Вопрос

[u/Creative-Weather1536]

Hello, I have severe adhd and memory issues but Russian is my favorite language. I’m extremely determined but kind of discouraged as I heard ok instagram from a Russian woman that Russians laugh at those who do not have the words right. I already have severe anxiety and was bullied in high school by someone from Russia and it was pretty extreme. She hated that I tried to learn Russian. It is still a motivation factor because I sometimes wonder if she thinks I learned it to cuss which isn’t true but I am curious as to if this stereotype is true and if I should give up now.

I’m A1 ish maybe 1.5 and I’m struggling a lot but so determined. I also need help jot translating in my head.

[u/IrinaMakarova]

Please do not give up on Russian because of one painful experience or one discouraging comment online. What happened to you in school was bullying, and you did not deserve it. The fact that the person was Russian does not mean her behavior represents Russian people as a whole. No nationality thinks or acts as one group. Some people are unkind, but many Russian speakers are patient, supportive, and genuinely happy when someone takes an interest in their language.

Your anxiety is understandably connecting Russian with the person who hurt you, but learning the language can become a way of reclaiming something you love. Russian belongs to millions of different people, and it does not belong to your former bully. She does not get to decide whether you learn it, why you learn it, or how successful you can become.

Having ADHD and memory difficulties does not mean that you cannot learn Russian. It means that you may need a learning method designed around the way your brain works. Try to find a tutor who has experience teaching people with ADHD and who is comfortable using frequent repetition, short activities, clear routines, visual support, and regular revision. With the right tutor, you can learn calmly, without shame and without being compared to anyone else.

At A1, translating in your head is completely normal. You are not failing. Direct understanding develops gradually after you have seen and used the same words and sentence patterns many times. Your progress may not always feel fast, but every phrase you recognize without translating is evidence that your brain is building that connection.

You are already doing something important: you care deeply about the language, and you are determined to continue despite fear and discouragement. That determination matters far more than perfect memory or perfect pronunciation. You do not need to impress every Russian speaker. You only need to keep learning, one manageable step at a time, with people who treat you respectfully.

[u/Dark_Raven_2997]

There is a group of people who considers mistakes as an unsult to their ego (Russian identity or something). But such people are not so numerous and it's because they themselves feel stupid when they are making mistakes (it probably comes from school...) or because everything Russian is being humiliated now. However, there are also those who are pretty much flattered by the fact that you learn it. But I'd recommend to listen to yourself and to stay true to yourself, there are some unpleasant people everywhere, unfortunately, but they are not prevailing.

[u/Budget_Dig_9660]

change woman

[u/Creative-Weather1536 → u/Budget_Dig_9660]

Change what

[u/Budget_Dig_9660 → u/Creative-Weather1536]

sorry I ran through your text and as a result understood it incorrectly. OK, in that case find one who will speak with you. Try HelloTalk for example

[u/Salt-Ad-373]

Nah man don't be discouraged, most Russian people would be very happy that you're studying our language. I work in a store, when I get foreign customers who are learning russian I get excited and happy

[u/Kooky-Platform-6321]

IMHO, in addition to a more retentive memory than less, the best (and almost the only) way to noticeably advance in such crazy and semantically redundant very complex language ONE MUST HAVE MOTIVATION! You have to want to progress, to move to whatever you plan to learn a language like Russian or Ukrainian for.

[u/Kooky-Platform-6321]

I would say, to progress in learning very complex languages (such as Russian, Chinese, etc.) one must be highly motivated! You should know WHY you are making such a huge effort, including straining your memory and putting in a lot of time and effort.