For that foreigners love and hate the Russian language
Forming / / December 19, 2019
Russian - one of the most difficult languages. Those who teach it as a foreign language, looking for clues: for any Russian words can love what you can not find a counterpart in the native language, the meaning of words which are easy to guess. Oriented, they can, in the marvelous world of the Cyrillic alphabet, conjugations and cases. We have unearthed the most strange and interesting life hacking those for whom Russian is not native.
Just add "-ovat"
When tired and forgot all your vocabulary, just let down "-ovat" at the end of any English verb "to pray to the gods, and cross-cultural communication," writes29 Things You Will Only Understand If You Studied Russian BuzzFeed reporter Suzy Armitage, who studied Russian language.
If "start" - a real word, the possibilities are endless.
Susie Armitage, journalist BuzzFeed
"Y" as the impact sound in the stomach
Especially hard for foreigners are some sounds. The French, for example, from scratch learning to say "x". In their language of that there is no sound, but rather familiar word gets "Klebe," "korovod" and "Calva". All difficult given "s." "Imagine that you have just been kicked in the stomach, then you get the perfect Russian," s "," - taught by an American Professor Armitage.
Susie Armitage"Y! N! N! N! N! N! N! N! N! Y "- are you howling like a bunch of drunken sea lions.
Three friends, who will drive you crazy, "h", "m" and "w"
"Why?" And "Why?" - about such questions asked by people who first encounter with Russian consonants. It is easy to confuse the "sh", "w" and "h", when the sounds are new to you, and as a result of native speakers do not understand you at all. Shukhov Tower you need, ask for directions as he could, arrived at the station "Schukinskaya". This is the norm.
Susie ArmitageWhat do you mean? Open "yashik"? A "box".
Affixes teach humility
Anyone who teaches Russian, passes through levels of humility. It looks like this: first you learn, then teach more, then teach a little more, you start to feel comfortable, and then in the wrong cases. The only way to keep the peace and continue - to learn humility.
Six synonyms for to go
Sophisticated test for foreign students - write a little story about a walk through the city. To tell her, you will have to use six different verbs instead of the native to go"Go", "go", "go", "get", "move" and "go." To indicate the scale of the tragedy, we recall that in the Russian language on the table is a glass and fork - lies.
Handwritten text is similar to the encrypted curse
Armitage said that the written texts in Russian for a foreigner to have special status. First, no matter how you tried to write beautifully, receive will be like a third grader. Second, read the handwritten texts by native speakers, you will still not be able to for a long time. Third, the more likely you will become much worse to write by hand in their own language. A vicious circle.
The friendly Russian revolutions seem rude
For native English speakers find it strange that their usual way of asking for something, such as placing in the café (I would like a cup of coffee, please. - "I would like a cup of coffee, please"), it seems to native speakers of Russian crude, as if a person puts on airs..
Instead of "Could you pass me the salt, please," foreigners are learning to speak the imperative: "Pass me the salt, please." Russian as English learners suffer from the fact that they are considered rude carriers English.
Harmless "Pass me the salt, please" in English sounds like an ultimatum: «Pass me the salt, please».
"Write" and "write" - a trap for the beginner
The scope of the Russian language for foreigners - a hotbed of embarrassing situations. Due to the harmony of the words "circumcision" and "education", a bizarre change of emphasis in the word "write", depending on the meaning of many newcomers to catch myself smiling in the conversation with the Russian. Of course, you can understand what is meant, but from laughter to stay hard.
If you want to be understood, say English words with an accent
Western brands, entering the Russian market, starting a new linguistic life. The most glaring example - Nike. Tens of years, we have purchased the company "Nike" shoes, while everyone in the US, UK and other countries called the company "Nike". Interestingly, in the cinema in the Russian dubbing translators still inclined to the popular version.
In Russian to the bar to order Sprite or Long Island, says Armitage, mention must be made drinks with a hard Russian accent, or do not understand. Or just point the finger, it often makes life much easier. Many English-speaking difficult to understand and that all life is wrong, they are called the principal tipple from Russia and said "WADC."
Take care of others - call yourself in Russian
"If to call your name as you used to do, in Russia you will not understand or will speak still wrong," - complains Susie Armitage. Especially hard, she said, it is necessary for people with names like Seth and Ruth. Ruth? Rude? What?! How right ?!
"Yacht Club", "Xerox" and "bodisheyming" as a big hello from home
The Russian language has many loan words from English and just similar words: we really are starting, finishiruem, flirt and invest. Especially a lot of the words that have come into use recently, "post", "google" to do "Risech." Therefore, when a student of Russian language, after cramming cases and stresses stumbles upon it, in his heart becomes a little calmer.
"Cit" and "lawlessness": words and their unique meanings
Many familiar to us the concept seem strange to foreigners, though accurate. Synonyms for them they can not find in their own language. Business Insider results9 Incredibly Useful Russian Words With No English Equivalent several of these words: "longing", "vulgar", "being", "chaos", "Who Knows?", "dry trees", "cit."
"Slippers" as a reason to fall in love with the Russian language
Many perceive the touching new words when they begin to learn Russian. Someone seems charming "garden" instead garden, Someone - a "cushion" that under the eye, and the "good eye." Catherine Sperling for the magazine about foreign languages Babbel told8 Russian Words We Should Be Using In English about which of them sunk into her soul.
In the first place - "slipper." Against the background of the English version house slippers our words are stored in something more.
The very sound of "top-top-top" sounds when you go, there's even in their name and refers to the verb "to stomp". Therefore, the word "sneakers" crept into my speech, when I speak in English or German.
Catherine Sperling, studying Russian
Following the "slippers" - "hedgehog." In English, these animals are called hard "hedzhhogs" (hedgehogs). Diminutive form for them there, often to add this word littleAnd it turns out cuter: "little hedgehog." But, says Sperling, gentle "hedgehog" perfectly reflects the appearance of the animal.
A multifaceted word "so"
It has a special magic "so" - adverbs, conjunctions, particles and opening remarks in one person. Sperling notes that the short "wrong" keeps many colors. Need a minute to think - say "so". Do you want to appear formidable - say "so". You want to pay attention to the problem? "So"!
Catherine Spurling"So," I learned from my grandmother husband. I still do not sufficiently fluent in Russian, so our communication often goes downhill. When we both decide to give up, she says, "so", which means: "It's okay, at least we both agree that the more useless to try to explain." When we understand each other, it also says "so," that is, "Yeah, well." Word for all occasions, so I like it.
No, probably
In addition, he himself a passage from "no, probably" meticulous person may bring to mind an alien in it to cope with by commas. But a special pleasure are those who are studying Russian, taking his tricks on arms and begin to use themselves. A foreigner who has learned to the place to say "no, probably," - this is almost a carrier.
What surprised you in Russian? Share in the comments.
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