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German Publication ZEIT Adopts Ukrainian Spelling of Kyiv in Support of Ukrainian Identity
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ZEIT has officially adopted the Ukrainian transliteration of Kyiv, switching from the German “Kiew” to “Kyjiw” on October 30.
In a statement, the publication clarified that while the change might appear complex, “Kyjiw” follows simple pronunciation rules. The switch moves away from the Russian transliteration that has been in use, aligning instead with Ukrainian orthography.
The publication’s editorial team acknowledged longstanding debates over the spelling change, with past concerns focused on readability and fears of showing overt bias.
The statement pointed out that the ongoing destruction of Ukrainian sovereignty, culture, and language by Russia has reframed the decision. “But with every passing day that the Russian war of aggression continues and that Ukraine has to defend itself against the destruction of its sovereignty and culture and, not least, against the extinction of its language, these arguments lose their validity,” the statement reads.
Some critics argue that the German term “Kiew” predates modern Russian influence, citing its origin in East Slavic roots from ancient Rus, an early medieval state centered in present-day Kyiv.
However, ZEIT noted that the legacy of linguistic repression cannot be ignored. Over the past two centuries, Russian leaders have used language as a tool to undermine Ukrainian identity.
This strategy continues in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Just before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Putin asserted that Ukraine was neither a distinct people nor a distinct language.
Since then, the Russian government has replaced Ukrainian textbooks in occupied areas, destroyed Ukrainian museums, and systematically indoctrinated children with Russian historical narratives.
Some children, abducted to Russia, were forbidden from speaking Ukrainian, and survivors who fled reported punishment for not singing the Russian anthem.
In 1876, the Russian Empire officially banned the use of Ukrainian in public spaces, falsely labeling it a Russian dialect.
The Soviet Union further entrenched Russian dominance, pushing Ukrainian to the margins of cultural expression.
The depth of this oppression may be difficult to grasp, particularly the attempts to erase Ukrainian identity under leaders like Josef Stalin, who orchestrated mass killings in Ukraine, targeting those who sought to preserve their cultural heritage.
In addition, Germany officially adopted Ukrainian spelling of Ukraine’s capital on February 23, 2024.
Earlier, Google Translate introduced the ability to translate texts into Crimean Tatar using the Latin alphabet, expanding from the previous option of Cyrillic-based transliteration.
