Two hundred years ago, the youth from Pushkin's generation generally avoided speaking Russian. During that era, Russian language was not deemed suitable for engaging in friendly conversations on diverse topics. Young nobles and elites primarily learned French, as it was the language spoken by both their parents and their tutors. While Russian was solely used by peasants, it existed only in dialectal forms, not as a literary language. The esteemed Russian writer and poet, Alexander Pushkin, masterfully crafted a language that merged the vibrancy of casual dialogue, the grandeur of hymns, and the precision of expression. Since Pushkin's linguistic contributions, the Russian language has been embraced universally across Russia and beyond.
Fast forward to today, what we see is that entire languages - vibrant, distinct tongues - being willingly swapped for the dull sheen of dominant language. And not because it's better or more beautiful, no! Simply because it’s “convenient” which is the great excuse for linguistic laziness. People have inherited such a colonial mindset that they take pride in speaking the language of their colonizers, thinking it makes them sound cool, worldly even. Spoiler: It doesn’t. Let me remind you: the very first, most distinctive feature of any culture is its language. Without it, the essence of identity begins to fade, leaving behind a cheap imitation, so don't be walking advertisements for cultural erasure.
P.S. And, ironically enough, this entire post was written in English.
@pursuit_of_truth
