Yes, there are both upper- and lowercase letters. Most kinda look like the same letter.
Yes, there are serif and sans-serif fonts. I haven’t noticed any difference in use between the Russian and the English alphabets in that regard – serif is more prevalent in books and printed media, while sans-serif rules the digital (and maybe headings and headlines in printed).
As for the emphasis, the Russian alphabet and fonts (at least the popular ones) do support emphasis, like bold, italics, etc., but italics is used much less liberally. For example, I often see italics used in English to either make the reader emphasize a word or a phrase differently, or to make a name of a piece of fiction stand out (e.g. Dishonored vs Dishonored). I can’t recall a single time I’ve seen the former being used in Russian, neither in fiction, nor on the Internet – the only thing somewhat close to it would be in-universe letters or writings, but those are often put in their own paragraph with different margins and all.
The italics in the Russian digital fonts is not the same as the Russian or Cyrillic cursive, though. While the latter may be vastly different from the printed letters, varying by the age group (older generations have pretty different cursive from people my age, especially with some letters like the lowercase T), the former is basically the same style shift as in the Latin alphabets. For example:
Regular: Съешь же ещё этих мягких французских булок, да выпей чаю.
Italics: Съешь же ещё этих мягких французских булок, да выпей чаю.
As for the Russian cursive, I would say it’s actually closer to the printed Russian than the English cursive is to the printed English. There are some letters that often tend to blend together in cursive, such as the lowercase И, Л, Ш, Щ, but with proper spacing, they’re really easy to tell apart; especially given how they’re not that often that close to each other in most sentences.
The cursive English lowercase F, on the other hand, or uppercase S, or lowercase R, for example, left me guessing the first few times I saw them.
So, the Russian, or the Cyrillic alphabets are pretty boring in that regard when compared to the Latin-based alphabets of Europe. The region may be vast and varied, but its peoples are still pretty close and similar to each other.
I understand why you think cursive is closer to “regular” alphabet in Russian, but I can assure you that learning Russian cursive is basically a separate topic entirely and is really really hard. Big examples are д (looks like g), и, й and м are basically indentical, т looks like m.
I don’t know why you feel the need to assure a native Russian speaker of that, though.
It’s fairly easy to read (provided good handwriting) and to tell what’s what from the surrounding letters.
As for being a separate topic - that would be the case for other cursives as well. More so in German, where they actually have more than one cursive system (although I’m not sure if Kurrent is actually still around for me to be making that claim).
Russian is as unique as other European languages. No less, no more.
Because native russian speakers don’t have the perspective of learning it as a second language. Of course everything we learn as kids looks more obvious later on.
I think the Russian cursive is at least one level above of complexity compared to at least neolatin languages (like Italian, French, etc.). I don’t know about German though.
Also, it might be a matter of familiarity in general. All Russian speakers I have known could always read Latin characters, so the alphabet is probably generally more familiar to most people compared to Greek or Cyrillic alphabet.
What are the people like? Are they kind, are they assholes? I’ve read the majority of the population doesn’t approve of LGBT people. Also, is it me or is most Russian art really grim and dark? I say this as someone who loves Russian music, films, and games. How do Russians feel about Americans? I’ve met a few Russian immigrants, they seemed really friendly. Also, do you have any Russian music recommendations? Do you live in the US now? How does it compare to Russia? Thank you!
I dont quite remember what are people like. I remember my high school camarades were fine I guess. Like everywhere, many assholes, many nice people. I believe it is fair to say that majority doesn’t openly support LGBT, but there are (were?) a famous dude making music, who was openly homosexual; I don’t know what happened to him (“боря моисеев”). (Oh just checked, he died in 2022). I don’t think many people actually are actively anti LGBT, they just happen to support whatever the television is telling them.
I would say totally say Russians aren’t that friendly as Americans lol. I visited US multiple times and was shocked how easy it is for basically strangers to start a conversation in US. I don’t live in US, I live in France for almost 20 years now. I totally prefer Europe over US.
I tend to not meet other Russian immigrants because I am very anti war and I think anyone who supports pootin is a moron. However, recently I went to a meeting group among other fellow immigrants who are also against war. And they seemed friendly enough.
It is hard to give modern music recommendations, but among the classics are “Виктор Цой”, “ДДТ”, “Алла Пугачева”. I don’t know what cool kids are listening to nowadays, maybe “Гуф”, or “Баста”. Виктор Цой was extremely popular and almost a national hero. I still love him and listen regularly. “ДДТ Вороны” has to be the most profoundly depressing song I know, it’s impossible to listen without tears
Russian Cyrillic here.
Yes, there are both upper- and lowercase letters. Most kinda look like the same letter.
