Applied and Existential Aspects of the Implementation of the National Standard of Ukrainian Latinics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28925/2311-2425.2025.244Keywords:
transliteration, Ukrainian Latinics, transliteration standard, transliteration principles, Cyrillic script, historical textsAbstract
This article aims to consider Latinization systems for Ukrainian language in comparison with transliteration standards of other languages. The basis for this study is the need for a scholarly based Latinization of Ukrainian texts, taking into account the historical development of the Ukrainian language, which has become especially relevant in connection with the real prospects of Ukraine's European integration.
Currently, two different Romanization systems are in force in Ukraine: Resolution No. 55 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine “On streamlining the transliteration of the Ukrainian alphabet into Latin” dated January 27, 2010, which guides the Romanization of Ukrainian names into English, and the national transliteration standard DSTU 9112:2021 “Information and documentation – Cyrillic-Latin transliteration and Latin-Cyrillic re-transliteration of Ukrainian texts. Writing rules”.
The purpose of this study is to find out the linguistic, technological, historical, legal and existential aspects of Ukraine's practical use of the transliteration norms of the Latinization of Ukrainian texts and to develop appropriate recommendations for the use of these norms.
An objective comparative analysis of approaches generally accepted in world linguistics and in international standardization against the Ukrainian background shows that the transcoding table of Resolution No. 55 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine does not meet the needs of our state in the field of transliteration.
The main advantages of DSTU 9112:2021 include its compliance with international requirements for transliteration, consistency with the international standard ISO 9:1995 and fixation of the antiquity of the Ukrainian language. Because of this, DSTU 9112:2021 is suitable not only for bibliography, but also for historical monuments of Ukraine and use in modern linguistic technologies that require Latinization. In particular, DSTU 9112:2021 provides an opportunity to restore the original form of texts, which include not only ordinary Ukrainian words, but also abbreviations. This feature makes it indispensable for huge text arrays of millions and billions of words, the transliteration of which takes place automatically.
From a legal point of view, the use of DSTU 9112:2021 will contribute to the practical implementation of the provisions of the Law of Ukraine “On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as a State Language” regarding the use of the Ukrainian language, studying the Ukrainian language abroad, spread of the Ukrainian language in the world, writing of Ukrainian names, toponyms, and other names.
The best option for Ukraine is the wide implementation of DSTU 9112:2021 “Information and documentation – Cyrillic-Latin transliteration and Latin-Cyrillic re-transliteration of Ukrainian texts. Writing rules”. For this, an appropriate decision must be made at the state level.
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