As I reflect on my own journey with the Russian language, I’m amazed at how deeply it’s intertwined with the fabric of my life. This journey began back in 2009 when I met my future husband—it feels like just yesterday!
The Beginnings of a Linguistic (and Romantic!) Love Affair
Russian entered my life on a cold winter's day in 2009, when I met my husband-to-be at a raucous house party in West London. Since that day, the Russian language has woven itself into the fabric of our intertwined lives...
My husband-to-be taught me the Russian alphabet, before I picked up some textbooks and taught myself the basics of Russian grammar.
My love for the language and the culture of Russia was cemented during our first romantic getaway to St. Petersburg in 2010; it was the beginning of a lifelong relationship with culture, its people, and its language. As I explored the streets where literary giants like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky once roamed, I found myself drawn to this whole new world (and I did fall in love with blini at first bite... Thank you, Teremok!) with its beautiful language and historical riches.
Family Ties
Fast forward through the years, from our wedding to the birth of our first and then our second child, the Russian language has firmly embedded itself into our family life: it’s the medium through which my husband and our beautiful children communicate daily. It’s in their laughter, their play, and even their squabbles. Witnessing this connection has been one of the most profound motivations for me to keep learning, even when it’s challenging.
While my journey with Russian hasn’t always been consistent, the language has secured a permanent place in our family’s story. It’s a thread that weaves through our daily lives, strengthening our bonds and connecting us to a rich cultural heritage.
What About You?
Now, I’d love to hear from you—whether you’re learning a new language or raising your child to be bilingual or multilingual.
What motivates you? Is it the desire to connect with others, to explore new cultures, or maybe something entirely personal and unique to your situation?
Please share your story in the comments below.
What drives you to give your child the gift of language?
What keeps you going in your language learning journey?
Upcoming Insights
And don’t forget to tune in on my YouTube channel this Friday for a very special video. I’ll be sharing the inspiring story of my encounter with an incredible octogenarian neurodivergent polyglot. It’s a testament to the enduring power and profound importance of language learning. Stay tuned!
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