I'm going on a trip to Eastern Europe this summer, and I'm wondering which language I should try to learn. The countries I'm going to are Russia, Latvia, Germany, Czech republic, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. Which would be the best language to learn the basics in. I've started to learn a few DRussian fraises, but would German be more useful? Czech?
2007-03-16 19:50:02 · 6 answers · asked by supernatural_luver 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Maybe German, it is widely spoke in Eastern Europe by the older generation. The young people are likely to learn English and will be interested in testing their English talking to you. The generation in between may speak Russian although they do not always like it. Czech is a Slavic language and is likely to have some common vocaculary with Russian, can be useful in Poland, otherwise in Germany and the Baltic States it is likely to be useless. You could have started German earlier or try know to continue with Russian. There are some books for travellers to Eastern Europe for example from Lonely Planet, where the basics of many languages are described, you may not have the time to learn them all but they can be good at hotels or bus stations for basic situations.
2007-03-16 21:57:23 · answer #1 · answered by Reindeer Herder 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
German is much easier for English speakers to learn some phrases in. It's also very phonetic so you can guess how to say something from reading it.
Russian is also phonetic but uses a different alphabet. Learning that plus a very different linguistic structure, which includes many more case endings than German has plus unpredictable stress on most words - which German doesn't have - should make your decision easy.
However, if Russian interests you by all means study it. You won't learn it as fast as German, but it is fun.
Another consideration is that both Germany and Russia have screwed over Eastern Europe in the last century, and neither of them is very popular with the natives. Since they were the most recent culprits, Russians are still actively disliked and many people refuse to speak the language even if they were forced to learn it. You're better off with German in that regard.
2007-03-16 20:14:02 · answer #2 · answered by hznfrst 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear, I am glad that you will travel in Eastern Europe. I can assure you that in all the countries you will be understood If you speak English. Do not worry about that aspect.
By the way, Germany, Poland and some other are not Eastern European countries, but Central European ( I am telling this to be correct).
Well, If you want to acquire knowledge in a foreign language, I would suggest you to be Russian, it is wide spread and nice. Of course, that is a Slavic language, with Cyrillic alphabet.
Hope that helps!
Wish you a nice travelling!
2007-03-16 19:55:11 · answer #3 · answered by sunflower 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
German
2007-03-16 19:52:54 · answer #4 · answered by Ya-sai 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
russian
2007-03-16 20:02:13 · answer #5 · answered by JOhNe=mc² 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just stick with English....this way you can communicate with everybody !
2007-03-16 20:20:20 · answer #6 · answered by Sauerkraut 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