Language is the foundation of professional integrity

On March 19 – 20, Yuliia Chernobrov, Head of the National Commission on State Language Standards, visited Odesa State University of Internal Affairs, where she met with cadets and students. She emphasized that for a future officer, language is not only a means of communication but also a professional tool, a symbol of law and order, and national security.

The Head of the Commission emphasized that today, as Ukraine fights for its identity, language takes on special significance: «Language is a border that runs not along the ground, but through people’s hearts and minds. For future lawyers and law enforcement officers, proficiency in the state language is, above all, a matter of professional development and growth, an important step toward earning the trust of citizens and upholding the law. It is worth remembering: the language a public servant speaks is the state he serves».

The meeting agenda covered a wide range of topics:

- the specific features of the Ukrainian language as the official language under martial law and in the context of European integration processes;

- key aspects of the Commission’s work;

- compliance with official language standards and proficiency requirements for civil servants;

- professional speech etiquette for lawyers.

During their face-to-face interactions, the cadets asked questions about the provisions of the Law of Ukraine «On Ensuring the Functioning of the Ukrainian Language as the State Language», the appropriateness and outcomes of renaming settlements, and sought advice on improving their language skills, among other topics.

Today, we view the Ukrainian language through the lens of national security and social cohesion. For law enforcement agencies, linguistic stability is key to building a democratic state where the law and the language work in harmony.

«Words are a mirror of the soul, and professional language is a mirror of the state. The state speaks through the mouths of all its civil servants» - this was the central theme of the meetings.

During the visit, the Commission Head and university administration officials visited the classroom where the state language proficiency exam is being administered and spoke with the instructors.