Russian or Ukrainian and Old Money.

[eclecticquill]

I have two characters, both male. Both between 40-45. One is the son of diplomats. Traveled and educated all over the world. The other is a former Russian soldier. Ukrainian by birth (if it mattered under the soviets

Comments

[orange_fell]

I approved this post but now I see it's missing a few important things. What time period is your story taking place in? How have you tried to research the questions?

[eclecticquill]

The story is present day.

I've done the usual Google searches. But all I turn up is information about Russian currency. And pre-Soviet descriptions of Russian nobility. As for the Russian/Ukrainian question, if i turn up anything at all, it's a mixed bag. Some will say it's Russian. Others Ukrainian. So really no answer at all.

[bluealoe]

I can't help with the the first question, but my husband's family is Ukrainian (immigrated to the US after WW2), and if you call any of them Russian or Soviet, they would probably never talk to you again. In my experience, Ukrainians tend to view Russians/Soviets as the enemy, especially those who suffered under the Soviets in WW2, and are very careful to distinguish themselves as a separate group.

I can ask my mother-in-law about Ukrainian descriptions equivalent to "blue blood", and get back to you, if that would help.

[eclecticquill]

Thanks Bluealoe. That would be helpful. Also, if you could, ask if there is an idea of "old money". Americans tend to lump the two together.Though, they're not quite the same. They could be, but aren't necessarily.

[dorsetgirl]

Disclaimer: all my knowledge of USSR/Russia/Ukraine is from novels. That said, it's been my impression that non-Russians were in general seen (by the Russian authorities) as inferior to Russians. For example iirc, Marko Ramius, the sub captain in Red October, was always regarded with suspicion by the authorities because one of his parents had been Ukrainian rather than Russian.

[alextiefling]

Isn't Ramius' family Lithuanian?

[dorsetgirl]

That sounds more likely - it's a while since I've read the book, so thanks for the correction! The point stands, though, that he was "lesser" because he wasn't a full Russian.

[anonymous]

Sorry I didn't know the story behind this post, but assumed all of the characters are fictitious and you are trying to write something about them.

About the first question: to figure out the language its important to see where did they grew up together and the background of both families.
For example, if they are in their 40s, they were raised under the Soviet regimen and most of the education (Im talking about 90%) was in russian. Regardless of the family background russian would become your primary language, just to socialize with other kids if you live in a city.
Totally opposite example: If mentioned characters grew up in a western part of Ukraine (like Lvov or small "hutor"-country side), which tried to preserve their roots and resist "russionalization" ukrainian would be the language to speak.

Second: people with russian/soviet background may use the word "aristocrat" to describe such person. "blue blood" is also common, but may be misunderstood in connection with the Hitler's "blue blood" depending on the conversation.

[eclecticquill]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

[anonymous]

Hi Eclecticquill,

Q1. Russian. Definitely Russian if guys are 40-45. The Diplomat's kid was educated at a Russian-speaking school, Uni, etc. and the former soldier was educated and gave an oath in Soviet army in Russian.
Q2. the concept is the same and "the blue blood" expression has the same translation in Russian "Golubaya krov". Well, the full expression is "the blue blood, white bone". regarding "the old money" the expression is the same if we are talking about an American. If we are talking about "old money" Russian, it's slightly complicated.

To Bluealoe. You are absolutely right, Never call Ukrainians left Soviet Unionduring WW2 Russians or Soviets. They have never came back to Ukraine and left it at that particular for some very much special reasons which not a lot of them would objectively discuss. It was difficult time and everyone had to make own choices.