Should you learn to speak Russian?

[Boethius]

Very few if any of the men here are going to learn Russian past the basic cave man
level. Russian is too difficult and too different from English and the men here have jobs,
and girls to chase.

Yes, but dragonkid has stated he wants to be fluent in Russian.

[fathertime]

Put me in the camp of yes I think you should learn it. If you do meet a girl and maybe you will, of course you'll want to talk to her family one day. My kids are there now, I cant talk with my sons coach. I mean what is the worst case, you learn another language. My old friend Matthew Schwartz RIP, learned the language. He took private lessons but there are other avenues. He talked to more women, met more women, got more women on his way to the market everyday than all these guys here saying not to do it put together. He wasn't a good looking guy either but as I said the guy learned it, was very outgoing with it and non threatening. The ladies loved him because he could actually talk to them and I would guess they respected the fact that he put in the effort to learn it.  I wish I would've learned it.

There are big benefits to learning the foreign language of your spouse.  For example, when at a family outing in the foreign country, as the husband you are actually a part of the outing, interacting with sisters, Mother in Law, cousins, friends...or the other option is to stand around like a grinning monkey, being spoon fed the play by play of what is being said.  Another example, when your child is being spoken to in the foreign language by Grandmother or Uncle, it is nice to know what is being said and participate, rather than looking dumbfounded like an ignorant shaved ape.    I don't think it is a requirement obviously, but if a man is truly motivated to learn the language of the ladies he is pursuing, I can't imagine discouraging him from doing so, there are benefits.


Fathertime!   

[GregfromGa]

There are big benefits to learning the foreign language of your spouse.  For example, when at a family outing in the foreign country, as the husband you are actually a part of the outing, interacting with sisters, Mother in Law, cousins, friends...or the other option is to stand around like a grinning monkey, being spoon fed the play by play of what is being said.  Another example, when your child is being spoken to in the foreign language by Grandmother or Uncle, it is nice to know what is being said and participate, rather than looking dumbfounded like an ignorant shaved ape.    I don't think it is a requirement obviously, but if a man is truly motivated to learn the language of the ladies he is pursuing, I can't imagine discouraging him from doing so, there are benefits.


Fathertime!

absolutely, looking back it's about the only thing I could've done differently, would've done differently. There's no science to any of this madness but it wouldn't have hurt anything.

[ML]

I don't think it is a requirement obviously, but if a man is truly motivated to learn the language of the ladies he is pursuing, I can't imagine discouraging him from doing so, there are benefits.

As in most everything in life, one can do a cost/benefit analysis.

Of course there can be benefits to learning the language of your spouse.

But many of you keep ignoring the costs.

The cost is we each have a limited amount of time.

Time can be used to further one's education, advance in one's profession, look to new business opportunities, etc.

A marriage and raising children is costly, no matter where the spouse is from, but is more costly with a foreign born spouse.

Now think of the man who proudly tells everyone he can understand some of what his wife's grandmother is saying . . . if he only had the money to go there.

Or the man who says his foreign wife is divorcing him because she is unhappy with the amount of money  available for what she considers necessities . . . and he says . . . I am surprised at this because I showed my respect for her by using all my spare time to learn her language, instead of positioning myself to earn more money.

[Boethius]

If a wife is divorcing her husband because of lack of money, she wasn't much of a wife to begin with.

Learning a language changes the way your brain networks, making them function more efficiently.  You don't need fluency to get that benefit, either.

[2tallbill]

Yes, but dragonkid has stated he wants to be fluent in Russian.

I would love to be fluent in Russian but it's not going to happen. These things
are easy to want but very difficult to achieve.

[Boethius]

I have never met a foreigner who speaks Russian fluently.  Many speak Russian well, but not fluently.  The better half says the same.  However, if someone wants to speak well, they can do so after a couple of years of study.

[Larry1]

I would be more inclined to give some credence to the opinions of people who have become proficient in Russian. 

I grew up in a home that was extremely congenial to foreign languages. My father had majored in a foreign language at university and later traveled around the world. While driving me to elementary school he would teach me words and phrases of various languages.  There were books in foreign languages on our bookshelves.

I took classes in a foreign language all four years of high school and by my senior year was the best student in my school, good enough to get a year's worth of credits by taking the Advanced Placement Exam. I actually tried to learn Russian during my high school days. The school didn't offer Russian classes, but a family friend who was a professor got me a Russian textbook and workbook for my birthday. I found it impossible to learn the language on my own without a teacher.

One of my majors at university was a foreign language. I also studied a bit of Latin there.  I had always been able to learn languages fairly easily. But learning Russian without a teacher is extremely difficult. And when I  say learning I don't mean learning very basic grammar. I mean becoming proficient in the language.

I signed up for an introductory Russian class at a nearby college, but, as I am told pretty much always happens, the college cancelled the class because of insufficient interest. Too few people signed up for it.

