Has anyone here ever learnt Russian?

retired_pyothers1 · 11-22-2007, 10:15 PM

Went to Russia two years ago and learnt a couple of words I was most likely going to be needing. Didn't have the interest or motivation to learn the full language though, I already study 3 languages which is enough tbh.

It's a hard language to learn especially because of the alphabet imo. If you get used to that, I think the hardest part is over.

Millercj · 11-22-2007, 10:17 PM

Oh yes, and another thing, some people put a - insted of to be so Я - студент

retired_swtpe14 · 11-22-2007, 10:18 PM

bit extreme isn't it to turn Russian all because England didn't qualify?

retired_marleysghost · 11-22-2007, 10:20 PM

If you're looking for a book I believe the one I had was the Penguin Beginner's Russian Course.

retired_kishnata · 11-22-2007, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by qualitystreet:
Without getting too technical, they have no present tense of 'to be' so they leave it out.

Example

Я студент

ya student

Means predictably, I am a student but literally means 'I Student' It sounds like Tarzan but its really it. It explains why they miss it (to be) out when they speak English.

So you know another letter Я - ya which means I.

Make sure you get your letter of invitation as soon as possible and get the visa sorted, your Russian friends can help you and there are some sample ones floating round on t'internet. You need definite travel plans as well before you can get this.

One of them did say it might be easier just getting a hotel room as I'd have documentary evidence of where I'm staying. I'll start looking into it properly next week, I have a day off tomorrow.

A few weeks ago I went on one of their Birthday pub crawls around London with all their Russian friends. Only two of us were English, what I gathered was that while Russians are lovely people they are rather nuts.

retired_kishnata · 11-22-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lermon:
bit extreme isn't it to turn Russian all because England didn't qualify?

Yes, today has been fun at work.

Millercj · 11-22-2007, 10:26 PM

Some guest houses so offer letter of invitations for a fee. You shouln't have to pay more than £40. However, I'm told the authorities are clamping down on this practice.

retired_lynlee2008 · 11-22-2007, 10:31 PM

I did GCSE Russian but I've forgotten a lot of it now.I went on a school trip to Moscow and St Petersburg and found it no problem doing simple things, like ordering food, buying train tickets etc. The Cyrillic alphabet takes a bit of getting used to though.

retired_embartl · 11-23-2007, 02:57 AM

it's a piece of p*ss to get to grips with if you've done any language before. If not, slightly harder admittedly but it's mentally hard like Chinese or what have you. Alphabets easy enough to understand. Alot of words phonetically sound similar to if just written differently, so in isolation you'd be able to understand plenty of words anyway. just need to learn em when they're strung together.

retired_lyriclemelodee · 11-23-2007, 03:06 AM

In Soviet Russia language learns you!

Has anyone here ever learnt Russian?

Grab a beer, sit back and relax.

Has anyone here ever learnt Russian?