The Russian language is truly one of a kind—just ask any native speaker or foreign learner.
Russian vocabulary is rich in synonyms for every mood and state of mind, each with its own nuance. The language is deeply infused with our mentality and emotions.
Without understanding the Russian character, it’s very difficult to truly grasp our language.
The History of the Russian Language
The roots of the Russian language go back as far as the 1st century AD. But back then, it was only distantly related to the language we know today.
In the 9th century, brothers Cyril and Methodius created the written alphabet, giving rise to Old Church Slavonic—the ancestor of modern Russian, preserved in ancient chronicles. After that, the language evolved naturally through everyday speech.
As progress unfolded, foreign words started to enter Russian—some of which are still used today.
Even now, the language keeps evolving. Each year, new words and expressions appear, reflecting modern life through the eyes of Russian people.
What Makes Russian So Challenging?
Our language stands out for many reasons. Here are just a few fascinating facts about Russian.
The Russian alphabet is based on Greek letters, though not all retained their original shapes and sounds.
The meaning of a phrase in Russian often depends on intonation and emotion. For example, a question can be phrased exactly like a statement — intonation does all the work.
We can form sentences however we like, which often confuses learners and impresses them with our language’s richness.
Russians also invent new word forms based on emotions — words that are nearly impossible to capture in grammar books.
For instance, a cat can lovingly be called kotyusha, kotyunya, or kotenka. These aren't in official dictionaries, but they live in our hearts.
Some Russian phrases defy logic. Take the common expression: “Da net, navernoye” (“Yes no, probably”). It makes no sense to foreigners.
Or consider this: “The kettle is taking long to boil” and “The kettle is taking long not to boil” mean the same thing in Russian! Our language was shaped by regular people and their lives—not scholars.
And what about homonyms? These are words spelled and pronounced the same but with different meanings—a true linguistic phenomenon.
Try giving this sentence to a foreign learner and see what happens:
"Za peschanoi kosoi lopoukhiy kosoy pal pod ostroy kosoy kosoy baby s kosoy." (Which roughly translates to: “Behind the sandy spit, a lop-eared hare fell under the sharp scythe of a squinting woman with a braid.”)
The Legacy of the Russian Language
Russian has always been beautiful. Great authors like Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Tolstoy, Gogol, Bulgakov and many more wrote in it.
Their works are known worldwide and translated into hundreds of languages. But if you compare translations to the originals, you’ll see how much emotional color and richness of synonyms is lost.
That’s why foreigners who truly fall in love with Russian culture try to read our literary masterpieces in the original language.
Interestingly, only in Russian literature can you find the idea of “author’s punctuation”—writers intentionally breaking punctuation rules to enhance emotion and expression.
And the legacy of these great artists lives on. Follow this link to learn more about their descendants.
Why Learn Russian?
Grammar lessons alone won’t help you fully understand the Russian language. Russian is about emotions, history, and people. That’s why deep immersion in the culture and mindset is essential.
At Palme School, we don't just teach Russian to kids living abroad—we open up the culture, history, and soul behind the language in a fun and meaningful way.
We find an individual approach to every child and help them maintain their Russian identity and worldview.
This way, your child will remain Russian at heart — even while living far from home.
Sign up below for a free trial lesson at Palme School and explore the world of Russian language and culture.
What are some interesting facts you know about the Russian language?