If you're prepared to spend several hours a day for several years studying Russian and find a good teacher, either at a local university or by skype, you might have a chance of becoming proficient in Russian.

[Larry1]

If a wife is divorcing her husband because of lack of money, she wasn't much of a wife to begin with.

True, but from what I've seen it's common.

[Boethius]

Can't say I have much sympathy.  He chose her for beauty, she him, for money.  The union is likely to fail when one or the other disappears.

[Изумруд]

I have never met a foreigner who speaks Russian fluently.  Many speak Russian well, but not fluently.  The better half says the same.  However, if someone wants to speak well, they can do so after a couple of years of study.

I think the intricacies of the Russian case system and the complexity of the verbs make it very difficult for foreigners to learn Russian fluently, but Russian people are usually very accomodating when you try to converse with them in their own language.  They don't expect you to get the word endings right; in fact, you hear Russians themselves make mistakes occasionaly.  A friend of mine once showed me a drawing he did when he was a child and it had the Russian YA like our R.  

[BillyB]

Yes, but dragonkid has stated he wants to be fluent in Russian.

He has two thing going for him to be successful learning the language. He has the desire and he is young. Young people's minds are like sponges and absorb things easier when learning. Can't teach an old dog new trick applies to the rest of us here.

[SANDRO43]

There are actually 5 the same: A, K, M, O, T

There are actually 6: KOMETA .

[SANDRO43]

...he is young. Young people's minds are like sponges and absorb things easier when learning.

BillyB, he'd have to be MUCH younger than he is for that to apply, say under 10.

[BillyB]

BillyB, he'd have to be MUCH younger than he is for that to apply, say under 10.

I think age 3 is best when it comes to learning.

There are tons of FSU immigrants where I live. There are tons of other immigrants. If they come to America as a small child, they won't have an accent when speaking English. As they get older the accent gets heavier and the ability to comprehend and speak English diminishes. Old people have the hardest time learning English and some never grasp it enough to speak it. Dragonkid is in a lot better position to learn a new language at the basic level or master it than most of us.

[dragonkid]

I just want to learn the basics, i am not looking to spend excess amount of time on it, around 30mins per day, 5 days a week,sometimes i go to bed listening to the audiobook. I spend time listening to other sort of audio books,psychology,economics,investments, and business .I Just got out of a call to my russian friend that lasted 2 hours (lots of talking about fsuw mentality, straight from the source), she told me she has been sending my voice recordings to her bf as motivation to learn Russia, looks like i am already becoming the annoying thorn for some guys  I doubt i will ever master russian, not my intention to do so.

Interesting that some of you talk about things we could do that are more productive. i had a conversation with a friend earlier today, the way i see it and him, if you got over $1m, and living abroad. What difference will it make having more money? is more money the only thing fsu women like in a man? I get the whole, stability thing, me and my other russian friend both agree on that, but i am getting the impression people on here believe that money is all that a woman wants. Did anyone bring up being physically healthy?

 You reach a point where money isn't as critical, yes, it will be nice to drive a tinted black lambo. But you die and leave everything you don't spend, even the things you do buy, isn't as valuable as time. I remember reading a post on another forum, thread was about "what is your net worth?", guys that had the highest net worths, often said, they wish they could trade it all back for their youth. You can make money, but not time, ml talked about cost/benefit ratio, work out your cost/benefit ratio for time also. I am not saying go spend every penny you have, but long term investments, and living off the power of compound interest, and going and spending time in fsu would benefit some on here.

[ML]

, the way i see it and him, if you got over $1m, and living abroad. What difference will it make having more money?

Hey, don't obfuscate . . . I have repeated several times that if the guy is actually going to live in the FSU full time, then that is a different ballgame regarding learning the language.

And, I always talked about not sacrificing establishing additional earnings power to learn a language that would be used a minuscule amount of time.  This was obviously aimed at those who were still in the needed accumulation stage . . . not at someone who had already accumulated 'enough,' if there is such a thing.

[Anotherkiwi]

So they've got 34 letters in their alphabet, and only four are actually the same as the English letters, but so what?

There are actually 5 the same: A, K, M, O, T.

There are actually 6: KOMETA .

Sorry, but I disagree.  I'll agree that A, K, M and T are always pronounced exactly the same as in English (those are my four).  O is not the same because, although it's sometimes pronounced the same as an O in English, it is normally pronounced as an A.  E is definitely not the same because it is pronounced as YE.  The backwards E (Э) is much closer to the English E.

[dragonkid]

Hey, don't obfuscate . . . I have repeated several times that if the guy is actually going to live in the FSU full time, then that is a different ballgame regarding learning the language.

And, I always talked about not sacrificing establishing additional earnings power to learn a language that would be used a minuscule amount of time.  This was obviously aimed at those who were still in the needed accumulation stage . . . not at someone who had already accumulated 'enough,' if there is such a thing.

