Dear Steve, in fact I’m glad you’ve raised this question here so that we could make a joint contribution to fighting ignorance that still takes place in particular cases. I believe I’ve commented enough on the issue so I’m leaving this page. If you have any further questions don’t hesitate to contact me in private. I’m always ready to assist. :-)

Well, ladies and gentlemen, manifestations of Ukrainophobia aren't anything new in this world. So I'm not surprised at all. And I don't really give a damn how the name of my country is written in Dutch. The question was asked in English and about English. By the way, in German Ukraine is accompanied with the definite article exactly due to German grammar demands which suggest the same rule for all other names of countries being masculine or feminine (Ukraine is a feminine noun in German.) So what? Shall we use rules from other languages in English? And why German? Why not introducing rules from Arabic or Chinese, for example? Or maybe from Ukrainian? In Ukrainian Ukraine is written without any article. It's because Ukrainian hasn't articles. But it might have had them like Bulgarian which is also a Slavic language and has a suffix definite article. Nevertheless, in Bulgarian Ukraine is also used without the article. Therefore, I see no reason why France, Germany, Italy, Spain must be used without the article IN ENGLISH while Ukraine must be the Ukraine like the Thames. Is it worse than the rest of the countries? Isn't it a member of the same international organisations? Anyway, as I told before it's not only a matter of grammar but also of tact, good breeding and education.

We can either refer to history or not. However, English grammar gives a clear answer to this question, i.e. the definite article is used only with countries 1) whose names include words like kingdom, states or republic: the United Kingdom, the United States, the People’s Republic of China; 2) which have plural nouns as their names: the Netherlands, the Philippines. As far as we can see it has no connection with Ukraine. So, dear English speakers, both native and non-native, please show at least some respect to my motherland and don’t put it in the same category with rivers, islands, seas, mountains etc.;)

I am learning English, because I want to study abroad in Spain <em>(or</em> outside of Spain.<em>)</em> My native language is Spanish, and I grew up in Spain. 

I enjoy going to the cinema, talking to my friends, shopping and many other things.

Добре, ще отговоря сам на своя въпрос. 1. Вместо «истинаха» трябва да бъде «изстинаха». Това е само печатна грешка в книгата. По принцип би трябвало да се досетя. Но вземайки под внимание, че на автора му харесва ненормативна лексика, не бях сигурен, какво точно той имаше пред вид.:) 2. Глаголът «лоясам» произхожда от съществителното «лой», така че смисълът на израза «мозъкът лояса» е също понятен.

Hello to you! 

I'm so happy to find a place where I can practise <em>(if you really prefer British English:)</em> my English. Thank God!!!
Not that I don't have Facebook or Skype. I do have them, but all the people that want me to add them write me in...French :) I don't speak it. I just know a few <em>(=several, some)</em> words :) Actually, I'd love to learn French, too...But let's focus on English first:) And I should point out that I love British English.

Polish? It`s nothing! :D It`s close enough to Ukrainian in grammar and vocabulary so I've never had big problems with it:) I've recently started learning Czech and this may really be a challenge. Or maybe not :) But I can assure you that nothing can make me hate Croatian. Moreover, I fell in love with this language which I now regard as my favourite one among all the Slavic languages, after my native Ukrainian, of course:P