Our Identity

[Sako]

I wanted to talk about something that many ignore. To me, this has to be dealt with soon and I know that we the people can get this done. We don't need the government's help. The problem is, the people are overlooking it most of the time...

I went to a concert today at a school and the names of the different rooms, auditoriums, etc. were all in Russian. It's not that I don't like Russian or something, I just think that Armenian schools should be ARMENIAN schools. I mean you can find more Russian words when you look around then Armenian words. It's been about 20 years since the Soviet era. You'd think we'd have moved on.

It's not just one school. You can see this in so many other places around the city. And then you hear people ask why the new generation isn't speaking proper Armenian, using Russian words from time to time or talking goghakan. Take a look around, people.

This should've been dealt with at least in our schools, colleges, etc. I mean this is a question of identity. How can we properly call ourselves Armenians in Armenia when we feature more Russian then Armenian? It's like walking around in Rome and realizing all the signs are in German, lol. Perhaps not the best example but I think you get the idea. I just don't understand why Russian words need to be used at all. The Soviet era is over.

...This is our country now and it should look and feel and be respected and looked over like OUR country...

[Mos]

Re: Our Identity

I know what you mean Saco, that is what decades of Soviet rule does to a country. It's hard for us to change everything overnight, it will take time especially for a country like ours. I remember there is a cafe in Opera that has their menu in only Russian. But newer stores are usually putting signs in Armenian & English now. Also, we are pro-Russian which will keep much of Russian language in Hayastan.

[Sako]

Re: Our Identity

I'm not saying let's eradicate everything Russian. I just don't think we as Armenians should live with this. Forget the stores, the menu's, and everything else. They are all secondary. It's the learning institutions we should be worrying about. That's what I'm worried about the most.

This is just one example of how we're missing our identity. There are many, many others and it saddens me when we the people ignore them. In this particular case, it's us that need to pull ourselves together, not the gov. I'd love to see at least these minor issues get dealt with. It's not really difficult. Not necessarily overnight, but at least in the near future.

[Lucin]

Re: Our Identity

I wanted to talk about something that many ignore. To me, this has to be dealt with soon and I know that we the people can get this done. We don't need the government's help. The problem is, the people are overlooking it most of the time...

I went to a concert today at a school and the names of the different rooms, auditoriums, etc. were all in Russian. It's not that I don't like Russian or something, I just think that Armenian schools should be ARMENIAN schools. I mean you can find more Russian words when you look around then Armenian words. It's been about 20 years since the Soviet era. You'd think we'd have moved on.

It's not just one school. You can see this in so many other places around the city. And then you hear people ask why the new generation isn't speaking proper Armenian, using Russian words from time to time or talking goghakan. Take a look around, people.

This should've been dealt with at least in our schools, colleges, etc. I mean this is a question of identity. How can we properly call ourselves Armenians in Armenia when we feature more Russian then Armenian? It's like walking around in Rome and realizing all the signs are in German, lol. Perhaps not the best example but I think you get the idea. I just don't understand why Russian words need to be used at all. The Soviet era is over.

...This is our country now and it should look and feel and be respected and looked over like OUR country...

When you complain about the abundance of Russian words in everyday spoken Armenian (or in public places) then you should definitely mention the invasion of English as well. Let's say the Russian influence comes from decades of soviet rule (as Mos mentioned) but where does the English influence come from? I have been shocked to notice so many common, simple English words used by people in Armenia for which we do have Armenian equivalents. There is absolutely no excuse.

Concerning the use of Russian in public places (such as restaurants, cafes, schools, or...) as long as there is the Armenian version on top of it, I don't see much problem in that...

[KanadaHye]

Re: Our Identity

I'm not saying let's eradicate everything Russian. I just don't think we as Armenians should live with this. Forget the stores, the menu's, and everything else. They are all secondary. It's the learning institutions we should be worrying about. That's what I'm worried about the most.

