Just how widespread do you think that Russian would have been as a second (or third, or fourth. or fifth, et cetera) language globally if it wasn't for Russia experiencing decades of Communism and the resulting economic and demographic devastation?

On Friday, 11 June 2021 at 16:22:59 UTC+1, WolfBear wrote:
> Just how widespread do you think that Russian would have been as a second (or third, or fourth. or fifth, et cetera) language globally if it wasn't for Russia experiencing decades of Communism and the resulting economic and demographic devastation?
>
Start by considering how widespread or otherwise it was as such in 1914.

On Friday, June 11, 2021 at 11:12:40 AM UTC-7, Graham Truesdale wrote:
> On Friday, 11 June 2021 at 16:22:59 UTC+1, WolfBear wrote:
> > Just how widespread do you think that Russian would have been as a second (or third, or fourth. or fifth, et cetera) language globally if it wasn't for Russia experiencing decades of Communism and the resulting economic and demographic devastation?
> >
> Start by considering how widespread or otherwise it was as such in 1914.

Not very, but Russia would have likely become more globally prominent--economically, culturally, et cetera--due to its giant population as the 20th century would have progressed.

On Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:22:58 -0700 (PDT), WolfBear <m4josh@gmail.com>
wrote:

>Just how widespread do you think that Russian would have been as a second (or third, or fourth. or fifth, et cetera) language globally if it wasn't for Russia experiencing decades of Communism and the resulting economic and demographic devastation?

Actually by the 1980s Russian was behind English and German as the 3rd
major language of Europe with French not all that far behind Russian.

It has only been in the last 10-15 years that there is significant
interest in Mandarin.

Of course no question the #1 grief of the Academie Francaise is that
the Internet has cemented English once and for all as the world's #1
language and #2 language for most of those who speak another language
beyond the one they were raised with.

On Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:27:51 -0700 (PDT), WolfBear <m4josh@gmail.com>
wrote:

>On Friday, June 11, 2021 at 11:12:40 AM UTC-7, Graham Truesdale wrote:
>> On Friday, 11 June 2021 at 16:22:59 UTC+1, WolfBear wrote:
>> > Just how widespread do you think that Russian would have been as a second (or third, or fourth. or fifth, et cetera) language globally if it wasn't for Russia experiencing decades of Communism and the resulting economic and demographic devastation?
>> >
>> Start by considering how widespread or otherwise it was as such in 1914.
>
>Not very, but Russia would have likely become more globally prominent--economically, culturally, et cetera--due to its giant population as the 20th century would have progressed.

GIven the number of passages in French in Tolstoi's War and Peace and
Anna Karenina one might wonder.....

On 6/12/2021 6:37 AM, edstas...@gmail.com wrote:
>> The Horny Goat
>>
>> Actually by the 1980s Russian was behind English and German as the 3rd
>> major language of Europe with French not all that far behind Russian.
>
> That's because Russian language was a required class in school for kids
> behind the Iron Curtain. Source: my Polish cousins.
>

That tracks with what I'd have expected as a Russophobe at the heart
(almost literally; I've only ever been of educating-age in Colorado) of
the Western orbit.

It also seems like an argument that Wolfie is WAY off again, and it
would only be LESS prominent in a world without a Soviet Union ever rising.

--
Chrysi Cat
1/2 anthrocat, nearly 1/2 anthrofox, all magical
Transgoddess, quick to anger. [she/her. Misgender and die].
Call me Chrysi or call me Kat, I'll respond to either!

On Sat, 12 Jun 2021 05:37:26 -0700 (PDT), "edstas...@gmail.com"
<edstasiak1067@gmail.com> wrote:

>> The Horny Goat
>>
>> Actually by the 1980s Russian was behind English and German as the 3rd
>> major language of Europe with French not all that far behind Russian.
>
>That's because Russian language was a required class in school for kids
>behind the Iron Curtain. Source: my Polish cousins.

I have heard the same. In my case my source was East German

"edstas...@gmail.com" <edstasiak1067@gmail.com> on Sat, 12 Jun 2021
05:37:26 -0700 (PDT) typed in alt.history.what-if the following:
>> The Horny Goat
>>
>> Actually by the 1980s Russian was behind English and German as the 3rd
>> major language of Europe with French not all that far behind Russian.
>
>That's because Russian language was a required class in school for kids
>behind the Iron Curtain. Source: my Polish cousins.

Per my friend Al Akimoff, his experience was that while Russian
may have been required in school. many Poles never got good at it.
Because it A) was required in school, and b) because it was Russian
(Poles have not gotten along with the Russians since before the
Tsars.)
He did find that given the chance, they would learn German quite
well. Ich weis nichts, I never got east of Austria.
--
pyotr filipivich
"History rarely repeats herself" is the cliche. In reality she just
lets fly with a frying pan yelling "Why weren't you listening the first time!?"

On Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 6:37:11 AM UTC-7, Chrysi Cat wrote:
> On 6/12/2021 6:37 AM, edstas...@gmail.com wrote:
> >> The Horny Goat
> >>
> >> Actually by the 1980s Russian was behind English and German as the 3rd
> >> major language of Europe with French not all that far behind Russian.
> >
> > That's because Russian language was a required class in school for kids
> > behind the Iron Curtain. Source: my Polish cousins.
> >
> That tracks with what I'd have expected as a Russophobe at the heart
> (almost literally; I've only ever been of educating-age in Colorado) of
> the Western orbit.
>
> It also seems like an argument that Wolfie is WAY off again, and it
> would only be LESS prominent in a world without a Soviet Union ever rising.
>
> --
> Chrysi Cat
> 1/2 anthrocat, nearly 1/2 anthrofox, all magical
> Transgoddess, quick to anger. [she/her. Misgender and die].
> Call me Chrysi or call me Kat, I'll respond to either!

Why exactly do you identify as a Russophobe, Cat?