Author Topic: Best way to learn Russian...  (Read 19881 times)

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Offline Michael HR

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Best way to learn Russian...
« on: August 29, 2008, 10:50:06 AM »
Greetings all,

It seems to me that to learn Russian when studying Russian history might be a good idea but have no idea were to start. I was thinking of the rosetta stone program but does anyone have a better idea?

Thanks in advance,

Michael

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Offline Sarushka

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2008, 12:41:02 PM »
For the record: I minored in Russian in college, but I'm constantly frustrated that my classroom- and tourist-oriented vocabulary doesn't allow me to fluently read the sort of historical information I'm most interested in.

I've just gone through the Rosetta stone online demonstration, and as a linguistics major, I can tell you I think the method is BRILLIANT. I was instantly tempted to buy the program, but when I called to inquire the operator confirmed my suspicion that the emphasis is on travel and business conversations -- drat! IMO Rosetta Stone would be excellent for grasping a basic vocabulary, gaining confidence with the grammar, and conducting face-to-face conversations, but perhaps not ideal if your goal is to be able to read Russian history books or primary sources like the Romanovs' diaries and letters.

Offline amelia

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2008, 02:46:23 PM »
I have been wanting to start learning Russian, but I never find a teacher or school. Can anyone help me please? Thanks Amelia

Love4Royalty

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2008, 09:01:15 PM »
I'm trying to learn as well.  I am teaching myself though, and starting off with the alphabet.  I keep going to this website for help:  www.masterrussian.com

Offline Michael HR

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2008, 01:49:46 AM »
The alphabet is great fun! Think I may go with Rosetta Stone as it seems quite a good package. At least it will give me a good grounding in the language. 

I'm trying to learn as well.  I am teaching myself though, and starting off with the alphabet.  I keep going to this website for help:  www.masterrussian.com
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Offline amartin71718

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2008, 04:15:40 PM »
I am also teaching myself Russian. Any tips?
I'm back on my bull****.

Maria_Pavlovna

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2008, 04:41:02 PM »
I'm teaching myself Russian, for the past three years, i only got a few words down. I understand if someone is speaking it, but don't understand what they are saying! lol. i know however to prayer in Russian and understand it. I know how to write names and some words in Russian, but that about it. it a slow school! lol.

heres a good tip: in a English sentence use a Russian word. like, "I believe in Boga" which means boga means "God".  I'm still however working on how to say it all in Russian! lol. in Russian it's "я верю в бога".



Offline nena

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2008, 04:47:32 PM »
Mandie, Bog is nominative and translates as God. But, when they say I believe in God, then it is genitive - Boga. Correct if I am wrong.  ;)
-Ars longa, vita brevis -
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Offline Sarushka

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2008, 07:17:05 PM »
I'm still however working on how to say it all in Russian! lol. in Russian it's "я верю в бога".

It sounds like this: "Ya veryu v boga."

Offline Holly

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2008, 08:16:33 PM »
Well, I've been self-teaching myself for a few years as well and right now I know the alphabet in print and cursive, can read it and transliterate very well, and I know the basic words/phrases but I'm stuck right now on the whole changing of consonant sounds right now. I'm planning on taking it in college next year but for now I'm stuck learning this way. It works pretty well if you're dedicated enough.

I was once able to carry on a small conversation with an exchange student once! :D

I recommend getting a good Russian-English, English-Russian dictionary and studying the alphabet and such. Also, the travel phrase books are quite helpful to memorize useful phrases.
"Господь им дал дар по молитвам их размягчать окаменелые наши сердца за их страдания..Мне думается, что если люди будут молиться Царской Cемье, оттают сердца с Божией помощью."

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Offline Sarushka

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2008, 09:44:35 PM »
My favorite dictionary is this one, by Kenneth Katzner. I used it all through college.

Offline Michael HR

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #11 on: September 03, 2008, 02:46:51 AM »
Thanks for the info, it has been a great help.
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Maria_Pavlovna

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2008, 03:45:31 PM »
Sarushka, Spasiba! :) 

and to let you know, Nena, Russian i only known for three years, I'm still a newcomer to it! I known that , but to write it with my sentence  is "Boga", using one Russian word in a English sentence!  ;)

Offline Laura Mabee

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2008, 12:38:44 PM »
Learning Russian...
For me I've found it to be a little difficult, but with a professor/teacher things go a lot more smoothly.
Before I was in class though, there used to be this really good website about learning the language. I seem to have misplaced it after my computer crash, and I unfortunately haven't been able to find it since.
However! I did do an interest search and found some good websites for reference:

MasterRussian.com - I'm sure you've all been here, but they do have some pretty good articles. I'm just adding it here for those who haven't seen it yet.
LanguageHelpers.com - This site has an interactive 'Russian Alphabet' which also shows you the handwritten Russian along with the typed Russian. If you click on one of the characters of the alphabet, you'll get the sound of the letter too!
An Introduction to Russian - A good little site made for an intro to Russian, has good links, and a good way to start into the language too.
An On-line Russian Reference -Grammar - I haven't gone through the entire site, but it seems to be a good start to some Russian grammar *dies*... I stink at Russian Grammar.

Otherwise, I've been taking my own lessons through University of Waterloo here in Canada, and we're learning through the textbook called "Golosa". It has a corresponding website with the text here. If I have time before next week, I may be able to digitize the first chapter the book text and share it here. I don't have the teachers answer guide though.

In regards to english/russian-russian/english dictionaries, and other helpful things. I've been sticking with the most recent edition of Oxford's Russian Dictionary, and the Oxford Russian Mini Dictionary (for travel and class). I have also purchased Oxford's 'Grammar and Verbs' pocket book since I stink at grammar, I've found that it's pretty helpful.

Offline clockworkgirl21

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Re: Best way to learn Russian...
« Reply #14 on: September 04, 2008, 02:04:36 PM »
I've been trying to teach myself Russian for years, but I just don't have it for learning new languages. I had a teacher for Spanish, and I just barely got that. The sad part is that I know someone who can speak Russian! It's just that his English is so bad, I can never understand what he's saying(he also speaks German and some other European language).

I'll have to try out those sites. The dictionaries I find online aren't helpful at all.  :-X