Igor: so he still needs an interpreter after 3 years here?

[Icarium]

If you’ve played on sports teams, which you have, you’ll know that being able to talk to your teammates and hang out with them is kind of important.

You can do that just fine even if your English is at Malkin's "I am score" level, so...

 

[WarriorofTime]

I don't think players need that much language training for purposes of communication, much is rather intuitive. A sport like soccer is far more tactical and all the top teams have players from all over the world that don't speak the same language.

 

[Based Anime Fan]

Ichiro used an interpreter for his entire career.

It doesn't mean anything.

 

[SI90]

Not unusual. English is actually one of the most difficult languages to learn Because it doesn’t make much sense.


Some guys prefer to keep the interpreter even if they can understand and speaks English for a couple of reasons one they’re more comfortable in their native language and two they want their interpreter to keep their job

 

[Zine]

Keep in mind, beyond the innate linguistic difficulties, American culture is quite pervasive throughout Western Europe. English is easy to pick up because kids (even if not taking English in school) are exposed to American music, TV shows, etc. from a young age.

But this is not always the case in lot of E. European, Asian, etc. countries.....especially when you leave the larger cosmopolitan areas. We have our own shows, music, etc.

Also, high-level athletes generally aren't the most educated of people. Most of their time is spent on developing the rare talent they have rather than indulging in academics. A lot of these players live in a hockey bubble world.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Who cares. I don’t think it should be expected. If someone can get by without it, what’s the problem?

 

[Zine]

At the end of the day, people do what's in their best interest.

If learning English was paramount to being an NHLer, every Russian player would speak it fluently.

But it's not. You just need to know just enough to communicate with teammates, order dinner, etc. Anything else is gravy.

End of story.

 

[Jugitsu]

The reason why Scandinavians (Swedes especially) speak such good english is because their countries are small and there is not a ton of media that is created in their native tongue, so a lot of what they consume as far as TV, movies and music goes is english-speaking content.

This. Though Finland is not part of Scandinavia the same applies there. I was a movie enthusiast and hardcore gamer way before I was taught English at school. And quite honestly the first year felt almost insulting, how basic level stuff we were being taught. Sure, having a great school system helps a lot but the American entertainment business has a much bigger influence in learning English than people give them credit for.

I had to ”learn” Swedish at almost every level of my educational path and I can honestly say I can’t understand a single word my lovely neighbours speak. Which I feel sad about now in my mid 30’s but am too lazy to do anything about anymore.

 

[David Suzuki]

Is this disappointing, or only somewhat disappointing (if at all) to the Rangers, their fans and the NHL that any player, esp. a star, hasn't learned enough English after 3 years to engage in a quick intermission interview?

Wait until you hear Brendan Gallagher's french!

 

[crazy8888]

He doesn’t need interpreter to make saves thats all that matters.

 

[JadedLeaf]

Hmm...on ESPN's game 7 NYR-Carolina game, I learned that Igor has been here about 3 years, yet still needs an interpreter. I don't closely follow the Rangers, so wasn't aware.

Is this disappointing, or only somewhat disappointing (if at all) to the Rangers, their fans and the NHL that any player, esp. a star, hasn't learned enough English after 3 years to engage in a quick intermission interview?

I realize some or many Russian NHL players (and maybe others?) have thick accents even after many years in North America, but after 3 years, don't most or all seem to be able to function in simple interviews without an interpreter?

Is this common in MLB or the NBA? I do recall interpreters, maybe even currently, in other sports, but isn't it usually for the player's first year or so, not three years later?

I am American, and sadly only know English despite foreign language courses in high school and even a few advanced French courses in college, decades ago. I do realize how hard it is as an adult to learn a new language if not immersed in it, which I never was. But hockey players are indeed immersed in English in the NHL, so isn't three years too long to still need an interpreter?

Any current pro stars in other North American sports require an interpreter?

...

Oh, and Canes fans never serenaded Igor tonight (or all series?) unlike Pens fans. They should have started at puck drop! No excuse.

Learning a language after childhood is pretty difficult. I don't think native English speakers understand just how little sense some of the rules of the language make to others who didn't learn it growing up. Even just little things like plural forms of words. It's confusing how the plural form of the word mouse is mice but house which is almost identical is house's. And goose is geese for some reason but moose is just moose.

I was always impressed with non native speakers that learned in adulthood. I was born fluent French and English but just not speaking French as much as when I was a kid I'm very far from fluent now. It takes a lot of effort to learn a new language and if you don't maintain it by using it regularly you lose it.

Another thing, at least for me is when I started losing my French I would get embarrassed or frustrated speaking with the French side of my family because I was a little ashamed that my ability to speak French deteriorated so bad. Feels like I can't find the words or make complex enough sentences to be able to communicate things properly. I can't imagine trying to do it in front of national TV cameras.

