Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why did Otto von Bismarck choose to learn Russian?
Why did Otto von Bismarck choose to learn Russian?
- He was fascinated by the language and its complexity.
- He was assigned to translate Russian literature into German.
- He was required to learn it as part of his diplomatic duties in Russia. (correct)
- He wanted to impress his colleagues with his language skills.
What did Bismarck find particularly challenging about learning Russian?
What did Bismarck find particularly challenging about learning Russian?
- Russian pronunciation and accent rules.
- The vast vocabulary of Russian required for literary comprehension.
- The complex system of Russian grammar and syntax. (correct)
- The lack of readily available Russian language learning materials.
What event revealed Bismarck's mastery of Russian?
What event revealed Bismarck's mastery of Russian?
- He gave a speech in Russian at a diplomatic event.
- He was able to translate Ivan Turgenev's novel, 'Home of the Gentry', into German.
- Alexander II noticed him following a conversation with Alexander Gorchakov. (correct)
- He published a series of articles on Russian culture in German newspapers.
What motivated Prosper Mérimée to learn Russian?
What motivated Prosper Mérimée to learn Russian?
How did Mérimée's Russian language skills benefit the French public?
How did Mérimée's Russian language skills benefit the French public?
What aspect of the Russian language particularly impressed Mérimée?
What aspect of the Russian language particularly impressed Mérimée?
What was Lewis Carroll's primary profession?
What was Lewis Carroll's primary profession?
Who was Henry Liddon?
Who was Henry Liddon?
What is the primary focus of this passage?
What is the primary focus of this passage?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason why people were drawn to the Russian language?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason why people were drawn to the Russian language?
Flashcards
Otto von Bismarck
Otto von Bismarck
A Prussian statesman who learned Russian while in Russia.
Learning Russian
Learning Russian
The process of acquiring proficiency in the Russian language.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
The city in Russia where Bismarck studied Russian.
Private teacher
Private teacher
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Grammar and syntax
Grammar and syntax
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Ivan Turgenev
Ivan Turgenev
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Alexander II
Alexander II
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Prosper Mérimée
Prosper Mérimée
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Varvara
Varvara
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Minutest shades of meaning
Minutest shades of meaning
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Study Notes
Russian Language Acquisition by Historical Figures
- Otto von Bismarck, Prussia's envoy, spent three years in Russia, learning Russian independently for three years.
- He used a private teacher in St. Petersburg, dedicating two hours weekly to grammar and syntax.
- Bismarck initially found Russian parts of speech more challenging than the French army.
- He eventually read Ivan Turgenev's novel "Home of the Gentry" in the original.
- His language skills were noticed by Tsar Alexander II, who complimented his learning speed.
Other Notable Russian Language Learners
- Prosper Mérimée, a polyglot, was impressed by Nikolai Karamzin's "History of the Russian State," which spurred his Russian language learning.
- Mérimée studied with Varvara, a former maid of honor.
- Mérimée translated Pushkin's "Queen of Spades" and poetry, as well as Gogol's "The Government Inspector" into French, praising the language's ability to convey nuances.
Lewis Carroll and Russian Language
- Lewis Carroll, a mathematician and writer, also attempted to master Russian.
- He faced challenges due to difficult words and pronunciation aspects, but learned incrementally.
- He used a dictionary and phrasebook which aided him in learning phrases and unfamiliar words.
- Despite reliance on resources, he spoke Russian fluently, even negotiating at local markets.
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