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	Create New Topic   My Posts   My forum buddies   Invite friends   Private messages Russian brides > Main Forum > Learning the lingo Author Post dma Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/16/2004 12:56:56 PM   I'm just starting to get to grips with the cyrillic alphabet and suddenly everything doesn't quite look so alien! I feel like a 3 year old again and will be doing my 1 - 10 numbers tonight! ;-) What problems have others had in learning, potential pitfalls, headaches, suggestions etc to improve your learning? What kind of effort and time-frame has it taken (assuming average ability) to be comfortable with the lingo or be able to get around independantly? Buran_Fan Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/16/2004 1:34:29 PM   I started learning Russian back in 2001. I've had classroom as well as self-directed study. Using the finance.com language scale, I'd rate myself about a 6. My biggest problems have been: * Stressing the correct syllable * What case is used for what situation e.g. words following 'B' indicating location use Prepositional Case, words following 'B' indicating a destination of motion use Accusative Case; * Remembering case endings * Verbs of motion - Russian seems to have 10 to the 23rd words which mean 'to go' depending on if you're traveling on foot, by car, within the city, leaving the city, etc. Recommended books: Golosa ------ This is texbook I used. It's written by Richard and Joanna Robin of George Washington University. Their website at GWU has downloadable audio files to go with the exercises in the book. Lonely Planet Russian Phrasebook -------------------------------- Contains the usual (and some not so usual) words and phrases for getting around. What's nice about this book is that it contains 'phonetic' versions of the phrases, so you can concentrate more on pronunciation. Dermo! The Real Russian Tolstoy Never Used ------------------------------------------- Even if only for entertainment value, this book teaches the 'proper' way to swear in Russian :-) Using Russian: A Guide To Contemporary Usage ---------------------------------------------- I can't recommend this book highly enough. It covers many of the problems native English speakers have with Russian. Time frame: I had two years of classroom instruction, and currently am trying to maintain and advance my language skills on my own. I could proabably do some basic things on my own (order in a restaurant, buy something in a store), but I still wouldn't feel confident enough to engage anything too complex. My strongest suggestion: PRACTICE! I don't get to do it often enough, and its evident :-( zhelayoo vam s'chastya! (Good Luck!) dma Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/16/2004 1:43:37 PM   thanks for a thorough run down. I'm hoping to cover the basics (forget cases) in 8 - 10 weeks self-taught doing approx 1hr day. Numbers/Colours/Food/Places/Travel/Directions/Time/Dates etc As you say, practice makes perfect, the ability to learn and memory retention. spasibo TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/16/2004 2:12:42 PM   Agreed Buran !!! Verbs of motion - Russian seems to have 10 to the 23rd words which mean 'to go' depending on if you're traveling on foot, by car, within the city, leaving the city, etc. EG: Pdoum, Patoum, Peryercolay !!! (Phonetis written just in case anyone is thinking that how they is wrote in Russian :o)) ) Confuses the hell out me still !!! gladiatorUK Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 1:39:38 AM   I thought I was doing reasonably well with my attempts at Russian Del,until my lady teasingly now corrects me with the proper Ukranian words!!!!! dma Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 2:26:17 AM   lol. then you need to find some different way to tease her back ;-) TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 4:10:28 AM   Glad, now she is here you wont have any problems learning :o) Del' Tease :P gladiatorUK Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 3:53:37 PM   Del: I do tease her.........I'm from Liverpool!...and as you know we do have a way with words..:)) Tim: The only problem I have is trying to match her determination and concentration level!It never fails to amaze me just how much effort she puts in each and every day learning my language. dma Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 3:57:04 PM   lol@glad TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 4:29:22 PM   Now a Russian lady speaking Scouse I really would like to hear ;o))) "Come ed" with a Ukraine lilt LOL TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 4:30:48 PM   Now den Now de !! Calm down calm down !! ;o))) gladiatorUK Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 7:35:23 PM   Those words are so close to the truth Tim!!! It really is so funny to hear Inna repeat our quaint local dialect..:)),and a bit of a trial for me too as she has told me on several occasions now that I must learn to speak english!!!!!!! It's affected me so much I am seriously thinking of losing the curly perm and selling the shell suit..:) TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/17/2004 8:52:44 PM   LMFAO !!!!! I always said Scousers spoke a different lingo to English :o)) Good one Inna ;o)) Glad, When I heard that they were building the new Jag`s near the Pool I had amusing images of Ford fiesta`s, and escorts running around with leaping cats bolted on the bonnets, the most flash wheels imaginable, and bumpers that were about 4 inches too wide to fit the cars they had been robbed for ;o)) But I have to say mate, your good humour, and Del`s too make coming to this forum a real pleasure, and Im sure in time Inna wil teach you to speak English very well ;o))) gladiatorUK Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 1:40:25 AM   Tim: thanks for the compliment mate,the feeling here is mutual.The forum here has been a very useful source of info and ideas as we seem to be lucky enough to have a very knowledgeable cross-section of guys from both sides of the pond willing to share their experiences. That's the main reason Inna reads the posts with me too...(as well as being able to improve her english),and mine too it seems!!! Even seasoned travellers to the FSU can learn a lot here,as I have found on many occasions,and there have been many times that my lady has commented on this.Even the lowlife that sometimes appear usually realise this quite quickly and crawl back under their respectives stones. gladiatorUK Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 1:47:43 AM   BTW...........the Jag IS built in Liverpool...(Halewood)at the old Ford plant,but only after the site had been upgraded......higher fences,armed guards,minefield etc etc....lol. and most of the Fiesta and Escort boys now usually use stereos and interiors from Lexus!!!.:))) For the less knowledgeable about Liverpool: The chap broken down on the road,bonnet raised,peering at his engine is approached by "one of the lads" who promptly tells the motorist "If you're havin the battery mate,I'll take the wheels".:)))) dma Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 4:40:51 AM   lol TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 3:23:27 PM   LOL< I bet you are not joking about the high fence and guards (though I doubt armed) are you mate ? ;o)) While on this subjest, Ferrari are in negotiations with Liverpool job centres at the moment for a new "Pit crew", apparently its a well known fact that no-one can get the wheels off a car faster than a team of scousers ;o)) TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 3:24:33 PM   I noticed that recently we have had a few "trolls" in here, but they have all run off very quickly too, which suits me fine :o)) gladiatorUK Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 5:01:23 PM   It's me thats doin the recruiting Tim!!!!!.....always fancied a Ferrari. and No I'm not armed unless you can count a Ukranian lady who is a black belt...:)))) TimH Member send PM   block PM add to buddies Send: 3/19/2004 5:14:45 PM   Just a belt ? No skirt or blouse ? wow :o)) Kinky ;o)) Your Reply: Your name:   New Registration Password:   Forgot password?   refresh Code:   Russian brides > Main Forum > Learning the lingo
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