Learn the Belarusian language. How do Belarusian and Russian languages differ? “Bilingualism does not allow the development of language conflict”

Officials in Minsk talk about the need to know the Belarusian language, but learning it in the country's schools is not so easy.

You can spend the whole day in Minsk and hear the Belarusian language only in transport when stops are announced. The correspondent was looking into whether young Belarusians have a chance to learn the Belarusian language and whether a school course is enough for this?

Schools - Russian and Belarusian

According to the standards of the Ministry of Education, Belarusian-language schools are those that have at least one class taught in the Belarusian language. As Yulia Vysotskaya, press secretary of the Ministry of Education, explained to DW, such schools in Belarus are almost half (1,419) of the total number of secondary educational institutions (3,063) - schools, gymnasiums and lyceums.

Department officials will summarize the data as of the beginning of the current academic year in mid-September. And last year, according to official statistics, 128,566 people studied in Belarusian-language schools, and about a million in Russian-language schools. This difference in the number of students is explained by the fact that there are more schools teaching in the Belarusian language in rural areas, but there are few students in them.

In everyday life, citizens of the country call Belarusian only those schools where all subjects are taught in Belarusian from the first to the final grade, and where all school staff communicate with children and parents in Belarusian. And only in such schools can one fully master the literary language, believes linguist Vintsuk Vecherko, pointing out that the vast majority of children study in Russian schools.

In addition to statistics for the country as a whole, this is confirmed by the situation in the capital of two million: in Minsk there are 5 gymnasiums with the Belarusian language of instruction, and in another 5 schools there are separate Belarusian classes in which all subjects are taught in the Belarusian language. In total, there are 138 such classes in the city. Belarusian classes, Vysotskaya explained, are opened based on requests from parents: for this, at least 20 people are needed who want to study in the Belarusian language.

Language standards and proportions

The program and methods of teaching the Belarusian language today are virtually the same in all types of schools, but students of Russian schools are not given the skills of a living language, pronunciation, or thematic vocabulary, notes linguist Vecherko. As a result, as he puts it, those who do master a living spoken language do so not thanks to school, but to an alternative cultural space - primarily the Internet, rock music and enthusiasts who organize courses, festivals and everything that creates an environment for communication in Belarusian.

Today in Belarus there is a single state standard for textbooks and the number of teaching hours in the subjects studied. So, in the first grade of Russian schools there are six hours of Russian language and literature per week, and one of Belarusian. In Belarusian it’s the other way around. Then the number of hours evens out. But this does not matter, Vecherko believes, because in Russian schools all subjects, except the Belarusian language and literature, are taught in Russian, Belarusian is just one of the subjects that can actually be mastered at the level of a foreign language.

With the difference, adds Vladimir Kolas, director of the Belarusian Humanitarian Lyceum, that learning English or Chinese is promising, because it can be useful in life. But learning Belarusian is unprofitable, unpromising, and sometimes dangerous due to associations with opposition activities. In addition, in Belarusian schools, Vecherko continues, teachers of physics, mathematics or foreign languages often refuse to teach in Belarusian because they were not taught this at university. You can count the number of physical education and labor training teachers who teach lessons in Belarusian on one hand.

The line to get into the Belarusian school has been long since night

The proportion of students in Russian and Belarusian, according to Vysotskaya, corresponds to the real language situation in the country: although in surveys the majority of its citizens indicate Belarusian as their native language, in everyday life they speak Russian. This situation, Kolas notes, is the result of the authorities’ support for the historically established situation: “It’s as if the language policy of the Russian Empire, on which Belarus was in colonial dependence for several centuries, continues.”

Meanwhile, competition for admission to the few Minsk gymnasiums teaching in the Belarusian language is growing year by year, parents state. To enroll their children in the 1st grade of the 23rd Minsk gymnasium, parents line up overnight, and last year not everyone was able to get in, Kristina Vitushko, chairman of the board of trustees and mother of a 13-year-old student at this gymnasium, tells DW.

She explains that first of all, the gymnasium is obliged to admit children according to universal education - a system preserved from Soviet times, when each school was assigned a certain district of the city. The gymnasium building is old, small, there are only two first grades, and those who simply happen to be higher on the list of applicants have priority when enrolling in the school.

Why don’t parents push for the opening of Belarusian classes?

Igor Palynsky, leader of the rock band Sumarok, chairman of the Polotsk city branch of the Francisk Skorina Belarusian Language Society, is also confident that there is a demand for education in the Belarusian language. “This is confirmed by resonant stories when parents sought to open Belarusian-language classes for almost one child. But the problem is that even among those who want their children to study in Belarusian, there are few initiative people,” complains Palynsky.

