

Ukrainian: Ukraine is game to you?! Howbout I take your little board and smash
it!!

The Ukrainian pounds the game board, destroying it and sending army pieces
flying.

 

[JulesMaximus]

What are they gonna call it? China's backyard?

 

[So]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
What are they gonna call it? China's backyard?

Do you have no clue where the Ukraine is? It's as much 'China's backyard' as Poland is.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Isnt Fedor from Ukraine? Lets hope Mr. Emilianenko isnt monitoring this thread :Q

 

[JS80]

The Congo

 

[Tiamat]

The Ukraine sounds like that ukraine is a territory and not a country.

 

[AnyMal]

Originally posted by: lyssword
I have encountered this too, our global issues teacher was joking about "the ukraine". But honestly I don't really think it matters. We interpret foreign words/names in our own way and in our own pronunciation. For example Japan is really closer to "nippon" or "yapon" than J apan. And I really doubt any chinese refer to themselves as american " Ch -I- nis-eh" pronunciation.

Btw I was born in Ukraine, been there for more than half of my life, and the native pronunciation is "ooh kra eena".
A little history (from what I know): some say that the name first appeared in 1000ad, when Kiev was becoming a trading town, before Russia become a country. The russian civilization (as in language/tradition/towns) spread from kiev, building an outpost that is now called Moscow on the moscow river. From one description, Ukrainians suffered Mongol wrath too, when their warriors tried to resist the invasion. A big platform was placed on top of thousands of warriors, where Mongols celebrated, untill they got crushed to death.
Ukraine served as a buffer (to Russia) later on, many times fighting polish and prussian (germanic) invasions. Later annexed by communists, like most USSR countries adapted Russian language. Right now after fall of USSR they are having big economic troubles, as many things that were integrated, like natural gas/oil from Russia they have to pay for among many other political instabilities.

Country is situated across the black sea from Turkey from south, a major foreign trader,and below Russia from the North/East,Poland from the West. Slightly larger than France it has the largest land area of any European country.

You almost got it right. Ukraine as a name did not appear til much later, about 16th century, til then it was know as Kiev Rus' or Rus'. Russia itself and Moscow in particular were founded by ukrainians fleeing from mongols in the 12th - 13th centuries. Moscow was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, a brother of Kiev RuS' ruler. In short, Russia owes it's creation and existance to Ukraine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: So

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
What are they gonna call it? China's backyard?

Do you have no clue where the Ukraine is? It's as much 'China's backyard' as Poland is.

My bad, I always think of Russia and the Ukraine as the same for some reason...

 

[Kntx]

Other ones...

The Sudan
The Congo
The Lebanon

 

[lyssword]

Originally posted by: VanillaH

Originally posted by: Yossarian
THE UKRAINE IS WEAK!

Isnt Fedor from Ukraine? Lets hope Mr. Emilianenko isnt monitoring this thread :Q

Nah he's Russian born in teh wilderness of Siberia. He got so strong by wrestling with the bears (lol u kno im kiddin right, right? )


Geographical location: Eastern Europe, Turkey is across the sea to the South. Although Eurasia is one continent, cartographers have imaginary line separating Europe from asia, it is by the Ural mountains in Russia and Caucasian mountains, and down the straight where Istanbul is.
By those definitions Ukraine is completely European.