Ukrainian Language Day, 9 November 2012

In my working life here I hear several languages in a day and nobody finds that remarkable. A meeting can begin in one and finish in another without anyone commenting on it.

What I will say, as a guest, is that learning the language of the country you work in changes the relationship. Not because it is required — it frequently is not — but because the effort is understood as a form of respect, and it is answered as one.

That has been my experience consistently, and I would give the same advice to anyone arriving.

Happy Ukrainian Language and Writing Day.