Thread: Russia is... ?

OK, how would you classify Russia?

Eurasian

Agree with V here.

But i think it's trying to be more European. Not a bad thing really.

We are not too close to europeans I guess, it's seems to me europeans are more individual than russians. I feel myself assured becouse I've got a family and relatives and close friends who really will help me if I am in a trouble or I got a problem or I just need some money or I need any kind of help. So I do the same to them.

One of the two contries in two continents. joo nead tew put an opsion fur boath

I always thought of it as European, but then you see those Russians with the almost asian looking eyes, and olive complexion. I know this girl, she is from Siberia, but she has asian looking eyes, olive complexion, and is very short. Neither of her parents are asian, so I guesse maybe some of her anscestors were.

Mongolia is right on the border.

There are many nations with asian ancestry within Russia. Buryats, Eskimo etc., not to say that a lion's share of 'Russians' have some Mongolian blood.

Actually, there is different attitude to the word 'Russian' in Russia. Russian word 'национальность' means ethnic background, not 'nationality' as it may seem. (While there is no difference between (English) 'nationality' and 'citizenship', they are both 'гражданство'). In fact, many people are offended when foreigners call them 'Russians', while they consider themselves not. They are Russian citizens ("россияне"), but, say, Udmurts or Jews.

This is about the same way as Scotch are offended when Russians call them 'Englishmen' (they really often name all Brits 'англичане').

If I were to compare Russia with USA or an Asian country I would say that it is mostly European in style and way of life. That basically applies to big cities and is a very general statement.

Originally Posted by Zeus

This is about the same way as Scotch are offended when Russians call them 'Englishmen' (they really often name all Brits 'англичане').

Or even when you call them "Scotch"

It's not really the same at all though. Calling a Scotsman "Englishman" is more like calling a Ukranian "Russian". It's not a matter of perception, it's just a factual innaccuracy. Calling a Scot "British" might be closer to your example, but then that wouldn't be considered offensive so...

There are some Uzbeks that live close to a church I rarly visit.

They are how Uzbeks look... pretty asian. And they speak perfect Russian. Prolly Uzbek also...

was auch immer

Мы не Европа и не Азия!
А просто...
Просто Мы - Евразия.

Есть такой народ - чуваши (православные христиане).
Чувашская республика находится восточнее Москвы на 700 км.
Когда чуваш молод, то он выглядит как европеец.
Чем он старше, тем больше азиатских черт во внешности.

There is such people - Chuvashs (orthodox Christians).
The Chuvash republic is to the east of Moscow on 700 kms.
When the Chuvash is young, it{he} looks as the European.
The it{he} is more senior, the more than the Asian features in appearance.

Мильоны - вас. Нас - тьмы, и тьмы, и тьмы.
Попробуйте, сразитесь с нами!
Да, скифы - мы! Да, азиаты - мы,
С раскосыми и жадными очами!

Александр Блок

You can find the entire poem with an "English" "translation" here:
http://max.mmlc.northwestern.edu/~md...ians_blok.html

Originally Posted by scotcher

It's not really the same at all though. Calling a Scotsman "Englishman" is more like calling a Ukranian "Russian". It's not a matter of perception, it's just a factual innaccuracy. Calling a Scot "British" might be closer to your example, but then that wouldn't be considered offensive so...

That's exactly what I mean! When you call all citizens of Russia (which include at least a third of total population of other peoples) 'Russians' (esp. in Russian, "русские"), it is like you call all Brits 'Englishmen'.

But the problem is, there is no appropriate word for Russia similar to 'British' for Britain. In Russian, there is forementioned "россияне", which even some Russians consider creepy and try to avoid. In English, there is nothing at all (AFAIK).

Originally Posted by Zeus

Originally Posted by scotcher

It's not really the same at all though. Calling a Scotsman "Englishman" is more like calling a Ukranian "Russian". It's not a matter of perception, it's just a factual innaccuracy. Calling a Scot "British" might be closer to your example, but then that wouldn't be considered offensive so...

That's exactly what I mean! When you call all citizens of Russia (which include at least a third of total population of other peoples) 'Russians' (esp. in Russian, "русские"), it is like you call all Brits 'Englishmen'.

But the problem is, there is no appropriate word for Russia similar to 'British' for Britain. In Russian, there is forementioned "россияне", which even some Russians consider creepy and try to avoid. In English, there is nothing at all (AFAIK).

Проблема.
"Россияне" - это слово многим не нравится (мне в том числе).
"Русские" - не отражает реальную ситуацию. На территории России проживает более 100 национальностей. Каждая имеет свой язык и культуру, часто непохожую на другие.
Правильнее - "граждане России". Но это слишком длинно.

Originally Posted by Ger

Проблема.
"Россияне" - это слово многим не нравится (мне в том числе).

О чем я и написал. Но надо учитывать, что слово это само по себе нормальное и используется давно (встречается еще у Карамзина). А то некоторые думают, что его Ельцин изобрел.

Originally Posted by Zeus

Originally Posted by Ger

Проблема.
"Россияне" - это слово многим не нравится (мне в том числе).

О чем я и написал. Но надо учитывать, что слово это само по себе нормальное и используется давно (встречается еще у Карамзина). А то некоторые думают, что его Ельцин изобрел.

Все равно нас называют "русскими", даже татар, чукчей и т.д.
Хотя некоторых это обижает.

Вообще "русский" все более трансформируется из определения национальности в определение места проживания.