A language controversy has erupted in Odessa over the name of the restaurant Bryzgi
The Odessa-based establishment Bryzgi has found itself at the center of a language controversy over its name, which internet users believe is a transliteration of the Russian word “брызги.”
Volunteer and journalist Ruslan Gorovyi drew attention to this. He stated that since the start of the full-scale war, some Ukrainian businesses have not abandoned their Russian-language names but have simply transcribed them into the Latin alphabet.
“Some Ukrainian businesspeople, who simply cannot let go of the Russian language and come to terms with the new realities, are rebranding. However, they’re doing it in a rather peculiar way,” Gorovyi wrote.
According to him, a similar situation has already occurred with other establishments. In particular, he mentioned the “Gorky” coffee shop chain, which changed the spelling of its name to GRKY.
The journalist also noted that he personally pays attention to the origins of business names and avoids places where, in his opinion, the Latin spelling actually conceals a Russian-language name.
In the comments, users began citing their own examples of such renaming. The discussion centers on whether the use of the Latin alphabet can be considered a way to formally circumvent the requirements for Ukrainian-language names.
At the same time, Ukrainian law stipulates that the names and signs of food service establishments must be in the Ukrainian language. Other languages may be used, in particular, in the case of a registered trademark.
The Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Olena Ivanovska, appealed to the Security Service of Ukraine regarding the situation at the Odesa Regional Academic Drama Theater. The reason was remarks captured on audio recordings that may contain signs of inciting ethnic hatred and hostility.
The well-known Odesa theater found itself at the center of a high-profile language scandal following a surprise on-site inspection that lasted more than two and a half hours.