Kristina Vitushko looks at the situation differently: opening Belarusian classes is not a solution to the problem. She explains the advantage of Belarusian schools over Belarusian-speaking classes in Russian schools: “What is important is not the sign at the gymnasium, but the fact that the nurse, physical education teacher, and other teachers speak Belarusian, that the child will be answered in their native language in the cafeteria, so that there are no stress barriers in time for extracurricular activities - in a word, so that there is a comfortable language environment in Russian schools.”

We are definitely to blame here. Because we never express ourselves correctly, you know? The problem is ours... For what we will lose, we are to blame everywhere... You know what the problem is - illiteracy, ignorance (savadsızlıq, avamlıq). This is why we are losing everything we have everywhere...
Let me explain this to you - We swear at the term “Azerbaijani” because during the Soviet Union we were called “Azers, Azeris” and even “Tatars”.. And even now they call us that. In the Azerbaijani language you can even hear “Azəri” and in Turkish “Azeri”... This is where the scandal begins... And Stalin himself came up with this, do you know why? Religion.. There were people who underestimated us, humiliated us.. Because we were simply Muslims.. Ask our old people who fought for the USSR.. You can find out many details that you yourself don’t even know... This is an important thing here.. Stalin was probably a strong leader (I can’t say anything about this), but his attitude towards the Azerbaijani people was definitely hypocritical, I know this very well.... And there was no separation from the Turks, I just can’t understand who to say .. You just know, we love them so much, you can’t even imagine.. In short, “Azeri” and “Azer (in Russian)” are not the correct usage.. There should be “Azerbaycanlı - Azerbaycanlılar”, “Azərbaycanlı - Azərbaycanlılar”, “Azerbaijan/ Azerbaijani - Azerbaijanis"... Why? In fact, real Azerbaijanis have Turkic roots, so there was more Turkification. But we have people who are not Azerbaijani Turks and have other roots.. We have more peoples who have lived for a long time and merged with the surrounding people into real Azerbaijani territory. Look, can you ask who you really are? I’ll say Azerbaijani (Azərbaycanlı), but more precisely, who are you? - I am an Azerbaijani Turk (Azərbaycan türkü). But there are people, for example, the Talysh (Talışlar) - they have not Turkic, but Persian roots.. A huge number of Azerbaijani Turks live in Iran. We call them Cənubi Azərbaycanlılar or İran Azərbaycanlıları (Southern Azerbaijanis or Iranian Azerbaijanis) In short, we have a very complex ethnogenesis. And can you also ask before what your name was? Just a Turk? How is this possible? And what is Azerbaijani or just Turkic? How to understand this Yes, this is also our main problem.. For some reason we didn’t come up with an exact name for ourselves, we always remained as Turks and then took the words Azerbaijani (Azərbaycanlı) as the name of the nation.. And you can even call the Azerbaijani Turk (Azərbaycan türkü). .. I repeat once again: illiteracy, ignorance (savadsızlıq, avamlıq) Maybe this is why all the scandals begin... People don’t study or study incorrectly... I think we must change ourselves first of all.. To understand and evaluate everything correctly and as it is.. But where? When? It will be unknown... In short, only an Azerbaijani would correctly call us here... This is most suitable.

For the concept:
Turk - Türk - having origin (bir köken). For example, Slavs.. In English it is called - Turkic
Turk - Türk is the name of the nation of Turkey. In English it’s called Turk.. In short, the topic is about the Turks. They are called Turks and we are Azerbaijanis.. We are one people, yes.. And not only “we”. There are also Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Tatars, Kyrgyz, etc.. We are all one people, but we are not one nation... Whoever says this is just nonsense..

Ok, I agree with you about the use of the Belarusian language...

I learning Belarusian language. What will compiling a personal dictionary give me?

A personal dictionary is a list of words you want to learn, with translations in Belarusian language.

You can make one large list of words for all occasions or create several lists (dictionaries) by topic so that you can learn them later.

For example, a list of words that you need when visiting a restaurant (or a bank, or playing sports, etc.)

It is important that you have the opportunity to compile a vocabulary only from those phrases and expressions that you need to learn.

You don't waste time and effort learning words you don't need.

How to make a list of words (my dictionary)?

Just enter a word in the left field and in a few seconds you will see its translation in Belarusian language.

Attention! Several meanings are searched until the program selects the most adequate translation of your word.

