Isn’t it better to learn Russian instead of Georgian?

There are roughly 4 million Georgian speakers in the world, but there are more than 250 million  Russian speakers. Isn’t it wise to invest your time learning Russian?

Well, it depends…

When I arrived in Georgia, I brought along my Russian lesson book. I thought it was better to learn Russian rather than Georgian.

But after a year of trying to communicate with Georgian people in Russian or English, I learned two important lessons I want to share with you.

1. If you think majority of Georgians can communicate in Russian; that is a myth!

Not all Georgians have a good command of Russian. For example, some people speak Russian, but cannot read or write. Some people understand Russian, but cannot talk in Russian (weird, but true!)

Older Georgians know Russian better than the younger generation. Young Georgians have a better grasp of English, but then again, nothing remarkable.

Sometimes, although they know a little bit of English or Russian, they are not confident in their speaking skills, so they shy away from talking to you or they may respond in a manner that would seem unfriendly.

Don’t take it personally. They do not hate you. They just have a hard time speaking a foreign language.

2. As long as you do not speak Georgian, Georgians will treat you as a foreigner!

Even if you speak fluent Russian, do not assume that Georgians will think of you as one of their own. Not at all. You will be considered a foreigner.

If you are planning to stay in this country for a short period of time—let’s say up to 6 months—that should not bother you. You are a foreigner, and you will be leaving soon, anyway.

However if you are planning to stay longer, you should make yourself at home. You should feel you are connected to the society and are welcome everywhere. Otherwise, soon you will feel disconnected. You are going to feel isolated. You may feel Georgians are strangers. I have even seen some foreigners developing serious obsessive beliefs about the country. 

But the moment that you start to speak Georgian (even in childish broken words), doors open to you suddenly!

You will see an instant shift in your happiness levels while living in Georgia… guaranteed.

Even when you are a beginner and mumble through your sentences, Georgians will find it absolutely cute.

Even at my level, funny things happen to me. For example, sometimes I try to use new Georgian words in a totally different context or situation (where they do not belong) and the response I get is hilarious! Georgians find it very amusing and entertaining, and they understand me nonetheless.

In conclusion, if you speak Georgian correctly, you are highly respected. If you speak it badly, you are cute!

Basically, there is no way for you to mess it up.

There is no way for you to lose in this game.

Therefore, do not assume that learning Russian will solve your problems completely. With Russian or English, you may be able to communicate with a Georgian's mind, but you will not communicate with their heart.

Getting up to speed with Georgian is very easy with my free Georgian audio lessons. I will be sending you 5 audio lessons. You just need to listen and follow my instructions. No papers, no notebooks or exercises! Just breathe in and out with me in Georgian.

I guarantee that within 5 days of listening to my lessons, you will see a substantial increase in your cuteness!

Fair enough?

To get all 5 lessons for FREE, sign up below with your first name and email address, and I will email lessons to you right away:

Have fun!

Mehdi

PS. I like to hear your experiences if you speak Russian or English fluently. Have you been satisfied with it while living in Georgia? Share your idea in comments section.