When traveling to a foreign country, it’s always helpful to know a few key phrases in the local language. If you’re planning a trip to Prague, Czech Republic, you might be wondering if speaking Russian would be useful. In this article, we’ll explore the relationship between Prague and the Russian language.
Prague and the Czech Language
Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and the largest city in the country. The official language spoken in Prague, as well as throughout the Czech Republic, is Czech. Czech is a West Slavic language that is unique to this region.
Fun fact: The Czech language has its roots in Old Church Slavonic, which was used for liturgical purposes during the Middle Ages.
Russian Influence in Prague
While Russian is not an official language in Prague, there are historical reasons why it might be spoken by some residents or understood by older generations.
The Soviet Era: From 1948 until 1989, Czechoslovakia was under communist rule and was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union. During this time, Russian was taught in schools and used for official purposes. Many Czechs learned Russian as a second language.
Russian Tourists: After the fall of communism and the opening up of borders, Prague became a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world, including Russia. As a result, you may encounter some Russian-speaking tourists while exploring the city.
Language Situation Today
In modern-day Prague, English is widely spoken and understood by many locals due to its status as an international language. Therefore, if you don’t speak Czech or Russian but can communicate in English, you should have no trouble navigating the city and interacting with locals.
Tip: Learning a few basic Czech phrases, such as greetings and polite expressions, can go a long way in showing respect for the local culture and earning the appreciation of Prague residents.
In Summary
In conclusion, while Russian is not widely spoken in Prague today, its historical influence can still be felt. The official language of Prague is Czech, and English is also commonly spoken.
If you’re planning a trip to Prague, knowing some basic Czech phrases or being able to communicate in English should be sufficient for most interactions. However, if you do encounter someone who speaks Russian, it could provide an interesting opportunity to connect on a linguistic level.