Let Us Remember the Sacred Codification Day
by Jurij Pan'ko; translated by John E. Timo from Narodny novynky (Presov, Slovakia), no. 5-6, 5 February 1997
Who would not want to remember the most significant day in the history of the Rusyns of the Slovak Republic - January 27, the day of codification of the Rusyn language? It was two years ago, in Bratislava, when over 300 people, mainly Rusyns and representatives of other nationalities convened for the purpose of codifying the Rusyn language. We know that the native tongue is the keystone of every nation; and without this fundamental language there cannot be a people (nationality), culture, literature, or education, and without these and other similar components, there cannot be a people's own history.
The moment of codification of the Rusyn language was the beginning of a new Rusyn history. The Rusyns became spiritually, psychologically, and culturally richer, for such attributes enrich not just their own people (nationality) but all the people in their own country and in other countries. and their cultures and their practitioners. This enriching purpose among Rusyns is now being fulfilled by the Rusyn language.
This essay is meant to show the renewal of the Rusyn language during the two years since its codification. On the occasion of its first anniversary the codification an analysis was published in Narodny novynky nos. 5-6, 1996 by the present author. We are of the opinion that the printed word is a basic indicator of the renewal of the Rusyn language; specifically there are the newspaper Narodny novynky, the journal Rusyn, and beautiful educational literature published by Rusyn Renaissance (Rusyn'ska Obroda). For example, the Narodny novynky (People's News) previously was issued twice per month (instead of four times per month) - in the beginning it was composed of four pages, and now it is six to eight pages. In content, our newspaper has sufficient variety. It brings informative and important news of daily events and of the cultural-organizational life of our villages and towns from the editors' desks and also not in small measure from many contributors. The visits to Narodny novynky by our contributors is appreciated, for it shows that we have good contacts and have not lost touch with our people and our districts. Every possible means will be used to hone and cleanse the Rusyn language of foreign influence.
There is a wide range of photodocumentation. The editors are the photographers, but other amateurs or professionals are not excluded. With their present format, content, and in the language aspect, the papers are nearing a professional level. The language today of Narodny novynky is consonant, and is adhering strictly to all rules of the codification regarding Rusyn spelling and orthography. For having achieved good press ratings for Narodny novynky (and likewise for the journal Rusyn), credit is due to the editorial staff, especially to the editor-in-chief.
In aspects of form, content, and aesthetics, highly regarded also is the cultural-Christian magazine Rusyn, which reports on the cultural life of Rusyns especially in Slovakia, Subcarpathian Rus', Poland, Hungary, Vojvodina, America, Canada, and elsewhere. Rusyn is an aesthetically color-illustrated journal. During the years of economic difficulties (most difficult in 1996) our newspaper and journal held fast; they survived, even though the difficulties were many, but thanks to the sponsors, benefactors, and lovers of the Rusyn word who helped through "Action-100" so that the papers were able to be issued at least twice a month. It was a difficult year to publish, but with Rusyn optimism we found strength to survive a most difficult year.
The language of the newspaper and the journal is sufficiently refined and they are easily read. The vocabulary (lexicon) of the paper and all the printed materials is, admittedly, influenced somewhat by the vocabulary of the Slovak majority, and also in no small measure by the termination of the Rusyn schools after 1953. The use of some vocabulary of the majority I regard as a normal phase in establishing a dictionary stock of words.
With the codification of the language the Rusyn Renaissance Society felt quite successful when the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic permitted the teaching of Rusyn language and culture in elementary schools beginning September 1, 1996. Unfortunately this teaching did not get started because the directive from the Ministry of Education arrived late and the teachings corps and schools were not prepared. But as they say, "better late than never." We have no doubt that beginning September 1997 the Rusyn language will be taught in elementary schools in Slovakia. The steering committee of Rusyn Renaissance has a very important role to play in this program, as does the printed word (Narodny novynky and the magazine Rusyn). Furthermore, one position has been created from the research institute for national minorities at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra its branch in Presov. The Minister of Education of the Slovak Republic praised the creation of a Department of Rusyn Language and Culture at the Pedagogical Faculty of Presov University, and that means that soon after the competition formalities and beginning in September 1997, three teachers will be hired to ensure the teaching process at the Presov faculty.
Following the codification not as much was accomplished with respect to the Rusyn language as we had wished, but an important advance had been made, that the Rusyn children will be able to study their native language, and that students could be trained at Presov University who after four or five years would be qualified to teach and renew the native language and the study of culture.
The editors of the Rusyn Renaissance have also accomplished much in the issuing of books. In the years since the codification have appeared a collection of poems by Jurko Charytun, Husli z javora (Fiddles of Maple); poems by Stefan Suchyj, Endi sidat' na mashynu vicnosty (Andy Sits on the Vehicle of Eternity); an illustrated booklet for children (and adults), by Marija Mal'covska, Prypovidkova Lucka (The Storytelling Meadow), and the soon-to-be-published collection of poetry of Rusyns in Slovakia, Muza spid Karpat (The Muse from Under the Carpathians), compiled by Anna Plishkova. In spite of financial shortages the Rusyn Renaissance deserves credit for publishing, over several years, a total of twenty-four publications on various subjects (folk songs, folk tales, history, poetry, novels, bibliography, Holy Scripture, linguistics, and others), about which there is much interest even beyond our country's borders.
I cannot overlook this fact, that even with the newspaper's published protests we were unable to get the Rusyn language books available for purchase on store shelves. We believe that if the language is to be taught in schools, the books should not remain sitting in warehouses.
The Rusyn language has its living base in the Aleksander Duchnovic Theatre and frequently on the Rusyn-Ukrainian radio. We were unable to start our own Rusyn radio program. We must believe that this will happen in time.
We have mentioned only some of the happenings which concern the application of our native language to the lives of Rusyns during the two year period since the codification.