Can I Communicate with Bulgarian People by Speaking Russian?

The ability to communicate with Bulgarian people using Russian largely depends on the age and background of the individuals you are speaking with. Bulgarian and Russian share some linguistic similarities, but proficiency in one does not guarantee understanding in the other. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

Age and Education Play a Significant Role

Language proficiency in Bulgaria has changed significantly since the fall of communism. Before 1989, Russian was a compulsory foreign language in schools. Therefore, older generations, especially those born before 1960, may have learned Russian and could potentially communicate with you. However, the younger generation, particularly those under 30-35, generally does not have Russian as a mandatory subject and may struggle with it.

Some younger Bulgarians might have taken additional language classes, so there might be an individual minority that could understand or even speak Russian. Despite this, it is advisable for you to attempt to communicate in English, as it is widely understood and used as an international language.

Language Complications

Understanding Bulgarian can present challenges to Russian speakers due to the unique features of the Bulgarian language. While there are some commonalities between Russian and Bulgarian (around 20-30%), these are insufficient for meaningful and fluent communication. Expect significant difficulties in conversation when speaking Russian to Bulgarian people, especially those under 30-35 years old.

Personal Experiences

During my stay in Bulgaria, I found that most native Bulgarian speakers can understand a considerable portion of Russian. This is not a universal trait, however. Russian speakers, on the other hand, often struggle to comprehend Bulgarian. I, as a native Russian speaker, could communicate effectively with Bulgarians using Russian, often understanding them over 50% of the time, even with difficulty. We even shared jokes, which required some repetition for clarity.

However, my Russian-speaking friends encountered more challenges. They found the Bulgarian language quite problematic, and the younger generation had even more difficulty. The older generation, particularly those born before 1970, still retained some proficiency in Russian, which helped bridge the communication gap somewhat.

Conclusion

While speaking Russian to Bulgarians is possible, especially for older generations, it is not a reliable method of communication. Given the linguistic and cultural differences, it is advisable to attempt speaking in English or another common language. This ensures effective communication and avoids unnecessary misunderstandings.