Off-Topic /
Slavic languages - oldest European languages. [12]
The most funny Slavic language for me is Belorussian. You would understand it if you would be a native Russian speaker. By the way, Belorussian is probably the most decorative European language. If you will visit Minsk, you will see inscriptions in Belarussian in metro, government institutions, educational institutions, national currency, etc. You will hear Belarussian in metro (conductor voices), public transport (driver gives information), national TV and radio. In the same time 95+ % of population speak regular Russian in their daily life and at work.
I have at least two explanations why Belarus population stick to Belarussian language at the official level. First of all their govt. needs to explain why Belarus is independent country and isn't part of Russia. Secondly they have sentimental feelings toward something they regard a local heritage. The same story happened in Ukraine where in 1990-th around 40% of population spoke Ukrainian in daily life and 60% spoke Russian. (Other native speakers are few). In the last 30 years Ukrainian was the only govt. language, Russian schools became small minority. A lot of Ukrainian TV and mass media. As a result proficiency of local population in Ukrainian grew significantly.
