Has anyone learned Russian?

[Canerican]

Hi everybody. I am about to start to try to realize my dream of reading D in Russian. But first I must learn the language. Now, has anyone learned in? I speak English and French fluently, and I can speak Spanish slightly, so languages can't be a terrible problem, but I have heard that Russian is exceptionally difficult.

Has anyone done this? My university offers Russian courses, so I would do it that way - but is it possible for a non-native to become quite fluent in Russian?

[Scoundrel]

Of course you can learn any language you choose... all it takes is daily practice, like learning anything... but Russian has a different alphabet so that makes it harder... I haven't learned it or tried to, but it's a worthy task

[Canerican]

I know about the alphabet, but I have also learned tenses and genders are a bit odd... I am also willing to learn Ukrainian, if anyone has experience with either I am interested.

[lerik]

Hello Canerican!


Well, I think that Russian should not be too difficult. True, the alphabet is different and grammar is quite hard but I think it's worth a try. Plus, since I am a native Russian speaker I can always help out.

As for Ukranian, I really want to learn it too. It sounds really funny actuall for a native Russian speaker.

[Autolycus]

I am actually just about to begin a Russian class at my college, and I have the same dream you have. As of now, I'm only fluent in English (obviously) and American Sign Language. So, this will be a whole new world for me. You, on the other hand, should take to it quite quickly.

I've had many people attempt to discourage me from taking Russian, saying it is too hard or too foreign, but it has yet to deter my determination.

I suggest you take the class and begin your own research. Nothing is better than being extra prepared.

I wish you the best of luck!

[Mikkiella]

I would love to learn Russian!! I heard that once the alphabet is learnt it can be picked up fairly quickly (and sometimes makes more sense than English pronounciations!) I am not sure how true this is, but you will have to let us know!

Good luck to everyone who is going to go for it! 

[ivans_nightmare]

I am a college student and I major in Russian studies. After one year of Russian language classes every day of the week, I would say that Russian is a very difficult language to learn for English speakers. The alphabet is not particularly hard to master, but the grammar and syntax are very different. Many ways of saying things are simply constructed very differently than they are in English. Unfortunately, I doubt that fluency in other languages helps much unless they are other Eastern European languages, which are often very similar. After one year, I know essentially all of the basics, though I often have to process it in my brain for a few moments before I am able to speak. I would estimate that it takes about two years of intensive study (i.e. every day), plus time spent with fluent (native) speakers to become proficient in Russian, though an English speaker may study it their entire life and never understand the near-endless intricacies of the language. This is partly what makes Russian such a rich language. I hope this helps anyone interested in learning Russian have an appreciation for the difficult undertaking, but doesn't deter anyone from trying. It's a wonderful language and culture in which to immerse yourself!