Why Russian speakers sound rude when speaking English, and how to fix it

Sometimes Russian speakers, speaking in English, sound very rude. This is usually due to the fact that they very literally translate phrases that are pronounced normally in Russian, but do not sound very good in English. On your own YouTube channel Justin shared four moments when Russian speakers sound very rude.

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The word "what"

In Russian, you can often answer a question or sentence with one word: “What?” And this is considered normal, because it is so accepted. But in English you can't just say "what". This is not accepted among Americans and is considered a very rude form of communication.

On the subject: English words whose ambiguity can be confusing

Instead of just saying “what?” (what?), say:

• Sorry, one more time please.
• Could you please repeat that?
• I didn't catch that. One more time please.
• Sorry, can you say that again please?

Never simply say what? when you didn't hear what your interlocutor said.

The "uh" sound

Russian speakers often add this sound at the end of a sentence: “Are you crazy, or what?” or just separately. For example, when asked if a person would go to a party with someone, he answers: “Uh.”

This sound is never used in English, but very often Russian speakers do it when communicating with Americans. Since this sound is unfamiliar to them, they consider it strange and rude.

Just keep this in mind and don't use it.

Verb want

In Russian you can simply say “I want” or “I want” - everything is very easy and simple. But in English this is not so clear, since want is a very dangerous verb.

If a person says “I want” very often in English, Americans believe that he is a very greedy and rude person. But Russian speakers constantly use I want exclusively.

You can replace it with I would like… / I'd like…

Summon/order (interrogative)

In Russian, the incentive form of the verb is often used: come, speak, read, etc. But it is very rarely applicable in English, but Russian speakers very often use this form in their English.

For example, the phrase “Give me water please” sounds quite normal in Russian, but in English Give me water please is perceived very, very rudely. In this situation, even the word please does not save anything.

Instead of such a commanding tone, use better:

• Could you please pass me the water?
• Mat I have the water please?

The situation is exactly the same with the phrase “tell me, please.” Literally in English it sounds like tel me please, but, again, native speakers don’t say that.

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Better use:

• Do you mind telling me…
• Do you know how...

This way you are not commanding the person, but simply asking him a question.

And to sound very polite, just add excuse me or sorry at the beginning of the sentence.

• Hey, excuse me, do you mind telling me how to get to the store?

Well, if you are worried about which option is better to use, then Americans more often say excuse me, and Canadians say sorry. But both of them use both words.

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