French or Russian?

[Smoke]

The worst part about Russian is that it is ****** up. Seriously! There are six different noun declensions, meaning that the ends of nouns change depending on where they are in the sentence. For example the word "car" has the forms: Машина, Машину, Машины, Машине, Машиной, Машинам, Машинах, Машинами. Not to mention that each verb has a perfect and imperfect aspect, which may not be related in an significant way Брать (imperfect) and Взять (perfect).

I have a fairly good ear for language, but I have trouble with Russian's soft and hard consonants.

 

[Valjean]

Russian: Hard for a native English speaker to learn and largely confined to Russia -- though Russia is a big place. Learn Russian and you'll likely spend your career in Russia &/or dealing with Russians.
French is easier to learn and is much more widespread -- France planted colonies all over the world. It's also widely spoken as a second language by businessmen, diplomats, scientists, &c. I expect you'd have a wider field of job opportunities.

So, Moscow or Tahiti?

 

[Darkness]

I have a fairly good ear for language, but I have trouble with Russian's soft and hard consonants.

You are not alone. It is very hard to discern the difference, because they are basically the same sound.

Russian: Hard for a native English speaker to learn and largely confined to Russia -- though Russia is a big place. Learn Russian and you'll likely spend your career in Russia &/or dealing with Russians.
French is easier to learn and is much more widespread -- France planted colonies all over the world. It's also widely spoken as a second language by businessmen, diplomats, scientists, &c. I expect you'd have a wider field of job opportunities.

So, Moscow or Tahiti?

Well, it might be good to spend some time in Moscow. I feel like living in a where people are more communitarian, would do me some good. For example, Russians are very hospitable, inviting business partners and even acquaintances over to their home, for dinner. And I think living in an area that is less economically viable than the United States would give me more perspective on life. That being said, I am not so sure I would want to spend my life living in Russia. I rather live for an extended period of time in a city like Paris, than Moscow - perhaps. I definitely want to keep my options open in case America goes to hell and I want to bail.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

So, Moscow or Tahiti?

Well, if you put it like that, I'd have to say that Bora Bora would definitely be the better option.

Switch my vote to French.

 

[Hevenly Heathen]

Flip a coin

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Sage advice.

 

[Magic Man]

I need some advice from all my friends, here. First my situation: I am a Political Science major with a concentration in international relations at my University. Being the economy is in stagnation in my country (United States) and is expected to maintain high levels of unemployment for years to come, I am considering doing a PH.D. in politics. I would get a small salary, maybe free living on campus and access to a cheap health insurance plan. In order to do a PH.D. in International Relations, however, you are expected to be fluent in a foreign language. For the last year I have been teaching myself Russian, because I am fascinated by Eastern Europe. However, I have been struggling and my University does not offer a Russian language program. Thus, I have a two-year window to be able to understand a second language reasonably well. If I have to teach myself a second language, should I aim for an easier language such as French or stick with the Russian being I am already into it? Does anybody here speak French?

I can't speak to the political implications, but this is really up to you. If you think you can learn Russian well enough on your own for your purposes, go for it. If you feel that learning a language in a class would help you greatly, go that route. I speak French, and some Russian. Russian is my favorite language, and I've studied probably 10-12 different ones. I would say for an English speaker, French will be much easier to learn, especially if you have no experience with Latin or Greek.

I would think the possibilities with French are much more plentiful, though, seeing as how it's a major European language, and one that is spoken also in Canada and parts of Africa.

 

[Caladan]

As pointed earlier, French is used in a more varied and widespread context globally, by international organizations such as the UN, NATO, UNESCO, and the red cross. it is also an official language in 28 countries.
but if Russian is what's doing it to you... sometimes that's enough.

 

[katiafish]

В Русском языке много французких корней, потому что Российская аристокрация отказалась говорить на "холопском" языке и в основном говорила по французки.

Зачем вообще выбирать, продолжай учить русский. Если нужна помощь, я русская, спрашивай, помогу.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

В Русском языке много французких корней, потому что Российская аристокрация отказалась говорит на "холопском" языке и в основном говорила по французки.

Зачем вообще выбирать, продолжай учить русский. Если нужна помощь, я русская, спрашивай, помогу.

A fine offer of assistance.

 

[Magic Man]

В Русском языке много французких корней, потому что Российская аристокрация отказалась говорит на "холопском" языке и в основном говорила по французки.

Зачем вообще выбирать, продолжай учить русский. Если нужна помощь, я русская, спрашивай, помогу.

This is true, although there are a lot of words that derive from Latin that are the same or very, very similar in English and French. Also, French is much, much closer to English grammatically.

I'll have to keep you in mind as a reference for Russian.

 

[dust1n]

The worst part about Russian is that it is ****** up. Seriously! There are six different noun declensions, meaning that the ends of nouns change depending on where they are in the sentence. For example the word "car" has the forms: Машина, Машину, Машины, Машине, Машиной, Машинам, Машинах, Машинами. Not to mention that each verb has a perfect and imperfect aspect, which may not be related in an significant way Брать (imperfect) and Взять (perfect).

Reminds me of spanish, except with verbs in conjunction with the noun.

I like.
Yo gusto.

You like.
Tu' gustas.

He/She likes.
El/Ella gusta.

We like.
Nosotros gustamos.

Ya'l/You all (yes that pronoun exists) like.
Vosotroa gusta'is.

They like.
Ellos gustan.

See, every language but English has pretty complex grammer.


Though, you seem to UNDERSTAND this in Russian, so it's just a matter of time before it all pays off. Your explanation of the grammer well was stated.

Plus, secret agents, English or Russian, can not resist an American speaking Russian! Source: Goldeneye.

French will be significantly easier than Russian, so just get Russian out of the way, and French should be nothing.

 

[dust1n]

В Русском языке много французких корней, потому что Российская аристокрация отказалась говорить на "холопском" языке и в основном говорила по французки.

Зачем вообще выбирать, продолжай учить русский. Если нужна помощь, я русская, спрашивай, помогу.

Though I have to say, the actual alphabet is incredibly ugly.

 

[katiafish]

In your humble opinion, lol

 

[Magic Man]

Yeah, I happen to think the alphabet is quite pretty. I like the way it looks, as well as sounds.

 

[Smoke]

Though I have to say, the actual alphabet is incredibly ugly.

It's not as beautiful as the Greek, but it's closer to it than the Latin is.

 

[Gabethewiking]

It's not as beautiful as the Greek, but it's closer to it than the Latin is.

One word:

Hard to Beat in Style...

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Not to be too technical, but I believe that that is five words.

 

[Gabethewiking]

Not to be too technical, but I believe that that is five words.

No, "one word" metaphorically.. Cheezes..

 

[Smoke]

Hard to Beat in Style...

True. Egyptian hieroglyphics were beautiful, too. But for style and function ...