What is the capital of Ukraine – Kyiv or Kyiv? What is the correct spelling in English for the capital of Ukraine? Today these two names are equally used in the official sources as well as in press. Let’s see why.
What do we know about Kyiv (Kyiv)? Returning to the history, Ukrainian capital was named Kyiv in honor of the oldest brother Kiy or Kyi (in Ukrainian pronanciation) in the V century and since that time it has been considered to be the main cultural, religious and political center of the East Slavic civilization.
The main reason of difference depends on the choice of language – Russian or Ukrainian.
Kyiv is the recognised transliteration of the name of the city in Russian, and also the old Ukrainian name which has been used for centuries right back to the times of Kyivan Rus.
Kyiv meanwhile is the transliteration of the modern Ukrainian name of the city and the official name as far as all legal and political issues are concerned. We can find the word “Kyiv” on the pages of Ukrainian newspapers in English such as Kyiv Post and Kyiv Weekly. They proclaim the modern Ukrainian name while most English speakers are still far more familiar with the old Russian one.
This transliteration problem is common to many Ukrainian toponyms, e,g., Dnipro or Dniper, Kharkiv or Kharkov. But it doesn’t change the point. Is it Kyiv or Kyiv, it is still beautiful and ancient capital of Ukraine that always greets you.
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