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Dutch influence on Russian maritime terminology

Did you know that the Russian language is full of Dutch maritime terms?

This goes back to the late 17th century, when Peter the Great sent young, talented Russians to the Low Countries to learn shipbuilding and navigation. They returned with new skills and with plenty of Dutch words.

Today, Russians still say flot (fleet), matsjta (mast), kompas, werf, stoerman (helmsman), jachta (yacht) and kajoeta(cabin).

A surprising legacy of our shared maritime history!

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