Why?

[cheaffa.livejournal.com]

Hi!
I was still in school when I realized why one should study English - it's a language of international communication. I wonder why people started to learn Russian, such a grammatically and stylistically complicated language? Please tell me why, for what reason did you make this choice?

(thank, Gordin!)

Здравствуйте!
Еще в школе я поняла почему нужно учить английский, он интернациональный. Мне интересно, почему люди стали учить русский, такой грамматически и стилистически сложный язык? Расскажите, пожалуйста, зачем, почему, для чего?

Comments

[oryx_and_crake]

Please note that the working language of this community is English. It is OK to post in Russian but then you must provide a translation (see the community rules).

[wordchick.livejournal.com]

I started to study Russian because it was more interesting than French and at 11, I was less easily intimidated than I am now. I also thought it made more sense of the two, which I find mysterious in retrospect. I had studied French as a child, but somehow, Russian called me.

[gordin.livejournal.com]

For those who have difficulties understanding the post - here's a translation:

Hi!
I was still in school when I realized why one should study English - it's a language of international communication. I wonder why people started to learn Russian, such a grammatically and stylistically complicated language? Please tell me why, for what reason did you make this choice?

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

I've decided to take up Russian, because it is the common language of all Eastern Europe, and most of Asia as well as parts of the Middle East. Even here at home in the USA, I can find people that I can speak to in Russian. It's a very useful language. I think less people speak German and French. The only other languages worth considering as far as number of speakers is concerned, would be Spanish and Mandarin. I have no interest in those languages, Russian has a much more appealing sound! Also, I get to study Bulgakov, Tolstoy! What am I going to read in Spanish or Mandarin that comes close to that?

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

Russian is also an international language! It's no less important than English!

[oryx_and_crake]

Thank you for providing the translation. However, if the OP does not include it in the original post, I will have to delete the entire thing. There are community rules, you know.

[gordin.livejournal.com]

Well, in terms of number ro native speakers, number of people knowing it and number of countries having it as an official language, Russian is not that 'important', compared to English.

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

No, you are wrong. In fact, Russian may be *more* important. You see, Russia has the manpower and resources to out-produce the USA, should Russians ever get it together enough to do so. I am wagering that I'll see this happen in my lifetime. Look now at EU and the Ukraine. What's going to happen without Russian gas? Now look at Siberia - Chinese are crossing the border in droves, because of Russian land.

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

Also I didn't say anything about national language. Many people speak Russian and another language, and while Russian isn't the official language where they live, they do use Russian. I have couple friends who have more than one native language, for example. They grew up speaking both Ukrainian and Russian, or Uzbek and Russian, Bulgarian and Russian, Tartar... See? =)) The statistics are deceptive, at best.

[gordin.livejournal.com]

I used the stats for spoken language, not the native. Among the nativbe ones Russian is of course lower.

[capka3m.livejournal.com]

The userpic is perfect: I want some of the stuff you're smoking...

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

Also, think of it - Russia itself is 1/6th of the worlds land mass. That means I can travel 1/6th of the Earth on ONE LANGUAGE. That's a LOT of travel time. Then toss in Eastern Europe... Hey, that's a lot of bang for your buck! =))

[gordin.livejournal.com]

Most of your travelling time you will spend alone, as the population density is extremely low in most parts of the country. ;)

[gordin.livejournal.com]

Funny. Especially the get-together part. Lol.

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

That's fine with me. =))

[gordin.livejournal.com]

But what about your language practice? )

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

Yeah, maybe. The USSR became an industrialized nation in 50 years though, from feudalism.

[gordin.livejournal.com]

You have a nice misconception of history. :)

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

Ok, I stand corrected. Do you have a url where I can see these stats?

[gordin.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_by_speakers

Sources are listed there.

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

I got that from 'The Soviets: 50 years from chaos to world power' by Robert Goldston. Maybe my source is incorrect. Do you have a better one?

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

It says NATIVE SPEAKERS. Go back and take a second look.

[gordin.livejournal.com]

Well, you shouldn't judge about a country's history by one book.

[oryx_and_crake]

I am sorry to say you read too much science fiction.

[flamingspear.livejournal.com]

What about it? As I said above, I do not have to leave the USA to use Russian. There are Russian communities right here in the USA, and in my home state even. If I went to Russia for a visit, it wouldn't be to talk to the natives.