Yes, there are serif and sans-serif fonts. I haven’t noticed any difference in use between the Russian and the English alphabets in that regard – serif is more prevalent in books and printed media, while sans-serif rules the digital (and maybe headings and headlines in printed).
As for the emphasis, the Russian alphabet and fonts (at least the popular ones) do support emphasis, like bold, italics, etc., but italics is used much less liberally. For example, I often see italics used in English to either make the reader emphasize a word or a phrase differently, or to make a name of a piece of fiction stand out (e.g. Dishonored vs Dishonored). I can’t recall a single time I’ve seen the former being used in Russian, neither in fiction, nor on the Internet – the only thing somewhat close to it would be in-universe letters or writings, but those are often put in their own paragraph with different margins and all.
The italics in the Russian digital fonts is not the same as the Russian or Cyrillic cursive, though. While the latter may be vastly different from the printed letters, varying by the age group (older generations have pretty different cursive from people my age, especially with some letters like the lowercase T), the former is basically the same style shift as in the Latin alphabets. For example:
As for the Russian cursive, I would say it’s actually closer to the printed Russian than the English cursive is to the printed English. There are some letters that often tend to blend together in cursive, such as the lowercase И, Л, Ш, Щ, but with proper spacing, they’re really easy to tell apart; especially given how they’re not that often that close to each other in most sentences.
The cursive English lowercase F, on the other hand, or uppercase S, or lowercase R, for example, left me guessing the first few times I saw them.
So, the Russian, or the Cyrillic alphabets are pretty boring in that regard when compared to the Latin-based alphabets of Europe. The region may be vast and varied, but its peoples are still pretty close and similar to each other.
I understand why you think cursive is closer to “regular” alphabet in Russian, but I can assure you that learning Russian cursive is basically a separate topic entirely and is really really hard. Big examples are д (looks like g), и, й and м are basically indentical, т looks like m.
I don’t know why you feel the need to assure a native Russian speaker of that, though.
It’s fairly easy to read (provided good handwriting) and to tell what’s what from the surrounding letters.
As for being a separate topic - that would be the case for other cursives as well. More so in German, where they actually have more than one cursive system (although I’m not sure if Kurrent is actually still around for me to be making that claim).
Russian is as unique as other European languages. No less, no more.
Because native russian speakers don’t have the perspective of learning it as a second language. Of course everything we learn as kids looks more obvious later on. I think the Russian cursive is at least one level above of complexity compared to at least neolatin languages (like Italian, French, etc.). I don’t know about German though.
Also, it might be a matter of familiarity in general. All Russian speakers I have known could always read Latin characters, so the alphabet is probably generally more familiar to most people compared to Greek or Cyrillic alphabet.
Privet moy drug! What’s it like being Russian, genuine question.
Mostly boredom and existential dread, why
Ah, so same as in the west!
I have a weird fascination with Russia and other Slavic countries. Do you mind if I ask more questions? I’m American btw.
Lol go ahead but keep in mind I Left Russia 20 years ago and never visited since,so my opinion might not be representative
What are the people like? Are they kind, are they assholes? I’ve read the majority of the population doesn’t approve of LGBT people. Also, is it me or is most Russian art really grim and dark? I say this as someone who loves Russian music, films, and games. How do Russians feel about Americans? I’ve met a few Russian immigrants, they seemed really friendly. Also, do you have any Russian music recommendations? Do you live in the US now? How does it compare to Russia? Thank you!
I dont quite remember what are people like. I remember my high school camarades were fine I guess. Like everywhere, many assholes, many nice people. I believe it is fair to say that majority doesn’t openly support LGBT, but there are (were?) a famous dude making music, who was openly homosexual; I don’t know what happened to him (“боря моисеев”). (Oh just checked, he died in 2022). I don’t think many people actually are actively anti LGBT, they just happen to support whatever the television is telling them.
I would say totally say Russians aren’t that friendly as Americans lol. I visited US multiple times and was shocked how easy it is for basically strangers to start a conversation in US. I don’t live in US, I live in France for almost 20 years now. I totally prefer Europe over US.
I tend to not meet other Russian immigrants because I am very anti war and I think anyone who supports pootin is a moron. However, recently I went to a meeting group among other fellow immigrants who are also against war. And they seemed friendly enough.
It is hard to give modern music recommendations, but among the classics are “Виктор Цой”, “ДДТ”, “Алла Пугачева”. I don’t know what cool kids are listening to nowadays, maybe “Гуф”, or “Баста”. Виктор Цой was extremely popular and almost a national hero. I still love him and listen regularly. “ДДТ Вороны” has to be the most profoundly depressing song I know, it’s impossible to listen without tears