Formation of Contemporary Ukrainian and Bulgarian Languages

The evolution of contemporary languages is a complex process deeply intertwined with cultural, historical, and political events. This post explores when contemporary Ukrainian and Bulgarian languages began forming, and counters claims that Ukrainian is an "invented" language by drawing parallels with the development of Bulgarian. Both languages share a history of struggle for recognition and standardization, shaped by their unique circumstances.

Contemporary Ukrainian Language: From Vernacular to Literary Standard

The contemporary Ukrainian language began forming in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with Ivan Kotliarevsky's 1798 publication of Eneyida often regarded as the pivotal moment. Written in the spoken vernacular of the time, this satirical poem marked a clear departure from the use of Church Slavonic or the more formalized "Ruthenian" used in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Instead, it embraced the everyday speech of Ukrainians, laying the foundation for modern Ukrainian literature.

Taras Shevchenko, a poet and cultural icon, further popularized the Ukrainian language through his works, including Kobzar (1840). He emphasized the beauty and expressive power of the vernacular, promoting its use as a vehicle for national identity.

In 1918, the Ukrainian People’s Republic adopted Ukrainian as its official language.

Despite claims that Ukrainian is an "invented language," it is deeply rooted in the Old East Slavic language of Kyivan Rus' (9th–13th centuries). Over centuries, it developed independently, influenced by neighboring languages such as Polish and Turkic languages, yet retaining its distinct grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics.

Contemporary Bulgarian Language: The Role of Neofit Rilski and the Bulgarian Revival

The contemporary Bulgarian language began forming during the Bulgarian National Revival in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The defining figure in this process was Neofit Rilski, who published the first Bulgarian grammar in 1835, titled Bulgarian Grammar (Българска граматика).

The modern Bulgarian language evolved from Old Church Slavonic, the liturgical language of the First Bulgarian Empire, and was shaped by centuries of interaction with Ottoman Turkish, Greek, and russian. By the mid-19th century, it had become a distinct and standardized language, culminating in its official codification after Bulgaria’s liberation in 1878.