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There are many foreign languages that are popular among people such as German, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, etc. Amidst all these popular languages we are going to talk about the less explored yet powerful language Russian. The opportunities and scope of the Russian language, and some irresistible reasons to learn the Russian language in India.
Russia has always been a close ally of India; both counterparts have backed each other in hard times. Following our diplomats and foreign policies it’s nevertheless to say that both countries’ citizens have an edge over other nations and so there are various reasons to learn the Russian language in India.
As the world entered into globalisation, people came across cross-border cultures directly or indirectly. The MNC, FDI, and FII cultures have opened doors of opportunities for different countries. This is an era where economies are coming closer every day. It emerges the need to know cross-state languages.
1. Business Opportunities
Russia has the world’s 9th largest economy. It runs on the abundance of resources it has. After Western sanctions were imposed on Russia due to the Ukraine- Russia war, business opportunities for Indians in Russia have increased.
Russia is ready to give incentives for Indian businessmen to invest in their market. In the year 2022-23, Delhi’s imports have remarkably increased from Moscow, it’s the 5th largest trade partner now.
One of the reasons to learn the Russian language in India is because you have to deal with local people. There is scope in different market segments like metallurgy, chemicals, pharmacy and drugs, fishing, timber, and furniture. For doing business In Russia, it’s advisable one should know the native language.
2. Engineering, Defence, and Technical Advancements
There is no doubt that Russia has always had an upper hand in terms of defense, space programs, research, and engineering. We all have witnessed their advanced fighter planes, missiles; naval ships. Infect it’s India’s primary defence equipment import partner.
In this field, there is an ocean of opportunities for Indians. Even if we are shareholding the companies.
One of the other reasons to learn the Russian language in India is because it gives an upper edge to senior government officials. As it’s also a favorite foreign language of diplomats and bureaucrats.
3. Cultural Exchange
There have been numerous cultural links between India and Russia since 1400. To know about one’s culture one has to be proficient with the language of the state at first because it meets with the soul of people and it’s needless to say that emotions can’t be translated.
This cultural exchange helps in knowing the people of the state and when you know the people from its core, your business, and services run smoothly there.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart”.
Nelson Mandela
The rich cultural values of both countries are the bedrock behind the strong diplomatic relationship and thus it’s among the reasons to learn the Russian language in India and deal with our strategic partner in their language.
4. Higher studies opportunities
Since Russia is highly advanced in research, shipbuilding, space programs, and medical science. It provides a great opportunity for higher studies.
For a foreign degree in your resume, Russia can definitely be an option. Especially for medical science, it’s very pocket-friendly in Russia to get an effective higher education.
5. For travel enthusiasts
If you are a travel enthusiast, the large landmass of Russia is definitely your place to explore. From local attractions to trying local cuisines you will require their native language everywhere.
Besides this every year a number of Russians come to India to explore our place our culture, and our handloom industry. If you are Russian proficient it can help you in making money as a tourist guide, hospitality industry, travel agent, etc.
6. Get to know the best literary works ever
Leo Tolstoy, Ivan Turgenev, Alexander Pushkin, and Fyodor Dostoevsky are some renowned names in Russian literature. Some of their great works from the golden era of Russian literature include – War and Peace, Eugene Onegin, The Brothers Karamazov, Dead Souls, The Queen of Spades, and more.
If you are into literature and have yet to read these literary works you are really missing out on something! To understand the soul and heart of these texts, you must be familiar enough with the native language.
7. Easy immigration to Russia
If you are looking to move out of the country but stay connected with your roots, Russia should definitely be on your bucket list.
After two years of temporary citizenship, you can get a five-year citizenship. Just clear your TORFL (Test of Russian as Foreign Language) and you must have a clean background (no criminal records) in India.
For Indian immigrants, it’s more a necessity than some other reasons to learn the Russian language in India.
8. Base of other Slavic languages
One of the advantages of learning Russian is that it is quite similar to other Slavic languages spoken in Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, etc.
Even many people prefer to speak Russian there as it was the language of the USSR earlier. So once you are done with Russian, consider it done with other Slavic states.
