Do Belarus officials speak foreign languages?
Sports minister Aliaksandr Hryharau speaks English and knows some words in Chinese. Central Election Commission chairperson Lidziya Yarmoshyna speaks none, while deputy economy minister Andrei Tur is fluent in English and speaks some Spanish. Belarus has embarked on improving the country’s image in the outside world. Even officials are now proposed to “improve their knowledge of foreign languages”.
The European Radio for Belarus has found out what foreign languages are spoken by Belarus officials who have to meet their colleagues from various countries.
Sports Minister Aliaksandr Hruharau says he is fluent in English. Besides, during the Beijing Olypmics he even learned some words in Chinese.
“I speak English. After Beijing, I know some 10-15 words in Chinese”
The minister boasted he had a sufficient command of spoken English. “But when there are official meetings and serious talks, I use services of a translator”.
The secretary of industry minister Anatol Rusetski told Euroradio that her boss speaks English, at least, to read an invitation by himself. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Uladzimir Andreichanka, does not speak any foreign language, according to his aide.
“As far as I know, he studied German at school… No, he does not speak foreign languages. The level of German he was taught at school is not sufficient for a fluent conversation”.
The secretary of finance minister Andrei Kharkavets noted that her boss definitely speaks English. But she was not sure if he spoke any other languages.
Central election commission chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshyna frankly admitted she did not speak any language. Leanid Matrashyla, the head of the press office of the Council of the Republic coldly noted the linguistic abilities of chairman Barys Batura were not in his competence and refused to discuss this matter. But, deputy economy minister Andrei Tur said he could speak two languages – English and Spanish.
“I am fluent in English. I also studied Spanish and worked in Cuba for three years. While there, I read lectures in English. I even had my textbook published in Spanish. In English, I can easily do without an interpreter. I have had no speaking practice in Spanish, but I can grasp the sense”.
But he also admitted that if he found himself in the Spanish-speaking environment, he could maintain a conversation fluently after five days.
The European Radio for Belarus has found out what foreign languages are spoken by Belarus officials who have to meet their colleagues from various countries.
Sports Minister Aliaksandr Hruharau says he is fluent in English. Besides, during the Beijing Olypmics he even learned some words in Chinese.
“I speak English. After Beijing, I know some 10-15 words in Chinese”
The minister boasted he had a sufficient command of spoken English. “But when there are official meetings and serious talks, I use services of a translator”.
The secretary of industry minister Anatol Rusetski told Euroradio that her boss speaks English, at least, to read an invitation by himself. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Uladzimir Andreichanka, does not speak any foreign language, according to his aide.
“As far as I know, he studied German at school… No, he does not speak foreign languages. The level of German he was taught at school is not sufficient for a fluent conversation”.
The secretary of finance minister Andrei Kharkavets noted that her boss definitely speaks English. But she was not sure if he spoke any other languages.
Central election commission chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshyna frankly admitted she did not speak any language. Leanid Matrashyla, the head of the press office of the Council of the Republic coldly noted the linguistic abilities of chairman Barys Batura were not in his competence and refused to discuss this matter. But, deputy economy minister Andrei Tur said he could speak two languages – English and Spanish.
“I am fluent in English. I also studied Spanish and worked in Cuba for three years. While there, I read lectures in English. I even had my textbook published in Spanish. In English, I can easily do without an interpreter. I have had no speaking practice in Spanish, but I can grasp the sense”.
But he also admitted that if he found himself in the Spanish-speaking environment, he could maintain a conversation fluently after five days.
