Why Study Russian?
What Russian can do for You
It can introduce you to a great culture Since the early nineteenth century, Russian literature has been unsurpassed. The names and works of Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Solzhenitsyn are known to many Americans, and their works are read in English translations, but translations simply don't do these works justice.
Imagine reading Tolstoy's novels in the original Russian!
Although Russians have created distinguished music and art for two centuries and the performing arts in Russia are outstanding, most Americans have only a vague idea of Russian culture. This is partly because so few Americans can speak Russian.
It can give you an advantage in the sciences. As a language of science and mathematics, Russian is second in importance only to English. Twenty-eight percent of the scientific literature in the world is published in Russian. Yet no more than five percent of American scientists can read Russian, and only five percent of scientific literature written in Russian is translated into English.
It can help you find a job:
- in business - The proliferation of business opportunities in Russia makes Russian an important language on the international business scene. Many American and Russian companies are seeking to employ Americans who know Russian and have had training in business.
- with the government - Thirty federal agencies in the United States, including the Department of State, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Information Agency, and NASA employ people who know Russian.
- in the news media - Events in Russia are constantly in the news. But few American journalists know Russian well enough to report firsthand about what is happening there. Their information is often secondhand and distorted.
- with churches and charity organizations - Many U.S. religious organizations conduct mission and charity work in Russia or work closely with Russian churches. International adoptions of Russian children are on the rise. These activities require people knowledgeable about Russian language and culture.
- and in education - International law, translating, music, publishing, the travel industry, and library science.
There are important places for Russian speakers in these fields and many more!
