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[personal profile] alexpgp
In response to a recent post of mine, fellow LJer volkris asked:

Was [Russian] very difficult to learn
from English? Has knowing it been
very useful in the job market?
Obviously your current job owes a
large part to the knowledge, but did
many employers see it as a plus?

These are interesting questions, so I thought I'd answer them here, in the "main" part of my journal.

In response to the first question, there is no way to compare how "hard" a language is to learn, especially as compared to one's native tongue, though I have been on the periphery of arguments to the effect that, say, it's harder for a Finn to learn Spanish than it is for a Russian to learn Chinese.

Any language you start to learn past the age of about 10 is going to be "hard," in part because the great integrating machine that is your brain is no longer running at the warp speed it was humming at when you were 2 years old, and also because you've already developed facility in one language, which tends to amplify the feeling of slowness and awkwardness in any other language.

A good analogy here is the difference between typing using a QWERTY keyboard and a Dvorak keyboard. Despite the fact that Dvorak users consistently type faster, most people learn on QWERTY keyboards and stick with them rather than go through the "pain' of learning to type again.

The second question, about the usefulness of a second language in the job market, is trickier. I personally think a second language is extremely useful besides any facility it gives in being able to read, write, and speak in that language. Most companies give lip service to the idea of prospective employees having a second language, so it's useful there if for no other reason.

But I believe a second language, pursued with any consistent level of determination, tends to improve one's functioning in the world in general, and on at least two levels.

First, it improves one's knowledge of one's own native language. This is never a bad deal.

Second, it provides insight into how other people - other cultures, really - think, first on a linguistic level, and then on a cultural level as facility increases, and finally on a personal level as you socialize more and more with native speakers of that language. In effect, this expands your ability to think and gives you the ability to look at things with more than the set of tools that one language gives you.

My knowledge of Russian has never hurt me, though there have been times when it seemed to be of no earthly use at all. On the other hand, when it has come in handy, it's been a sweet tool.

Cheers...

Date: 2001-05-02 11:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] volkris.livejournal.com
Well, I was asking more about Russian specifically.

For instance, how long did you have to study Russian to become (semi)fluent in it? For all I know, of course, you were natively speaking it in addition to English.

And then I know that some employers, particularly here in Texas, will in particular love employees that can speak Spanish because of the proximity to Mexico and whatnot. Obviously in your specific job Russian is a great asset, but in general do you find that employers would give ability in Russian more than a "Oh, he's bilengual" thumbs up? In other words, would Russian be better to know than just any ol' second language. Or would you know?

I'm just asking all of this out of curiousity. Who knows, though, I might look into learning the language if I have enough free time in the future.

Date: 2001-05-03 09:42 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bryn.livejournal.com
Well there aren't too many Russian-speaking people around in North America, so it is unlikely that it will be viewed to be as valuable as Spanish or French. However, because it is so uncommon, knowing Russian will certainly catch an employer's eye. After having taken just one course, I have already had many people take an interest in my limited knowledge. Basically, knowing a language such as Russian will make you stand out. Furthermore, in the event that by some chance someone who knows Russian but very little English (znayet pa-russki, a znayet nemnogo pa-angliski... did I get that right or should it be russki/angliski yazik?? I always screw that up) comes to your workplace requiring assistance, you would be a huge asset. I think that as a general rule, employers like to collect workers who, in addition to knowing the usual French and Spanish, know a variety of other languages. So go for it, but learn some more basic stuff, too.

Date: 2001-05-03 05:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alexpgp.livejournal.com
You're right about how Russian helps you stand out, particularly when compared with Spanish, French, and most other European languages (German and Italian foremost).

I would disagree, though, with your characterization of employers and their attitudes toward languages. In my experience, unless there is a specific reason to seek particular language skills, having them is nothing more than a bonus for the boss. I know of no "mainstream" organizations that hire on the basis of having a variety of bilinguals on staff.

Cheers...

Date: 2001-05-03 04:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alexpgp.livejournal.com
Again, I'll defer my answer to a journal post.

Cheers...

dvorak

Date: 2001-05-11 08:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] greyhat.livejournal.com
I taught myself the dvorak keyboard a few years ago, and I never looked back. Part of the problem with querty was that I never learned to touchtype on it. I was a pretty fast hunt-and-peck typist, though.
Besides being faster and easier on my wrists, the dvorak keyboard pretty much ensures that nobody will borrow my workstation.

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