It may take a few seconds to find the correct translation. Don't be scared!

Moreover, if you don’t like this translation, you can enter your own!

After saving the dictionary, a card will appear for each word added to it, in which you can enter your comment and even your photo for this word, which will make the learning process more diverse and interesting, and at the same time, thanks to this, more productive!

How many dictionaries (lists of words) can you create?

How many you want! It all depends on what is more convenient for you learn words– one large dictionary or several small ones devoted to different topics.

Why compile a dictionary?

You make a list of words with translation into Belarusian language so that later on our website you can test your knowledge of these words online.

The very process of compiling a dictionary already contributes to its memorization.

And then you take tests on it on our website.

Tests can be taken both from Russian into the language being studied, and vice versa.

If you entered the wrong translation of a word, our site will tell you the correct one and even show you a picture. So there is a high probability that next time you will not forget it.

Thanks to this, the testing process itself becomes quite fun and even exciting, because then the results of statistical processing are still waiting for you.

And all this is completely free!

The Belarusian language (Belarusian language) is part of the group of East Slavic languages.
The state language of the Republic of Belarus. It is spoken by about seven million people.
In Belarus there is also such a phenomenon as “trasyanka”. This is a spoken language, which represents the existence of various intermediate forms between Belarusian,

In Belarus at the moment there is generally no natural Belarusian-speaking environment, observers note. You can spend the whole day in Minsk and hear the Belarusian language only in transport when stops are announced. A DW correspondent wondered whether young Belarusians have a chance to learn the Belarusian language and whether a school course is enough for this?

Schools- Russians and Belarusians

Language standards and proportions

The line to get into the Belarusian school has been long since night

Context

Why don’t parents push for the opening of Belarusian classes?

See also:

Watch video 02:39

World of Tanks from Belarus at the Gamescom exhibition in Cologne (08/26/2017)

From Moscow - to Minsk

The series of photographs "Moscow-Minsk" is a long-term project by photographers Sandra Ratkovic and André Fischer. The main task of German photographers is to correctly understand and document the culture in the post-Soviet space.

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Time ago

Sandra Ratkowitz and Andre Fischer became interested in Russia and Belarus three years ago: then the young photographers were photographing monuments of Soviet architecture in Berlin. “In many places, time seemed to stand still,” Ratkowitz shared her impressions in an interview with DW. A few years later, the photographers decided on a new journey. The camera lens captured architectural monuments of Moscow and Minsk.

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Militarism in detail

During the two-week trip, the photographers were most struck by the militarism that has penetrated into all spheres of life of Russians and Belarusians. The photo shows a souvenir shop in Moscow.

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Two weeks in the capital

“Choosing Moscow as the first stage of the trip was the right decision. After visiting the capital, the desire to see other Russian cities immediately appears. In addition, Moscow contains important architectural monuments and the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War,” explained Andre Fischer.

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Summer walk

Visitors to one of the largest walking areas in the capital - Izmailovsky Park in Moscow.

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Flowered weapons

“It was very interesting to observe the military and everyday culture in Moscow and Minsk. In Germany, you rarely see a bride and groom taking pictures in front of the Eternal Flame,” said Sandra Ratkowitz. In the photo there are cannons in the Gzhel and Khokhloma style.

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Spectacular buildings

Photographers describe Moscow as an amazing city: “It attracts with numerous historical sites and impressive architecture: old churches, buildings in the style of socialist realism, the Moscow metro.”

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Next stop - Minsk

It was no coincidence that Andre Fischer ended up in the Belarusian capital: “After language courses at the linguistic university, I had the opportunity to spend a whole month in Minsk to immerse myself in the local culture and everyday life. Much in this city resembles Moscow, only in a smaller format.”

Photo gallery: Moscow and Minsk through the eyes of German photographers

Tankman's Day

While in Minsk, Andre Fischer saw an unusual performance. Tankman's Day is a professional holiday, which since 1946 has been celebrated annually in Belarus on the second Sunday of September.

Do Russians need to know Belarusian in order to survive in the country, and how do they feel about it - they asked, believe it or not, Russians.

IRINA
writer, journalist

“TRASYANKA HAS ITS OWN CHARM: IT IS RARELY LIVING SPEECH”

I have been living in Belarus for 7 years now and have noticed that it is usually the norm when a person speaks Russian and is answered in Belarusian, and vice versa. In my opinion, in a country with two official languages, this situation is quite harmonious and does not bother anyone. The languages are related, so a lot of things are intuitive to me, and if I don’t know the meaning of a particularly tricky word, then I don’t hesitate to ask or look in the dictionary.

