this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2025
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Estonia's large Russian-speaking minority used to be taught in Russian. The government has responded to Russia's invasion with a reform to end this. Now, lessons will only be taught in Estonian.

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[–] poVoq@slrpnk.net -4 points 16 hours ago (10 children)

Why punish children for things their parents and grandparents did?

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 3 points 16 hours ago (8 children)

Why punish the rest of Estonian society? Why continue to isolate children who can’t speak the local language?

[–] NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io 0 points 9 hours ago (4 children)

You remind me of people arguing that America is an English-speaking country and those filthy Hispanics should just learn the language.

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Estonia has a two-tiered education system. As mentioned in the video, in the Russian-speaking schools, students don’t perform nearly as well as in the Estonian-speaking schools. I’m optimistic that eliminating the language barrier would solve that, and students would be better off.

Also, in Estonia, the Russian-speaking group is a limited number of students (unlike in America, where there’s a regular, constant influx of migrants). The transition will be difficult, but at least the problem has an end in sight, and it’s only a generation or two away. In America, it would go on forever, which is why I wouldn’t support it in the U.S.

[–] NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io 1 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Also, in Estonia, the Russian-speaking group is a limited number of students (unlike in America, where there’s a regular, constant influx of migrants).

Uh... what the shit? That is your problem? Would you support it if Israel suddenly said they'd stop Arabic language education?

The transition will be difficult

Transition to what? The fundamental problem with this sort of de-Russification plan (and let's be clear here the reason is de-Russification) is that... wiping out minority cultures is a bad thing, not that the "transition" is hard. And to make matters worse this is an ideological kneejerk meant to make a statement, not something done to improve these kids' education; I'm not expecting a disaster on the level of Canadian residential schools but this is not good.

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

Would you support it if Israel suddenly said they'd stop Arabic language education?

No, primarily because it’s Arabic land that was carved up by Europeans after WWII. I’m generally in favor of restoring and preserving native rights and culture.

Transition to what?

As I said, an improved education system and less divided society.

The fundamental problem with this sort of de-Russification plan (and let's be clear here the reason is de-Russification)

Neither the video nor I am talking about a large-scale cultural change. Besides, the Estonians are the natives. Less than a hundred years ago, Russia made them a satellite country and treated native Estonians like second class citizens. Putin has used the existence of Russian culture as an excuse to invade other countries. If this is indeed part of a de-Russification plan, Estonia is only doing it to prevent being invaded and wiped out.

Wiping out cultures is a bad thing, right? Russia already has their own country. Their culture is safe.

[–] NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io 1 points 4 hours ago

Neither the video nor I am talking about a large-scale cultural change.

It doesn't need to have "large-scale cultural change" written on it to be large-scale cultural change. It's nearly guaranteed there's more coming where this came from. This whole thing stinks of WWII Japanese internment camps.

Besides, the Estonians are the natives.

Why does that matter?

Less than a hundred years ago, Russia made them a satellite country and treated native Estonians like second class citizens.

Yeah and screw them for that. However, this is a whole generation ago; Russian-speaking children today have nothing to do with that.

If this is indeed part of a de-Russification plan, Estonia is only doing it to prevent being invaded and wiped out.

Estonia the... EU country? Are you kidding me?

Russia already has their own country. Their culture is safe.

Again replace Russian with Arabic and see if your argument makes sense.

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