This is just one example of how we're missing our identity. There are many, many others and it saddens me when we the people ignore them. In this particular case, it's us that need to pull ourselves together, not the gov. I'd love to see at least these minor issues get dealt with. It's not really difficult. Not necessarily overnight, but at least in the near future.

Seeing that the "global economy" is on its knees and Britain/America's "grip" on the world is diminishing, I think this is the time to start thinking about re-forming the Armenian identity and empowering the people to think all things Armenian. As for the diaspora (with respect to North American's)... many of these clowns seem to think that living at home and partying until you're 35 or dead, which ever comes first is what makes you Armenian.

[Sako]

Re: Our Identity

When you complain about the abundance of Russian words in everyday spoken Armenian (or in public places) then you should definitely mention the invasion of English as well. Let's say the Russian influence comes from decades of soviet rule (as Mos mentioned) but where does the English influence come from? I have been shocked to notice so many common, simple English words used by people in Armenia for which we do have Armenian equivalents. There is absolutely no excuse.

I agree with this but this is nothing compared to what I'm talking about. The English actually helps our people to some extent because there are lot's of tourists. The Russian is just something we use (in the case of many Armenians). English is an International language that Armenians are starting to realize you really need to know so that no matter where you go, you'll be able to communicate with people somehow ... at least a little bit. The Russian though is really spoiling our people. Most use it when talking goghakan. They don't use it because they need to use it.

Concerning the use of Russian in public places (such as restaurants, cafes, schools, or...) as long as there is the Armenian version on top of it, I don't see much problem in that...

Many Armenians don't see (and don't even care about) that vision ......... they live with whatever happens. If we deal with these little issues, our countries identity will slowly rise up from the ashes once again and at a faster rate. We shouldn't be reading Armenian only during Armenian class. We should be reading Armenian in this country no matter where you look. Let there be Russian and English translations. That's fine. The problem is that you don't see any ARMENIAN translations.

Seeing that the "global economy" is on its knees and Britain/America's "grip" on the world is diminishing, I think this is the time to start thinking about re-forming the Armenian identity and empowering the people to think all things Armenian. As for the diaspora (with respect to North American's)... many of these clowns seem to think that living at home and partying until you're 35 or dead, which ever comes first is what makes you Armenian.

I know what you mean. I can't believe these kinds of Armenians go to Disney World on April 24th. And I thought I saw everything, lol.

Bottom line is, there CAN be Russian and English translations of words/signs ... but you HAVE to be able to read them in Armenian no matter where you go in Armenia. This is a rule of thumb that's being ignored and I feel it takes a chunk out of Armenia's and our own identity ... as if we didn't have enough identity issues to deal with already!

[seruven]

Re: Our Identity

Saco, what's "goghakan"?

[Lucin]

Re: Our Identity

I agree with this but this is nothing compared to what I'm talking about. The English actually helps our people to some extent because there are lot's of tourists. The Russian is just something we use (in the case of many Armenians). English is an International language that Armenians are starting to realize you really need to know so that no matter where you go, you'll be able to communicate with people somehow ... at least a little bit. The Russian though is really spoiling our people. Most use it when talking goghakan. They don't use it because they need to use it.

Look, I see no problem in learning English properly as an 'international' language. But I see a huge problem when you speak your mother tongue (Armenian) and throw constantly simple, common English words in it... that's not acceptable.

[Sako]

Re: Our Identity

Slang !

[Sako]

Re: Our Identity

Look, I see no problem in learning English properly as an 'international' language. But I see a huge problem with speaking your mother tongue (Armenian) and throwing constantly simple, common English words in it... that's not acceptable.

I don't really see this every day to tell you the truth. I hear A LOT of Russian though. People don't learn or use Russian properly. If they did, I'd excuse them somehow. Unfortunately, they use it just for fun ... and because it sounds "cool"! You can hear more Russian then English. No doubts there.