#20 Russian as an International Language

Russian is often thought of as a language spoken only in Russia. In reality, however, it is used across a much wider geographical area. In many former Soviet countries, as well as in parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Russian continues to be used as a common language in a variety of situations.

Russian is also one of the official languages of the United Nations and has played an important role in diplomacy, international organizations, and academic fields. Although it does not function as a global lingua franca in the same way as English, it remains a highly practical international language in certain regions.

In this article, I will explain how Russian developed as an international language, the countries and regions in which it is used today, and the role it plays in the international community.

1. Russian Is One of the World’s Most Widely Spoken Languages

Russian is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.

It is estimated to have approximately 150 million native speakers. When people who speak it as a second language are included, the total number of Russian speakers worldwide is sometimes estimated to exceed 250 million.

In addition to Russia, large numbers of Russian speakers live in Belarus, Kazakhstan, and other countries that once formed part of the Soviet Union.

Russian-speaking communities established by people who emigrated from Russia also exist throughout the world. Russian is used in everyday life in parts of Europe, North America, Israel, and other regions.

Russia itself is a multiethnic country inhabited not only by ethnic Russians but also by Tatars, Bashkirs, Chechens, and many other ethnic groups. Russian therefore also functions as a common language through which people from different ethnic backgrounds can communicate.

For this reason, Russian is more than simply the official language of Russia. It also has an international dimension as a language that connects communities across the vast Eurasian region.

2. Russian Spread Widely During the Soviet Period

The emergence of Russian as an international language is closely connected to the history of the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union, which was established in 1922, included not only present-day Russia but also numerous republics, including Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia. Each of these regions had its own languages, but Russian came to be widely used in administration, higher education, the military, science, and technology.

Soviet language policy varied over time. From the late 1930s in particular, however, Russian-language education expanded in schools throughout the Soviet republics, and many people began learning Russian in addition to their native languages. As a result, Russian functioned as a common language when people from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds communicated with one another.

This did not mean that the languages of the individual republics ceased to be used. Local languages continued to appear in newspapers, publications, primary education, and other areas. Nevertheless, proficiency in Russian was often regarded as important for entering higher education or pursuing specialized professions.

As a result, Russian became the most widely used language across the Soviet Union and established itself as a lingua franca connecting different cultures and ethnic groups.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the newly independent countries introduced policies that placed greater emphasis on their national languages. However, the Russian-language abilities acquired during the Soviet period have been passed down to later generations. In many former Soviet countries, Russian therefore continues to function as a common language, depending on the generation and region.

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3. Russian Is One of the Official Languages of the United Nations

Russian is one of the official languages of the United Nations.

The United Nations recognizes the following six official languages:

• English
• French
• Spanish
• Russian
• Chinese
• Arabic

At major United Nations meetings, interpretation is provided in all six official languages, and important official documents, including resolutions, are made available in these languages. At institutions such as the United Nations General Assembly, representatives of member states may deliver speeches or make statements in Russian, which are then interpreted into the other official languages.

Russian became an official language partly because the Soviet Union was a founding member of the United Nations and held a permanent seat on the Security Council. It also played a major role in shaping the international order that emerged after World War II. Because of this historical background, Russian continues to be regarded as an important language in international diplomacy and international organizations.

English is, of course, frequently used in the everyday work of the United Nations. Nevertheless, Russian remains widely used in the preparation of official documents and at international conferences, making it one of the relatively small number of languages formally used by a global international organization.

This demonstrates that Russian is not simply a language used within a single country. It also possesses a significant international presence and considerable historical importance.

4. Russian Was Also an Important Language in Science and Space Exploration

During the 20th century, Russian was also an important language in science and technology.

The Soviet Union was a world leader in fields such as space exploration, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and engineering. Many research findings and specialized publications were therefore produced in Russian. As a result, Russian became an important academic language for researchers abroad who worked in these fields.

The Soviet Union also achieved major milestones in the history of space exploration. In 1957, it launched Sputnik 1, the world’s first artificial satellite. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to complete a crewed spaceflight. Because of these achievements, a substantial body of Russian-language terminology and technical documentation accumulated in aerospace engineering and related fields.

Furthermore, because the United States and Russia have played central roles in operating the International Space Station, both English and Russian have been used as working languages. Astronauts and cosmonauts staying aboard the ISS have therefore generally been expected to study basic Russian before their missions.

Today, English has become the international standard for publishing academic research. Nevertheless, Russian-language literature remains important in certain fields. Knowledge of Russian can be particularly useful when examining research findings and technical documents produced during the Soviet period.

5. A Different Kind of International Language from English

English is currently the most widely used international language in the world. For this reason, many people immediately think of English when they hear the term “international language.”

However, in former Soviet countries, parts of Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, many people continue to understand Russian and use it as a common language.

For example, when a person from Kazakhstan communicates with someone from Kyrgyzstan, or when a person from Uzbekistan speaks with someone from Belarus, they may use Russian rather than either person’s native language. In such situations, Russian functions as a bridge language that allows people from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds to communicate.

Russian is also frequently used as a common language in business, study abroad, and academic research involving several former Soviet countries. Although increasing numbers of younger people are learning English, Russian may still allow smoother communication in certain regions.

English-language education has certainly expanded in recent years, and English has become increasingly important in international exchange. Nevertheless, Russian continues to have a substantial presence in Eurasia because of the linguistic infrastructure established over many decades.

For this reason, I consider Russian not a universal lingua franca comparable to English, but a highly valuable regional international language connecting the vast Eurasian region.

In certain parts of the world, Russian remains an indispensable means of communication that connects people across national, ethnic, and linguistic boundaries.

6. Summary

Russian is an international language that has been used not only within Russia but also across a wide area of Eurasia.

Its main characteristics can be summarized as follows:

Russian continues to have considerable practical value in many countries.

By learning Russian, you can deepen your understanding of the history and cultures of Eurasia while expanding your opportunities to communicate with people from a wide variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Yuri Miyajima

Writer

I’m a Japanese writer with a deep interest in Russia. Through my articles, I explore a wide range of topics related to the country, including its culture, history, traditions, food, everyday life, and language.