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There is an argument that stereotypical ethnic Russians are Finno-Ugric people. Moreover, if you go almost anywhere in Siberia, 50% or more of the locals will

There is an argument that stereotypical ethnic Russians are Finno-Ugric people. Moreover, if you go almost anywhere in Siberia, 50% or more of the locals will be of ethnic minorities native to the area (you may describe their appearance as Asian). More in rural areas. Many regions are dual language, Russian + indigenous. This includes the largest administrative region on Earth that is not a country.

retrac 5y ago
> ethnic stereotypical Russians are Finno-Ugric people They speak Russian, a Slavic language. The culture is clearly linked and descended from the Old Slavonic people. I'd love to know about the thinking as I'm scratching my head here. This is the first I've heard this claim and I am half Finnish, quarter Russian by ethnicity. My grandparents certainly did not think they were from the same ethnic group.
- goblin89 5y ago
  The first argument is theoretical and controversial. The second point is not.
  - messe 5y ago
    What part of Russian being a Slavic language is controversial?
    - svnt 5y ago
      Poster is not saying that — they are answering the immediate parent’s question, not analyzing his arguments, and instead analyzing the two arguments of the grandparent post.
- helge9210 5y ago
  > They speak Russian, a Slavic language Modern Russian is a little bit older than hundred years. "Pre-reform" language was significantly different in script, vocabulary and grammar and wasn't older than hundred years itself. Before Napoleonic war 1812 nobility was speaking French, ruling family was German and serfs were speaking Polish, Belarusian, Ukrainian or one of the Turkic dialects. The only slavic parts remaining in the modern Russian is Cyrillic script and words borrowed from Ukrainian.
  - muzika 5y ago
    Not exactly true. The Bible was translated into Russian in 1820 so we have a pretty good idea of what Russian language was like back then (99% similar to today’s language). There were a few minor changes to the script, but nothing crazy.

retrac 5y ago

> ethnic stereotypical Russians are Finno-Ugric people They speak Russian, a Slavic language. The culture is clearly linked and descended from the Old Slavonic people. I'd love to know about the thinking as I'm scratching my head here. This is the first I've heard this claim and I am half Finnish, quarter Russian by ethnicity. My grandparents certainly did not think they were from the same ethnic group.

goblin89 5y ago
The first argument is theoretical and controversial. The second point is not.
- messe 5y ago
  What part of Russian being a Slavic language is controversial?
  - svnt 5y ago
    Poster is not saying that — they are answering the immediate parent’s question, not analyzing his arguments, and instead analyzing the two arguments of the grandparent post.
helge9210 5y ago
> They speak Russian, a Slavic language Modern Russian is a little bit older than hundred years. "Pre-reform" language was significantly different in script, vocabulary and grammar and wasn't older than hundred years itself. Before Napoleonic war 1812 nobility was speaking French, ruling family was German and serfs were speaking Polish, Belarusian, Ukrainian or one of the Turkic dialects. The only slavic parts remaining in the modern Russian is Cyrillic script and words borrowed from Ukrainian.
- muzika 5y ago
  Not exactly true. The Bible was translated into Russian in 1820 so we have a pretty good idea of what Russian language was like back then (99% similar to today’s language). There were a few minor changes to the script, but nothing crazy.