How to Correctly Name the Berry ‘Ezhyevika’ in Ukrainian: Language Culture and Contemporary Challenges
Since the full-scale military aggression by Russia began, Ukrainian citizens have increasingly turned to their native language to maintain their cultural and spiritual identity. However, amid this linguistic revival, many people encounter mistakes and imperfections in their vocabulary, often influenced by surzhyk (a mix of Ukrainian and Russian) and Russisms, which depend heavily on the linguistic environment and education level. An example of such linguistic confusion is the summer berry — instead of the correct Ukrainian term, ‘ozhina’, many use ‘ezhevika’, a direct calque from Russian. It is crucial to understand that in Ukrainian, this berry is called ‘ozhina’ — a perennial shrub with prickly branches and edible fruits. According to authoritative Ukrainian language dictionaries, ‘ozhina’ is a spiny plant with edible berries widely found in nature. To change linguistic habits and enrich one's vocabulary with proper words, it is recommended to read Ukrainian literature, study dictionaries, and minimize the use of Russisms and surzhyk in daily communication. Being aware that ‘ezhevika’ is a Russian loanword, Ukrainians are encouraged to adopt the correct Ukrainian term ‘ozhina’. Learning vocabulary and conscious language use are small but vital steps toward preserving national identity and culture, especially in difficult times. Many Ukrainians have already made the conscious choice to speak Ukrainian in everyday life and official contexts. This transition process, the ‘linguistic crossing’ — as discussed by journalist and freelance printer Volodymyr Shishkov from Kherson — reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukrainian linguistic identity amid ongoing challenges and efforts to enrich the Ukrainian language in contemporary society.