retired_kishnata

Two Russian friends at work have invited me to go to Moscow with them in May. Hopefully i'll be able to stay with one of their parents, if not they will sort me out with a good hotel etc.

Now, when I go i want to at least learn some Russian, rather than being a lazy Brit.

They are going to start teaching me from next week, and over time all our conversations will be in Russian. Which maybe amusing.

The other guy reckons he can learn in 2 weeks, for me I know it will be far, far longer.

So has anyone learnt, and how long did it take you to get to a reasonably competent level?

retired_poptikeni

I haven't personally but my friend learnt a bit at school and she says its quite hard, 36 letters in their alphabet iirc.

retired_laticia3

I prefer to take my time, instead of Russian.

retired_jabda

I plan to learn Slovak

Millercj

Its difficult but but doable.

They have a case system rather like German and Polish (Horrificaly hard). When listening to them try to get the soft sounds right and copy their stress on each word.

Also when starting with the alphabet tranliterate each new letter, after a while you get the abilty to read the whole thing quickly.

If they write things down for you get them to print it OR use the handwritten form, using the both is confusing, the 'D' equivalent as an example.

You can elready read some words as the are the the same: ATOM and MAMA are the same in
Russian, but watch out for 'false friends' like the C/S.

retired_lina2212

man you rule

retired_tam5868

a friend from uni did erasmus in st peterburg so he speaks quite well.
another friend did a gcse in it for some reason.
never tried myself but can't see it being easy.

doubt it could be as hard as i imagine learning polish or finnish would be.

retired_kishnata

Don't worry, i'll definatley be taking my time, I have 6 months.

retired_marleysghost

Did it for a year and gave up, hth :thup:

I was a language student as well. To be honest all the basic stuff is simple enough because it's all learning phrases like you'd do with any language. The grammar is just a write off for me though - more complex than German at any rate.

Ya igrayoo ve futbol

Millercj

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.