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Showing posts from March, 2015

The Archaic Language of the Ukrainian Diaspora, Part II

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I've collected quite a few more old Galician/Ukrainian diasporan words since my first post on the subject, which can be found here  (plus post about the word "rover" here .) When I talk in Ukrainian to my parents or other Ukrainians in the diaspora, I still hear words from them that I don't hear in Ukraine, i.e., archaic, often Polish, and sometimes anglicized Ukrainian words.  Here are some new ones that I didn't post last time: Note: these are words that I've heard from my relatives in the States, and they might not be used by all the diaspora. *** Last time I was in Chicago I found this Ukrainian children's dictionary at home. It was published in Canada, but not sure what year. It includes a lot of our old words. One of the biggest linguistic challenges for me when I moved to Ukraine was to use the word "ovochi" for "vegetables" instead of for "fruit," because like in Polish, in the diaspora we use the

Sidewalk Stamp in Lutsk

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This sidewalk stamp says: "Zarząd Miejski m. Lucka" (Municipal Board of the City Lutsk). This curb dates from the interwar period when Lutsk was part of the Second Polish Republic (1920-1939) 

Ferrum Lwow Sidewalk Stamps in Lviv

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The pre-WWII company Ferrum Lwow not only made manhole covers  and storm drains but also manufactured and/or laid cement sidewalks. The stamps served as an identification and advertisement. 

More Traces of Przemysl's Prewar Past

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To continue my last post on Przemysl... Here's a new  ghost sign ! as well as some more manhole covers an old fence with the manufacturer's name and boot scrapers!

The Guardian: Ghost Stations

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An interesting article in the Guardian about the world's "ghost stations." "Underground travel has become a familiar routine for millions of urban dwellers, but most commuters are unaware that lurking on the other side of the walls are the remains of abandoned stations, slowly deteriorating. Known as "ghost stations", they are silent but powerful reminders of forgotten history." image from the Guardian