French or Russian? (Advice Center) Language Learning Forum

French or Russian?
Tags: Choosing a Language \| Russian \| French
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60 messages over 8 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >>

IbanezFire
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6700 days ago
119 posts - 124 votes

Speaks: English*
Studies: Italian, Russian

Message 25 of 60

02 December 2008 at 11:08am | IP Logged

I've never liked these types of questions. In my experience the person is usually leaning more towards one language than the other and is just looking for validation for their pick, whichever language it might be.

So if you pick French it will be the right choice or if you pick Russian it will be the right choice.
1 person has voted this message useful

Sennin
Senior Member
Bulgaria
Joined 6040 days ago
1457 posts - 1759 votes

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Message 27 of 60

02 December 2008 at 11:50am | IP Logged

I think it's best if we don't try to compare the grandeur of Russian and French literature. They are both quite impressive and such a discussion is beyond the scope of this thread ( and forum ;p. )

Edited by Sennin on 02 December 2008 at 11:52am
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reineke
Senior Member
United States
https://learnalangua
Joined 6453 days ago
851 posts - 1008 votes

Studies: German

Message 28 of 60

02 December 2008 at 12:25pm | IP Logged

atamgawarui wrote:

reineke wrote:

atamgawarui wrote:

I've read thousands of books both in Russian and French. As far as literature and movies are concerned (the only reasons I learn languages), I'd definitely choose Russian.

You really gotta be a brooding egghead to dismiss French so easily, especially concerning movies and literature and especially so if you're doing it in favor of Russian. The French publish more and produce more movies. French offers more translations from other languages than any other language (German is a close second). French is the language of cartoons and comics.

Russian offers a great literature and a collection of great movies, but French wins whether you're an intellectual or simply looking for some fun.

reineke,
I'm not interested in cartoons or comics. I like French songs and a handful of writes: Proust, Saint-Exupéry, Camus and some others. Some older stuff is good, too. Seen some good movies.
As to translations, I dislike them, why should I read some second-hand minds - translators usually are. If you rely on translations to read literature, you amputate half of your soul.

But Russian literature - they are giants. Have you ever read Andrey Platonov, Gallego, Bulgokov in the original? Not to mention Tolstoy or Pushkin.

I have no doubt you would choose Russian and your reasons are good. I can understand why someone from Poland would look down on comics. Mr. Gogglehead has different criteria. However, looking at your reasons French simply offers more for MOST people. Asterix to Zola there’s more variety and fun, quality content in French than in most other languages. Russian literature blossomed late and suffered more disruptions. This helped create some great works of art but the overall effect was largely negative. Translations – French offers more translations, be it manga, Korean comics or Arabic literature. Translations expose people to other cultures and often through their imperfect nature motivate them to learn other languages. If anyone loses out it’s the people who don’t have access to this great resource.

I was forced to generalize. Individual preferences may vary.

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Sennin
Senior Member
Bulgaria
Joined 6040 days ago
1457 posts - 1759 votes

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Message 30 of 60

02 December 2008 at 3:00pm | IP Logged

You're both bullshitting big time ;p. I think the last 4-5 post should be removed, no one will miss them ^_^.
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josht
Diglot
Senior Member
United States
Joined 6452 days ago
635 posts - 857 votes

Speaks: English*, German
Studies: French, Spanish, Russian, Dutch

Message 32 of 60

02 December 2008 at 3:46pm | IP Logged

atamgawarui wrote:

Sennin wrote:

You're both bullshitting big time ;p. I think the last 4-5 post should be removed, no one will miss them ^_^.

PS
Do not worry, they'll be removed soon by the admin.
OK, enough trolling, time to bed. Pissed off enough people today. Forgive me.

(EDIT)
I've just counted: five people. Not enough, should be six. Unfortunately, I'm too tired.

(EDIT again)
I've promised so many times not to bother anyone, but somehow I cannot help it. I wonder what Vlad's mother would say about it.

Seriously, what is your problem? Don't you have something more constructive to do than troll this forum, irritating people?

1 person has voted this message useful

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