 

[PepeBostones]

Sweden or Scandianavia truly americanized since long. All the movies, TV-shows and rock pop music set the tone in western Europe since almost half a century before internet.

Nowadays Swedes speak English even before taking the compulsary in school starting at eight.

Hockey's language always used English terms too. Go Canada Go and we love to speak the English language so much we sometimes forget our own) thus becoming swinglish. A common theme among the coaching staff

 

[Tob]

Press conferences are not as easy as it appears if you're not speaking your language. One awkward phrasing, one weird vocab, or misunderstanding and suddenly you've started WW3. If I spoke a language 70% proficiently, I would still opt for a translator if it's a professional meeting with legal implications etc. I'm sure he orders sushi and communicates with his teammates just fine.

 

[StreetHawk]

Press conferences are not as easy as it appears if you're not speaking your language. One awkward phrasing, one weird vocab, or misunderstanding and suddenly you've started WW3. If I spoke a language 70% proficiently, I would still opt for a translator if it's a professional meeting with legal implications etc. I'm sure he orders sushi and communicates with his teammates just fine.

Most can listen better than they speak a second language.

 

[Taluss]

Most can listen better than they speak a second language.

Its actually the opposite for me but yeah I’ve heard this too

 

[JadedLeaf]

Most can listen better than they speak a second language.

Can confirm. Growing up in a French and English part of the country most people could understand the other language even if they couldn't or weren't confident enough to speak it themselves. I don't have trouble understanding French but I've lost enough of it that sentence structure and verbs are what I have a hard time putting together when I speak it.

It's funny because as soon as someone laughs or smirks at me trying to speak French to them I switch to English and watch them struggle to speak it and if they keep trying to speak French I just say I can't understand lol.

 

[North Cole]

English is a very hard language to learn

Yes, English is a hodgepodge language. The amount of articles and other stupidity we have to use makes it much more complicated than traditional gendered languages.

People on here will claim it's not, I just wait for the yearly - "Offsides or offside, why are we saying it wrong?" thread.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Podkolzin needed a translator in training camp after just arriving in North America. 8 months later he did his end of year press conference in his own and killed it. He also shared in that press conference that he and his wife were taking English lessons. It’s about priorities and effort.

It’s not a big deal, Igor doesn’t have to learn English if he doesn’t want to. But to say “English is hard!” I mean cmon. Lots of things in life are difficult. I would argue that there is perhaps no easier way to learn English than to be placed into an English speaking society and be on a team where you’re shooting the shit with your buddies all day.

Completely OT.

But...20 and married

Wow!!!

 

[LPHabsFan]

Forget three years! He should have learned it in 6 months! He should be refused services and not be allowed to talk to anyone in an official capacity unless it's in English! BTW, it's sarcastic in one regard and on the point in another considering what's going on here.

I teach international kids now and have for the past 5 years who are expected to learn both English and French. First comes reading, then listening, then writing, then last is speaking.

Is it a bit odd? Maybe depending on how his actual English is. There is also a difference between talking in front of an audience for the whole world to see vs talking to someone 1 on 1 or in a group setting. It's not a big deal.

 

[Icarium]

The amount of articles and other stupidity we have to use makes it much more complicated than traditional gendered languages.

Very complicated if you want to master its intricacies. Learning enough to say the usual cliches the players repeat like robots in these interviews is a few orders of magnitude simpler.
Not that I think players should strive to do it, mind you. It's a waste of time for everyone involved. His teammates clearly understand him just fine and that's all that matters.

 

[Osprey]

He may be comfortable speaking to teammates in the locker room, but not in front of a camera.

That sounds like how I'm comfortable talking to my friends, but my words come out as gibberish in front of girls. Maybe I could use an interpreter, too.

 

[Kresnik]

Russian culture is very different as well, I think people are not very outgoing and social in Russia they are some what withdrawn. Ovechkin however is different, he is very outgoing and social and when you are outgoing and social you learn language way quicker.

 

[YippieKaey]

I don’t feel any obligation to answer irrelevant personal questions.

If you’ve played on sports teams, which you have, you’ll know that being able to talk to your teammates and hang out with them is kind of important.

Ok cool guy. I think Shesterkin is doing quite well. Irregardless (which is a word?) of his language skills. And you should try learning a second language. I can recommend spanish, it is very similar to english.

 

[Akrapovince]

He’s English-less making millions playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. I’m talentless speaking perfectly good English.

 

[Turbonium]

Fair enough, I guess.

But imagine if that were the case for all or most international players. Not good for any sport trying to attract fans.

I can't say me being a fan of a sport, team, or player was ever due to what language they spoke. I'm not paying money to listen to them, I'm paying money to watch them do what 99.99% of the world can't.