As a web developer, I’m used to working with languages every day — C#, Java, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Each of these has clear syntax, logical structures, and predictable rules. But picking up Russian through Duolingo has been a completely different kind of challenge. Unlike coding languages that rely on logic, Russian comes with its own alphabet (Cyrillic), grammar rules, and cultural nuances that are worlds apart from my native Filipino.
At first glance, learning Russian might seem random for someone from the Philippines working in web development. But I see it as a way to stretch my brain beyond technical problem-solving. Russian opens doors to a rich culture, literature, and even professional opportunities — especially with tech companies and international clients expanding into Eastern Europe.
The biggest shock was the Cyrillic alphabet. For someone used to the Roman alphabet in both English and Filipino, suddenly reading words like “кто” (who) or “друг” (friend) felt like debugging an unfamiliar script. The good part? Having spent years in programming with languages like C# and Java, I already have practice in recognising and adapting to new syntax. Cyrillic became just another “language environment” to familiarise myself with.
In Filipino, words often have Spanish or English roots, so there’s a sense of familiarity. Russian, on the other hand, feels truly distant. Simple everyday words like “папа” (dad) or “мой” (my) don’t resemble anything in Filipino. This strangeness makes the learning process tough but also exciting — like building a complex system with a framework I’ve never used before.
My background in programming has helped me apply the same structured approach to language learning:
Learning Russian through Duolingo isn’t just about professional growth — it’s about expanding how I think and communicate. Programming teaches logic, but languages like Russian remind me of the human side of communication. It’s teaching me patience, adaptability, and humility in learning something totally outside my comfort zone.
This journey is still in its early stages, but just like a long-term project, I know every small step adds up. Whether it’s debugging a program in Java or learning how to say “Where is Mark?” in Russian (“Где Марк?”), progress is progress.