WayToRussia.Net Guide to Russia
 
    Made by Travelers from Russia for Travelers Worldwide Guide to RussiaTravel ServicesOur Team
    >> WayToRussia.Net / Talk Lounge
  guide to russia
  what is russia
practicalities
transportation
russian visa
destinations
talk lounge
life in russia
 
  travel services
  apartment rent
accommodation
airline tickets
train tickets
visa support 
transfer / taxi
tours
extra services
 
  our team
Way to Russia Talk Lounge
Way to Russia warm-up: place both your hands in front of you and then count one word for each finger, starting from the left thumb: "Conversation Is a Way of Finding Out What You Think".
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   ChatChat   Log inLog in 

WayToRussia.Net Blog & Updates:
 

Subscribe to Way to Russia News Feeds:
Add to My Yahoo! WayToRussia.Net Updates Feed Subscribe in NewsGator Online
Latest Forum Posts:
 

Talk Lounge Posts at Your Fingertips:
Add to My Yahoo!  Way to Russia Talk Lounge  Subscribe in NewsGator Online


Please, book your travel services directly through Way to Russia to support our free independent travel guide.

You will get lower prices, faster reply, and our backup in dealing with providers.



learning the language?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Travel Advice (Practicalities)
Author Message
horcgal
Just Starting


Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 12:08 am    Post subject: learning the language? Reply with quote

HI,

Im new to this forum. I know Im a LONG way off from actually travelling to Russia and have been reading the various posts for tips, advice, ideas, etc.

Has anyone on this forum ever learned to speak Russian? did you go to a school for it? take some sort of online courses? How many years did it take to learn? I recently saw something about some "Pimsleur" language method that sounded interesting, but good marketing can make anything sound interesting even if not true!!!!

Im just looking to learn basic conversational skills. If I couldnt figure out a sign, I could at least be able to ask someone.

Thank you.
Karen
Back to top
Vasenka
Just Starting


Joined: 08 Jul 2008
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:04 am    Post subject: Russian Language Reply with quote

Learn the Russian Alphabet immediately...

Many Russian words are the same or very similar to English words, ---so called "congnates." Hopefully not "false friends!"

Then, you'll be able to read street, metro and store signs immediately.

Learn basic phrases from a travel book... Where's _____? How much does this cost...? Russian is inflected but the word order is similar to English.

Vocabulary is hard to pick up since most English speakers can't "think in" Cyrillic... So you've got to learn to "see" and "say" the word! The Russian alphabet is pretty much you say what you see... Some letters change their sound depending on where they are in the word...but only a few. Laughing

A lot of common Russian phrases...do not translate literally...they are idioms...that seem strange to English speakers!

But "Privet" ...Hi....

And "Kak Dela..." How's it going?

Can go a long way and get you through the day.
Back to top
horcgal
Just Starting


Joined: 07 Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 5:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for the reply.

So.....learn to read it first. Are there any sites online that teach the alphabet ? It looks like it might be difficult, but I think I can do it !!!

Ive looked at a few english to russian phrase books, however the difficult part is the pronunciation of the words. So, Im looking for a program or something that I can learn to speak it also.

thanks for everyone's help !!
Back to top
Vasenka
Just Starting


Joined: 08 Jul 2008
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try:

http://www.learnrussianfree.com
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Travel Advice (Practicalities) All times are GMT + 3 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 


Cheap Phonecalls to/from Russia

Way to Russia Phonecards







Get this Forum's Posts / Topic at Your Fingertips:
 
Add to My Yahoo! Add to Google Subscribe with Bloglines Subscribe in NewsGator Online Way to Russia Talk Lounge  Way to Russia Talk Lounge
(If you subscribe, you will be able to track new posts in this specific forum / topic. You can use your personal Yahoo or Google page, as well as specialized RSS readers.)
 
 


WayToRussia.Net - p-h-p-B-i-B-i