The Belarusian language is very melodic, melodious, and I really like the construction of phrases. I can pronounce a few phrases in Belarusian, but Trasyanka drags me on. By the way, it has its own charm: it turns out to be an extremely lively speech. It’s easier for me to write in Belarusian than to speak, but I understand it by ear almost one hundred percent.

Like any language, Belarusian has its own non-equivalent vocabulary - charming, pithy words. They fascinate me; some have been written into my speech forever. However, I easily borrow words from any Slavic languages, since I studied Czech and Bulgarian at school.

I think that if a person who has received citizenship in Belarus knows at least one state language, that is enough. For most, speech skills are still not the main thing; they are required by people of certain professions. It is not so important whether a baker or a carpenter knows any language: they do not chat - they work.

What worries me more is that Belarusians are abandoning their folk instruments: pipes, zhaleks and ocarinas. For example, in Minsk there is only one class in a single music school where these instruments can be mastered. The situation with folk dances is also deplorable, but I find Belarusian dance incredibly beautiful. Perhaps someone will argue with me, but culture is not limited to movo, potato pancakes and embroidered shirts.

TATIANA
student

“Can you do it in Russian?”

I moved to Belarus in 2011. A few months before, I had already been to Minsk and immediately fell in love with this city! At the new school, my class teacher became a Belarusian language teacher. It was thanks to her that I fell in love with language. I remember at the very first lesson we were asked to open the letters, but I sat there and couldn’t breathe. Marina Vladimirovna asks: “Tatstsyana, are you okay?” - and I smile, clap my eyes and whisper: “Can I do it in Russian?”

Over time, my vocabulary grew, I was even entrusted with leading an evening of the Belarusian language. I approached this event very responsibly. It was interesting to study the language. Sometimes I even asked my friends to speak Belarusian to me.

The combination of “dz” and fricative sounds were not new to me, since I am from the Bryansk region, and this is an area on the border with Belarus. The intonation of speech was unusual. She looks like a wave. Belarusians seem to sing sentences without paying attention to punctuation. Closer to the point, the intonation, instead of going down, suddenly tends to go up. But over time, this barrier was erased. Now, when I visit Russia, it’s unusual for me to hear the clarity of rising and falling tones in speech.

I am ashamed that my command of the Belarusian language is not good enough. But I will definitely fix it! Now I am studying at the Faculty of Philology, and Belarusian begins with the next semester.

ILYA
sound engineer and sound engineer

“THE LANGUAGE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND MELODIC. IT’S A PITY THAT IT’S GRADUALLY GOING OUT OF CARE”

I’ve been to Belarus many times, and I’m planning to move to you in the near future. I have never experienced any difficulties associated with the language barrier here. True, I did not immediately begin to understand the announcer in public transport, some signs and pointers. But I quickly got used to it and got the hang of it. Now I more or less speak the Belarusian language: I understand it well, but there is no conversational practice. I can read it, but my accent is terrible. I would really like to learn Belarusian, this language is so beautiful and melodic. It's a pity that it is gradually going out of use.

I believe that every citizen of the country should speak their native language. It is not necessary to use it in everyday speech, this is everyone’s business, but it is important to know at least minimally. It seems to me that one of the problems is that in addition to the purely Belarusian language, you have Trasyanka and Tarashkevitsa. Sometimes the same word can have several spellings: stsyag - syag, Minsk - Mensk. As I understand it, the opposition uses Tarashkevitsa, which causes a lot of controversy.

I think language should be perceived first and foremost as a means of communication, so I have a positive attitude towards bilingualism in Belarus. After all, it is thanks to this that we understand each other. If someone is comfortable speaking Russian, please, kali pa-Belaruska - dachshund kali laska.

VICTORIA
student

“Bilingualism does not allow the development of language conflict”

I moved to Belarus in 2010 and experienced great difficulties in Belarusian lessons at school, as I had to learn the language from scratch. Now I speak a little language, I can understand what people say. Of course, you need to respect the traditions and customs of the country in which you live. But since I don’t encounter a language barrier here, I’m not going to go deeper into studying the Belarusian language. Although I like Belarusian for its melody and some simplicity in spelling. However, compared to Russian, it has fewer synonyms, so at school I did not always have enough words when writing essays.

I believe that the presence of two state languages in Belarus unites people and does not allow the development of a language conflict. But at the same time, it upsets me that very few Belarusians speak their native language.

Photo: from the personal archive of heroes.