Friday, August 01, 2003
Russian 2.0
It's hoppin', it's happenin', it's in fashion, ... it's Tallinn! (Estonia that is.)
Oh boy have I missed smiles from strangers. I didn't know how important they were to my every day survival until they were gone (ie: I found myself in Russia). I'm not some needy, affection crazed nut; I don't require Thailand levels of conversational pleasantries (ie: uhhh... No... where I come from, it's not polite to grab that). I just enjoy, and react to, a good ol' smile.
It's amazing, but this warm reception spoken 'pah-Roosky' (in Russian) has completely confused my brain's ability to process this language. I'm not sure why it took me so long to notice, but I have just realized that the tone of Russian in Saint Petersburg is a lot like an exasperated six year old who's desperately trying to explain to a paralyzed and awestruck adult why it's perfectly fine that they spray painted your new car with some "more pertyer cahlars." Complete this image with the eye rolling and head bobbing, and you get a sense of how the Russian language comes across to the foreigner who made the mistake of asking an old lady for directions. I should be fair though, it's not an overtly aggressive thing. This Baba (grandma) wouldn't hit you with her hand bag or anything, that would require to much energy (from her) and interest (in you).
I guess the point is, during my first week in Russia, I discovered that, largely, these people are a stoic, private, and stubborn people. Although I didn't see it at the time, now I'm sure that it was revealed in how they used their language.
The Estonians speak perfect Russian, and why wouldn't they? These people have been under Russian occupation for more than a few hundred years of the last Millennia. However, when I cut the Russian language out of the context of Russian people and paste it on the Estonians, it begins to seem really strange. I no longer feel the need to bear my fangs when I produce a "cheh", or curl my lip when I roll my "R". I like that.
I'm learning a new language: "Russian version 2.0" Nicer, friendlier, and definitely much more Estonian.
It's hoppin', it's happenin', it's in fashion, ... it's Tallinn! (Estonia that is.)
Oh boy have I missed smiles from strangers. I didn't know how important they were to my every day survival until they were gone (ie: I found myself in Russia). I'm not some needy, affection crazed nut; I don't require Thailand levels of conversational pleasantries (ie: uhhh... No... where I come from, it's not polite to grab that). I just enjoy, and react to, a good ol' smile.
It's amazing, but this warm reception spoken 'pah-Roosky' (in Russian) has completely confused my brain's ability to process this language. I'm not sure why it took me so long to notice, but I have just realized that the tone of Russian in Saint Petersburg is a lot like an exasperated six year old who's desperately trying to explain to a paralyzed and awestruck adult why it's perfectly fine that they spray painted your new car with some "more pertyer cahlars." Complete this image with the eye rolling and head bobbing, and you get a sense of how the Russian language comes across to the foreigner who made the mistake of asking an old lady for directions. I should be fair though, it's not an overtly aggressive thing. This Baba (grandma) wouldn't hit you with her hand bag or anything, that would require to much energy (from her) and interest (in you).
I guess the point is, during my first week in Russia, I discovered that, largely, these people are a stoic, private, and stubborn people. Although I didn't see it at the time, now I'm sure that it was revealed in how they used their language.
The Estonians speak perfect Russian, and why wouldn't they? These people have been under Russian occupation for more than a few hundred years of the last Millennia. However, when I cut the Russian language out of the context of Russian people and paste it on the Estonians, it begins to seem really strange. I no longer feel the need to bear my fangs when I produce a "cheh", or curl my lip when I roll my "R". I like that.
I'm learning a new language: "Russian version 2.0" Nicer, friendlier, and definitely much more Estonian.
Comments:
Post a Comment
