Below, Vox tells us the positives of learning Russian in the pursuit of Miss
Right. It helps us learn something of the culture, and that is certainly a
worthwhile goal. However, there are more efficient ways of learning
about the culture of any country or group of people than via the study of a
foreign language. Interestingly, Vox also posits his belief that the ladies
who have not progressed far in their study of English are likely more pure
of heart than those who are more adroit in English. A piquant hypothesis,
but one that can never be tested, for there are too many confounding
variables and the measurement itself would be subjective.
Contrariwise, others have suggested that those ladies who have not sought
to become proficient in English are not really very sincere about their
desire to relocate to an English speaking country or are perhaps just plain
naive. But Vox and others might suggest that the lady probably just never
thought of the need to study English and will now start since she has an
attraction for a particular man. There will be many considerations for a
lady to think about before she gives up her homeland and family to move to
a foreign country to live. So can it be true that the lady who has never
thought about learning English or taken the time to do so will really be a
better bet for the man compared to one who has given some prior thought
to the process and the consequences?
The question becomes one of probabilities. What is the probability that
those ladies who have not previously studied English will be more pure of
heart and make better wives. None of us have the foggiest notion about
the probabilities.
An alternative approach would be to think logically about this situation.
When does it make sense for a person to learn a foreign language? The
answer is when the benefits outweigh the costs. Dan and Amerikana have
some continuing business interests in Ukraine, so it makes perfect sense
for them to learn some of the language. And for those men who seriously
plan to move to the foreign country for an extended period of time, then
again, it makes perfect sense. But where it is almost certain that the lady
will be the one to make the move to another country, then it also makes the
most sense that she be the one to learn the foreign language.
Some will contend that all education is worthwhile, so there is really
nothing lost by learning Russian or any other language. In a cost benefit
analysis, we should be thinking of the alternatives regarding the time
available. Working toward a masters degree (or whatever), putting in
quality and quantity time on the job to obtain promotions, advancements,
salary increases, and spending time with existing children so as to not lose
them, etc.
The cost benefit approach may strike you as being too cold and
overlooking the romantic aspects. So let’s go down that path. You
immerse yourself in the study of Russian and neglect somewhat your other
duties and responsibilities because finding Miss Right is the ultimate goal.
You become semi proficient in the language and board the plane with the
greatest of expectations. But the romantic approach must also
acknowledge that one never knows when Cupid’s arrow will strike. And,
alas, you are seated next to the most ravishing, charming and interesting
lady you have ever met. Before your flight lands, the two of you are in love
and engaged to be married. Oh yes . . . she speaks perfect Polish . . . and
English . . . but not a word of Russian.
But you protest, nothing was lost because all education is still worthwhile
and besides, you can learn Russian and at the same time obtain a masters
degree in your field, keep up your good work on the job and earn
promotions, increased pay, and still spend the needed time with your
existing children. Well, yes, there might be some supermen.
JR
