4th February 2013
The accessibility of language
After I found out I was coming to Belarus, I soon discovered that there was the Belarusian, as well as the Russian, language. Unfortunately, the British tax payer can only afford to pay for me to learn one language, and that is Russian.
I’ve learnt a few words of Belarusian. I’ve enjoyed the months: Студзень (studzien or “cold” for January) has just finished, and we’ve entered Люты (luty “frosty”, or February). My favourite is November “Лiстапад” (Listapad) – “leaf fall”, the sort of poetic word that is easy to remember. But, confusingly, Listopad is October in some other Slavic languages, presumably a left over from the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar.
English is a hybrid language: of “old English” rooted from the Anglo-Saxons who came to the British Isles from what is today Germany in the fifth century AD; and French, brought over by the Normans after 1066. English has also assimilated words from many other languages, so that the lexicon is very wide.
Despite its success in the world, English still isn’t the only language spoken in Britain. About half a million still speak Welsh in Wales, and there are small communities who speak Scottish Gaelic in north-west Scotland and Cornish in south-west England. We sometimes call these regions the “Celtic fringe” of Britain.
Over the Christmas and New Year holiday, I read a biography of Pushkin. Although he may be “the founder of modern Russian literature”, his work is not as well known to British readers as Tolstoy or Chekov. That may be because it is difficult to capture all the meaning of his verse in translation, or that fewer people read poetry, especially nineteenth century poetry, but prefer reading novels instead.
The biography told me that Pushkin read Byron’s poetry in the original English, and Byron influenced Pushkin’s work, especially Eugene Onegin. I couldn’t find any references to show that Pushkin actually spoke English. He knew the British ambassador in St Petersburg, but they apparently conversed in French.
I wonder what Pushkin would have made of the primacy of the English language today? I can imagine he would be frustrated with the pronunciation. Unfortunately, English is not a phonetic language – the pronunciation doesn’t follow the spelling. My frustration in trying to improve my Russian is “ударение”, the stress in pronouncing a word, especially understanding when it changes.
Just as Pushkin read Byron, so I hope readers in Belarus will gain a better understanding of my country as a result of reading this blog. One great advantage of English is that words rarely change; for example nearly all words in the plural end in “s”, and grammar is straightforward. In that respect, English is very accessible, especially reading it. But, as an English speaker, I would say that, wouldn’t I?
Thank you very much for your reply and your personal attention!!!
Dear Bruce,
I’d like you to ask: is there in Belarus some kind of an English-speaking community? For people who speak the English language it would be a great chance to communicate with native speakers. Is there a chance to participate in international programs?
Hello Tatyana: some language schools in Minsk host “English clubs”, where people talk in English in an informal environment with native speakers. We’d like to advertise more of these events via our Facebook page.
Dear Bruce,
In your photo you look rather shocked to find yourself in Belarus. Is that the case?
No, just disappointed at how old I look in the mirror.
Лiстапад is my favorite month name, too! And I learned the other day that лютый also means “fierce.” 🙂 Looking forward to reading more!
Bruce,
I greatly enjoyed your first post, although I am rather biased since I devoted my Masters thesis to ‘language politics’ and language as an identifier in both Belarus and Ukraine. It is interesting that you reference Pushkin, as I have been working with a colleague of mine in comparing English translations of several of his poems from across the ages and the world. Which one sounds the most ‘beautiful’? Which is the most ‘accurate’? How do the lengths of translations compare? It’s a fascinating project, and I am so excited to be a part of it. It is nice to honor the ‘founder of modern Russian literature’ in this way. I will certainly pass along some of the deemed ‘better’ translations for a British opinion!
One of my favorite Belarusian words is ‘batika’ which is translated to ‘father’ in the context of being the ‘elder father of a village’ or the ‘father of a nation’. The Belarusian words for the months are representative of the beauty and melodic style of the language, in my opinion.
Keep up the good work, and the posts!
All the best,
LA
Dear Bruce
As a fellow British person, now residing – and hoping to remain – in Belarus I was interested in your learning of the Russian Language. I was more akin to wondering if there was a list of people at the Embassy living in Belarus (preferably native speakers) who might teach the Russian language and are fluent in English. Currently, I am residing in Zhabinka, near Brest. I’m not certain that you have such a list of people but if you have a particular contact that might know someone who knows someone who does would you please pass this information to me?
Kindest regards
Trevor James
Hi Trevor
I too lived in Belarus and to be honest found that the best way to learn Russian was by osmosis. Minsk has lots of English speakers compared to where you are. Surround yourself with Russian speakers and get a good set of Language CDs listening over and over again so that the basics sink in. Its a tough language as is so far removed from English, but just relax, listen and before too long you will understand much more than you thought you ever would.
Good luck
Bruce Ogilvie
Trevor, as a Brit who DID learn Swedish and French and DIDNT learn Russian despite spending most of the last 8 years in Belarus and Ukraine, i recommend NOT to find a teacher who speaks fluent english or spend too much time with english speakers (as i have) as thats the way to fail and what i’ve done differently here to what i did in Sweden and Belgium/France.
Sorry – we don’t have a list of English speaking Russian teachers. Another way of improving your language would be to find someone to speak Russian with who wants to improve their English. So you meet and speak each language for half an hour or so. I have found this type of language exchange or “обмен языка” to be good practice (indeed, I should do more).
Dear Sir Bruce Bucknell,
1st. of all my honest and big CONGRATULATIONS for your courage to “open this new door” to Belarus. I do guess that it isn ´t all but easy and there ´s hard work behind the curtains. Nevertheless : The topic is about “LANGUAGES”. That ´s why I wanna be honest and do admit that I even don ´t speak Russian. Only some necessary basics. And Belarussian ? To my shame I have to write that I ´ve failed . Failed completely. But there is also one point in your proper and excellent “Maiden – Article” of which I only can do full agree : As an Welsh-German I do know too that English is a beautiful but a hyprid language.And cause I had to speak/listen to French in my former job, I just love ENGLISH- but I do have my problems with some US-“English”-Slang. But your article is to me also like a small but extraordinary history book. So full of infos not only about the way of how we do speak today-but also a perfect “Time-Capsule”/”Time-Machine” to England, Scotland or Wales/Cymru – only just 100 ´s of years ago. (“Celtic fringe of Britain” , “5th Century A.D.” ).Esp. interesting to me was your “Literature – Chapter”. I.e.: So far I didn ´t know that Pushkin read Lord Byron ´s biography in original English. Today – in our internet , twitter and facebook time age nearly unbelievable. To conclude : I wish you a lot of readers and success. Looking forward to read from you again to receive more background-infos. As an Welsh-German native language speaker wouldn´t I ? BW + Hawyl Faur , Ingo-Steven Wais, Stuttgart/Wuerttemberg
Thank you for your kind comments.