The study of the lexical composition of each language is not only interesting for specialists and the general public, but also important for society, as it reveals the language's ability to create new expressions, showcasing its potential and significance for the people. The author brings back from obscurity another part of our linguistic heritage by describing the lexicon of the western Ukrainian variant of the literary language during the interwar period, which had developed at that time in Galicia and particularly in its center, the city of Lviv. This dialect was alive, full-fledged, and multifunctional. The book highlights the social dialects that were spoken in Lviv during the interwar period, including the jargons of schoolchildren and athletes. Special attention is given to "balaka," the language feature of the subculture of the "batyars" (a distinct group in the 1920s-1930s), which flourished during that time. The book also illustrates the specifics of Soviet language policy, which aimed to restrict the use of western Ukrainian lexicon to artificially bring the Ukrainian language closer to Russian. It shows how contemporary writers, seeking to undo the effects of the policy of Russification, are reintroducing western Ukrainian lexicon, enriching the vocabulary of the national language.

The book is intended for a wide readership, including philologists, historians, ethnographers, and anyone interested in the history of the formation of the Ukrainian literary language and its diversity.

328 pages. Hardcover.