::The White House::

"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." ::From the movie Casablanca::

The other day during Russian class we learned how to ask and answer the question "where?" We have learned how to say we live "in" a city, for example: Я живу в Харькове (I live in Kharkov), pronounced something like "Ya zhvoo vHarkovye." In previous classes we've discussed where we've been, what state certain cities are in, and which US cities have metros. We've talked about the capitals of countries, including of the US. 

So when our teacher asked in Russian something that sounded a lot like "Gdey (where) Casa Blanca?" I immediately answered, "In Washintgton," thinking that "Casa Blanca" meant "White House." Which it does; in Spanish! However, if you recall your geography (as I did not), Casablanca is also the largest city of Morocco! My teacher just looked at me and shook her said saying, "No, no, no." I also was very confused, because of course the White House is in Washington! It took me a few moments, but it finally dawned on me that I was trying to understand two different languages! My silly mind didn't even realize the difference.

Often when I am trying to speak in Russian, my mind finds Spanish words more easily than Russian, but that is changing the more I learn Russian. Spanish has given me a helpful framework to learn a new language. I seek to understand Russian grammar compared to Spanish, not English. And even though it can be difficult at times to not immediately go to Spanish in my mind (which is easier for me), it has been exponentially more helpful to have studied Spanish and some French first. I better understand how languages fit together, and for that I am grateful as I struggle through a much more difficult language to learn.

Russian is my focus right now, and I can see so many benefits of speaking to people in their own language. It is important to show people that we want to be here and that we care about them. We are not outsiders, but equals. It shows a respect for the culture and who they are. As I am able to put more and more sentences together, I look forward to when I can better communicate in conversation.

-ej