Learning Russian - Russian Ukrainian Belarus Travel Music Woman Dating News

	The Russian Meeting Place: A place to meet people and talk about all things Russian... International Discussions about Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Travel, Music, Russian News, Ukrainian culture, Belarusian Dating, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kiev and other intelligent topics about life in the former Soviet Union.

Pages: 1

Learning Russian
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)

Posted by: mistermopar

I have been trying for a quite awhile now to learn Russian.
I thought I was doing good with what I have learned.
But when I speak to my friend in Russian,some of the words I use are not right.
I have been useing a computer program where I can here how the word is said.When I said potatoe in Russian she did not understand at first,it was not the way I pronced it,it was the ending on the word.She said the way I say it is a stronger word,mostly found in books,but would not be used when speaking.
When I use the phrase "speak more slowly" in Russian, she understands it as "speak louder" ???

Are my programs and books not good,or is it there are so many veriations to the words??
Most of the things I said,she understood with the correct translation.

Thanks
Randy

Posted by: mistermopar

Hummm no responces yet?Lie to me if you have to,I need to know.

Randy

Posted by: skinsfan

okay Randy..here is your lie.....it is simply your Canadian accent... i joke my friend...but imagine a good ole southern boy with his unique accent speaking Russian...my Russian friends get a big kick just listening to me try.

Posted by: mistermopar

OK,good enough for me,thanks.LOL
Randy

Posted by: Eryk

>>When I said potatoe in Russian she did not understand at first,it was not >>the way I pronced it,it was the ending on the word.

Potato is usually "Kartoshka" ...you probably said "Kartofil".

Eryk

Posted by: BradIL

Mistermopar---

Randy... I am using Ingo's "Russian in 3 months" (a paperback that is hard to find anymore)... with tapes from Educational Services Corp. I have used some russian in phone calls and with an interpreter and can be understood.

A trick (if you can) is listen carefully to Russians as they speak English. Listen to the melody/rhythm of their voice and the way they pronounce our nouns and consonants. If you try to mimic it in Russian words you may sound a little silly (oh well!)... but its amazing that the Russian ear can easily figure out what you are trying to say. I may butcher the word, but it seems easier for Russians to grasp what you are trying to say. That's the way it has worked for me on occasion.

Never worry about the mistakes... trial and error is a time-tested way of learning! GOOD LUCK!

Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:

Potato is usually "Kartoshka" ...you probably said "Kartofil".

Eryk,that is it,I say Kartofil,they say kartoska.At first they did not know what I had ment until I said potato in English.My books and computer program both say kartofil...is there a real differance?

BradIL,

Quote:

I am using Ingo's "Russian in 3 months"

Yaaaaa,I had this at one time from the libary,what a great book and tapes.The libary threw it out after someone damaged the tapes.I have been searching for it for a long time now and no luck.I thought I had the title wrong,that is why I could not find it.I was right on the title.So yes it is hard to find.

Thanks Eryk and BradIL,

Randy

Posted by: BradIL

Randy--- the published name of the book is HUGO, not Ingo, but it sounds like we are referring to the same publication, issued in 1998 by Dorling Kindersley- London. Excellent phonetical pronouncer-cues to the Russian words! Sorry about the error.

Posted by: mistermopar

Hey BradIL,
Yes I believe it is the same one,I did a new search last night for it and found it this time.Althought the cover looks differant I think it is the same one.The one I had ,had a blue cover,the one on the net had a person on the cover.
For the price,I think I will take the chance and get it,I will wait untill I am back from my trip.
Besides,how many books and tapes would have the name "Russian in three months".

Randy

Posted by: BradIL

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinsfan

imagine a good ole southern boy with his unique accent speaking Russian...my Russian friends get a big kick just listening to me try.

Russian with a Carolinian (unique from the rest of Dixie) accent... yeah... that has to be DISTINCTIVE!

Perhaps a few of those Russians can understand why southern accents can be charming, even regal, to other Americans (especially we bland midwesterners).

skinsfan- I've never really chatted with you- from what part of NC do you hail? My maternal kin have long-standing roots in western NC, the area around Jackson-Hayward-Translyvania counties and towards the Smokies... are you anywhere close?

Posted by: Eryk

>>that is it,I say Kartofil,they say kartoska.At first they did not know what I >>had ment until I said potato in English.My books and computer program >>both say kartofil...is there a real differance?

The difference is one of common usage. I can't think of an exact equivalent in English off the top of my head. Something along the lines of saying "Aeroplane" when people expect you to just say "Plane".

Eryk