To Jack-Re:Let's talk about somehing uncontra

[TwoBitBandit]

... in response to Re: On learning Russian..., posted by Ken W on Jan 26, 2004

Hey, don't knock Pimsleur--it's great stuff.  I did all three levels of Pimsleur and highly recommend it.  I still go back and do level 3 when I am running on the treadmill sometimes.

Now I'm doing more nitty-gritty stuff--grammar, writing, noun cases, etc.  When I go back and listen to Pimsleur now, I actually understand it a lot better--I understand a lot of the constructs they use a lot better.

Pimsleur is a great starting point and if you're only going to spend a little time learning Russian, you get your best "bang for the buck" with Pimsleur.  If you're serious, though, you eventually have to move to something else.

[Ken W]

... in response to Pimsleur, posted by TwoBitBandit on Jan 27, 2004

Oh I wasn't knocking Pim, I was just including my mandatory disclaimer about the evils of file sharing.

(because lord knows, a few CD's in a cheap plastic case are well worth 300 bucks!)

;P

Ken WIlliams

[surfscum]

... in response to On learning Russian..., posted by TwoBitBandit on Jan 24, 2004

Russian has 6 cases, if I remember right, and latin has 5, so it is NOT an easy language to learn. It sounds like you are doing it right, you are to be commended! It WILL pay off for ya. It might even lead to a good job with the gov or Hughes, et al.

I studied Arabic at DLI and I remember when my friends studying russian were introduced to the motion verbs: they looked absolutely shell-shocked. I remember they said that during the first few weeks they had been using "eetee."

It could be worse: Korean has 16 pronouns!

[TwoBitBandit]

... in response to Re: On learning Russian..., posted by surfscum on Jan 25, 2004

Six cases isn't that bad.

Finnish is supposed to be the hardest of the "western" (non-Asian) languages.  It has twelve noun cases in the singular and thirteen in the plural.  In Finnish, the word "not" (as in "I will not eat broccoli) conjugates like a verb.  "I not", "you not", "they not" are all different foms of the word "not".

Those verbs of motion are confusing.  I still can't use some of them correctly--Russian speakers tell me I am using the wrong one for what I am describing.  The "ooh" and "pre" ones are pretty easy and easy to understand.  Fortunately, the Russians I've met are pretty forgiving of my broken Russian.

[LP]

... in response to On learning Russian..., posted by TwoBitBandit on Jan 24, 2004

[This message has been edited by LP]


...and my compliments to you for your efforts. Whether you choose to apply them to MOB or non MOB situations is up to you but at least you'll have the choice to make.

I know some things are tough but that's what makes them (for me) rewarding. And in this case the practical rewards outweigh study involved. Learning new things is hard, it takes effort and in my experience most people would rather die than think. It cracks me up how many people feel the things they want most in life oughta come easy. And when it doesn't, they blame everyone else. One should do whatever it takes to be a cut above and get the job done, no matter the price.

But one doesn't need to be fluent and much of the grammar can be ignored at first. My point was a guy should at least learn enough to free himself from the MOB shackles, enough to communicate with everyday people. Body language takes care of the rest, in any country.

Tailor the depth of learning to the mission, in this case it doesn't have to be as far as you're going. I sound like a total idiot when I speak the language but all the women I've met understand me just fine. They know how difficult (be sure you tell them how difficult) it is and when you show them you've made the effort it seldom goes unappreciated.

[tfcrew]

... in response to De todos colores, de todos sabores., posted by surfscum on Jan 24, 2004

Dosvidanya means "farewell".
Vaya con Dio  is the closest Spanish equivalent.

Karl

[nautilus]

... in response to Perhaps you know this..., posted by tfcrew on Jan 24, 2004

I usually read the Latin board, b/c that's what I am mostly interested, but I just wanted to make a little correction, since I am a native Russian speaker.

'Do svidania' is equivalent to 'hasta la vista' (which is what it literally means in translation) or 'hasta luego'.  Equivalent to farewell is proshchai, accent on the last syllable.

Anyway, I realize that it is difficult for foreign people to learn Russian, although it is different from country to country.  Many Germans seem to be able to learn it fairly well, of course Poles and other Slavs.  I can tell though, that if a Russian person meets a foreigner who can speak their language, he (or she) will be profoundly impressed.  

So, good luck to anyone who is serious about doing this!

[surfscum]

... in response to Perhaps you know this..., posted by tfcrew on Jan 24, 2004

Right, it was an attempt at humor. I won't be quitting my day job.

[old guy]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: To Jack-Re:Let's talk about ..., posted by Jack on Jan 23, 2004

As someone who married a Russian sooooooo many years ago, I'm here to tell you, there is nothing non/un-controversial about this endeavor at all.  Just try bringing home a foreign bride and see what your momma thinks, worse yet, what does grandma think?  It matters not at all where she is from, Russia, Mexico, Germany, where ever you travel, bringing home a bride from overseas will get you in trouble with your friends and family.

I have stated I know nothing about how to suggest a man find a RW, and that's true, I spent many years as an ex-pat, I got married the old fashioned way, I chased her until she caught me in a weak moment and I said something stupid, hence, I'm married. The union has produced two children who are the light of my life, and I wouldn't trade a single minute of it for all the rice in China.  

Regarding your post about age differences, I agree with you 100%, no woman in her right mind wants an old duffer to push around in a wheelchair.  Of all my wife's friends still in Russia, single women, not one of them would consider a man 20 years her senior, it's just not normal to their way of thinking.  My oldest boy is dating a girl 5 years his junior and they feel that's a stretch.

Keep up the good work, shining light into dark corners may not win you friends, but it will earn respect when the chips are down.  Been there, done that.

[AJ277]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: To Jack-Re:Let's talk ab..., posted by old guy on Jan 23, 2004

old guy said-
As someone who married a Russian sooooooo many years ago, I'm here to tell you, there is nothing non/un-controversial about this endeavor at all. Just try bringing home a foreign bride and see what your momma thinks, worse yet, what does grandma think? It matters not at all where she is from, Russia, Mexico, Germany, where ever you travel, bringing home a bride from overseas will get you in trouble with your friends and family.
*******************

Hmm its is possible but not a given?

my friend and family are very supportive.My mother and father couldnt be happier.

a few friends have thought it odd or had misunderstandings and stereotypes,,
but my good friends took the time to find out why i would marry someone from another culture/country, and trusted in that i wouldnt unless i felt it was a good thing.

My grandmaorthr was very excited to meet her. and thought it was great,she passed away before the visa came thru.

*************
as for age differences, i agree on average..
and of course 20 years is a LOT, its another generation!

however 5 years is certainly not "pushing the envelope"
in any country or culture.
a 25 year old man married to a 20 year old woman will not get a second glance or a comment anywhere on this planet.

lets "keep it real"