If you are Indian and planning to reach out to these nations as a student, traveler, literary person, etc. In any of these countries, it’s a foremost reason to learn the Russian language in India and it can help you a lot.
9. One of the most spoken language
To your surprise, it is the 7th most spoken language in the world, nearly 147 million people speak Russian as their native language.
It gives a number of reasons to learn the Russian language in India because the Russian language got the benefit of the early USSR. Most Balto-Slavic and Slavic nations use this language as their preferred language.
So once you learn Russian you have options to look forward to other Slavic states.
10. Language of past and future
It was only after World War II that a new hegemony of languages came to be known. They challenged the scientific and diplomatic supremacy of Russia over the world.
Today, we know world history from only one perspective. To know different perspectives of the world’s intellects we get to know the different languages and Russian is among strong contenders.
The reasons to learn the Russian language in India here become important because it’s the most reliable strategic partner of India and in history, Russia has played a crucial role in claiming its supremacy.
Russia rejected the rumours spread that it would bring high unemployment, and high inflation in Moscow and the state would suffer from a financial crisis after Western sanctions and support to Ukraine from NATO states.
It is important to understand the language of native intellectuals to understand the political gimmick and diplomacy of Western countries
11. It’s an easy language
Few elements in every language always seem stiff. So it would be an injustice to specify Russian as a ‘tough to learn’ language. The reason it’s just because you want to, is among the reasons to learn the Russian language in India.
If you closely observe this language you come across some new facts. For example, there is no rule of syntax and no complex vocabulary in Russian. It requires two to three words to describe any statement in Russian than English. That means less effort!!
12. Secret Code- it’s fun reason
One of the reasons to learn the Russian language in India can be fruitful is because Russian seems a mystery to most people. It uses a Cyrillic script for its 33 alphabets.
The message written in Russian is not too easy to decode for laymen because of the unavailability of Russian keyboards abroad. The message is translated into the Latin language. So next time you want to keep it secret! go with Russian!
Conclusion
Considering it is a tough nut to crack people opt out of other languages which are easier to learn but it might not give you the edge. Russian translation in media is not always the same as it’s phrased in the Russian language.
These reasons for learning the Russian language in India give you a win-win situation if you want to stay in India or move out to Russia or to some other Slavic nation for your business, studies, or travel purposes. After all, who doesn’t want to stand out among the flocks? Right!
Platforms to learn the Russian language in India
In India, dozens of institutes provide bachelor’s courses in the Russian language. Henry Harvin provides such a course that too at your comfy place i.e online. It helps you structure your proficiency level for TORFL (Test of Russian as Foreign Language). Its 9-in-1 course gives you all the reasons to learn the Russian language in India.
Course name
9 in-1 course from Henry Harvin
Checkout this video for more information
Recommended Reads:
- 12 Reasons to Learn the Russian Language in India
- 17 Best Books to Learn Russian For Beginners in 2024
- Which Foreign Language to Learn and Why?
- Scope and Career in Foreign Languages
- 6 Ways How Foreign Language Learning changes Your World
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1. What is the scope of the Russian language in India?
Ans: Once you are proficient with the Russian language you can have oceans of opportunities. For example science and tech, shipbuilding, space programs, business opportunities, higher education, medical science, literature, engineering, and not only in Russia but in other nations too.
Q 2. What is the proficiency test in the Russian language?
Ans: It’s called TORFL( Test of Russian Foreign Language)
Q 3. Can learning Russian help in other countries?
Ans: Russian is the official language of 5 UN members including, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Tajikistan. It is closely recognized in other Slavic nations such as Moldova, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine and is a minority language in China, Romania, Armenia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Mongolia.
Q 4. Is Russian hard to learn?
Ans: The Foreign Service Institute of the United States has classified it among grade four languages. If you can give your daily 3 hours it can give you a proficiency level of 1100 hours.
Q.5. Can I learn Russian by taking a self-study Russian course?
Ans: Yes. Many educational institutions offer self-paced Russian courses that you can take to learn Russian. However, consider enrolling in a live, instructor-led, interactive course to pass the competitive Russian language exam.