thrown into a backend project as a backend dev with a language I don't know, how fucked am I?
The title itself is a recipe for disaster. Also this is a semi rant.
Yesterday I was informed that I will have the honour to implement the core functionality - which is an interface layer to use the driver of a very expensive hardware shit - of the software I’ve been working on as a frontend dev.
There are two possibilities for the language: C++ or C#. The one that was proposed/imposed is C#, which I know nothing of, while at least I have some hobbyist experience with C++; when asked if I could take some time to familiarise myself with C# I was basically laughed in the face, saying I will learn on the field and at least some of them have some experience with it.
Should I insist to go with C++, or is that an even worse idea in an already fucked up situation?
If you've firmly but politely articulated what your skill set is, and they've told you it's fine, you're literally being paid to skill up. I don't see the problem. You haven't lied about your qualifications, instead you've been told they want you on the project, even though you don't know the language yet. This is a good thing.
And the best part: you have a pretty good excuse if you do happen to fuck up
I love getting paid to learn new stuff. Favorite part about my job