I didn't aim this at yourself, you clearly know what you are talking about. But if we are giving advice out, i think majority of people on here, would benefit from understand that acquiring a few extra million isn't going to change your life drastically. Lets not imply a woman leaves because you have $1.5m, instead of $3.5m, as long as your have stability, the rest is determined by your personality. If someone is looking to spend time there, maybe learning the language isn't too bad, you open the door to a lot more women.

[fathertime]

Huge waste of time to learn any language other than English . . . unless you are going to live and work full-time in a country where English is not the language.

If you are planning to pursue foreign women from anywhere in the world . . . far better to use any spare time you have to increase your business (or whatever your profession) education and your earning power.

If you want to show that you respect and are interested in the history and culture of a country . . . study the history and culture of that country.

You are are entitled to the opinion, but it is a blanket statement covering all languages, and it is mistaken.  FOR YOU, it may have been a huge waste of time, but others have different situations they deal with, and learning a foreign language isn't hard to do for some people.  In general, people should do things they are motivated to do. If a man couldn't care less about learning the foreign language of his spouse then he is spinning his wheels to try to do something he doesn't even care to do, so don't bother in that case.  You HAVE to be motivated, or do something else.  Same goes for other pursuits, if a man is already adequately earning, and isn't that motivated to make the effort to earn more, then don't bother getting the PHD or make investments in that area.    It isn't necessarily about showing respect as you mentioned, it is about being a part of the family as much as is possible.


  For some, that isn't really important because there are no kids involved, and there will be very limited contact with other relatives....for others there will be all sorts of ties now and into the distant future, and the want and even need for communication will be much greater. 


Fathertime! 

[fathertime]

As in most everything in life, one can do a cost/benefit analysis.

Of course there can be benefits to learning the language of your spouse.

But many of you keep ignoring the costs.

The cost is we each have a limited amount of time.

Time can be used to further one's education, advance in one's profession, look to new business opportunities, etc.

A marriage and raising children is costly, no matter where the spouse is from, but is more costly with a foreign born spouse.

The cost benefit analysis is a good way to look at most anything.  In some cases, the cost isn't that much, and the benefits are totally worth it.  I don't think many optimize their time anyway...or even want to.  Mountains could be moved if we did, but a little enjoyment and smelling of the roses is good enough for most....Ability to talk/laugh with extended family on a few week yearly vacation is one of those times....otherwise you may be thought of as the strange mute guy to many of the closest family members....  I say for those so inclined, go 'all in' as much as you are feel you should and can!


Fathertime!   

[SANDRO43]

Sorry, but I disagree.  I'll agree that A, K, M and T are always pronounced exactly the same as in English (those are my four). O is not the same because, although it's sometimes pronounced the same as an O in English, it is normally pronounced as an A.  E is definitely not the same because it is pronounced as YE.  The backwards E (Э) is much closer to the English E.

I was referring to written, not spoken, letters . The number becomes higher (16, 11 with the same sound) if one compares the Cyrillic with the Greek alphabet - unsurprisingly, given the former's origin.

[Trenchcoat]

There are big benefits to learning the foreign language of your spouse.  For example, when at a family outing in the foreign country, as the husband you are actually a part of the outing, interacting with sisters, Mother in Law, cousins, friends...or the other option is to stand around like a grinning monkey, being spoon fed the play by play of what is being said.  Another example, when your child is being spoken to in the foreign language by Grandmother or Uncle, it is nice to know what is being said and participate, rather than looking dumbfounded like an ignorant shaved ape.    I don't think it is a requirement obviously, but if a man is truly motivated to learn the language of the ladies he is pursuing, I can't imagine discouraging him from doing so, there are benefits.


Fathertime!

I agree, the reality is that many that set out to learn a foreign language few will get anywhere near mastering. However, even a grasp of the basics can open up a new understanding where otherwise it is like being blind to the world and goings on around you. Even if you don't interact in Russian understanding the gist of what is being said is reassuring rather than being completely in the dark and relying on any feedback offered by the girl. That and some girls grasp of English is not great either so if you can understand a spattering of Russian even simple words, odd phrase, then this can ease the way, plus gives you access to girls other guys may pass over.

[Изумруд]

There are actually 6: KOMETA .

Yes, but E is pronounced YE; if we're counting letters that are actually in the English alphabet but with different sounds, then we can also add: B, H, P, C, Y and X. 

[Изумруд]

Sorry, but I disagree.  I'll agree that A, K, M and T are always pronounced exactly the same as in English (those are my four).  O is not the same because, although it's sometimes pronounced the same as an O in English, it is normally pronounced as an A.  E is definitely not the same because it is pronounced as YE.  The backwards E (Э) is much closer to the English E.

O is only pronounced O if it is stressed; hence the last O in молоко is stressed as an O while the first 2 are pronounced like an A.  However, if you go to the southern parts of Russia like Krasnodar, all the O's are pronounced like O's.  I think this may also be true in parts of Ukraine, but I'd refer to Bo's expertise to confirm that.