My wife left me!

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

Strange... I feel the exact opposite!

Besides, my father's ancestors spoke French...the most beautiful and romantic language in my judgment. When i hear Russians talk it always sounds like they hate each other even if it's a friendly discourse...or they're yelling at each other. French sounds like poetry even when people are cussing each other out.

Bonjour!

[mox 298]

Strange... I feel the exact opposite!

Besides, my father's ancestors spoke French...the most beautiful and romantic language in my judgment. When i hear Russians talk it always sounds like they hate each other even if it's a friendly discourse...or they're yelling at each other. French sounds like poetry even when people are cussing each other out.

Bonjour!

I agree, French is a beautiful language. My daughter speaks it, and she sounds angelic speaking it. But to me Russian is also a beautiful language for different reasons. It still sounds romantic to me, but a more primitive, earthy romantic. I dig them both.

[Bobalouie 0]

I have to admire the good intentions to honor the Russian language and your spouses through the process. Good for you guys!

But if you really want to honor Russia in a serious way...why not live in Russia for a certain number of weeks or months each year? Immerse yourself in the culture annually and really use the language authentically...not merely as contrived chit chatting with your spouse once a week in the USA. And how far can you carry that Russian language only commitment...what language will you use when the phone rings or there's a knock at the door or your American kid's friends come over to hang out? That's easy....English.

I can see maybe learning Russian as a hobby but where oh where will i find room for another hobby? i can not even finish a good book anymore. For me learning Russian is not practical or worth the time i could be doing something for my wife to make her happy in my good old American way. I want to serve her now in a way that will have immediate positive impact...not many months or years down the road. I have a Russian vocabulary of about 30 words and i think that's about it for me. It's enough to survive in Russia at a base level and converse with my wife when we want to do a simple exchange in Russian. BUT I will never be able to do the rolling RRRR thing...my mouth just does not work that way. So I'm doomed to failure.

Besides, my father's ancestors spoke French...the most beautiful and romantic language in my judgment. When i hear Russians talk it always sounds like they hate each other even if it's a friendly discourse...or they're yelling at each other. French sounds like poetry even when people are cussing each other out.

Bonjour!

I plan to do exactly that. I hope to transfer to Moscow within 3 or 4 years. The company I work for has an office there and they are always looking for Russian speakers. I hope to live in Russia for about 3 or 4 years and then return home for a few years, then back, etc.

[Satellite 1]

Come on guys, Russian isn't as hard as Chinese or Hebrew!

Russian is великий и могучий! If you try hard, you can learn it. The only problem might be age... the older you are... the harder it is to learn the language.

The cases and conjugations aren't as bad as they seem to be. You just need someone to explain how they work. I've had lots of american students who now speak very good Russian.

Learning Russian is NOT impossible!

seanconneryii,

Why didn't you find a French lady then? I find your words very offensive. Feel sorry for your spouse too. Do you think it's easy for her to say such simple words as "Better" or "water" in English?

-Olga.

Edited March 3, 2008 by Satellite

[visaveteran1 33]

Strange... I feel the exact opposite!

Besides, my father's ancestors spoke French...the most beautiful and romantic language in my judgment. When i hear Russians talk it always sounds like they hate each other even if it's a friendly discourse...or they're yelling at each other. French sounds like poetry even when people are cussing each other out.

Bonjour!

I agree, French is a beautiful language. My daughter speaks it, and she sounds angelic speaking it. But to me Russian is also a beautiful language for different reasons. It still sounds romantic to me, but a more primitive, earthy romantic. I dig them both.

I have to be honest and maybe contradictory...I like hearing my wife speak Russian.

[visaveteran1 33]

I have to admire the good intentions to honor the Russian language and your spouses through the process. Good for you guys!

But if you really want to honor Russia in a serious way...why not live in Russia for a certain number of weeks or months each year? Immerse yourself in the culture annually and really use the language authentically...not merely as contrived chit chatting with your spouse once a week in the USA. And how far can you carry that Russian language only commitment...what language will you use when the phone rings or there's a knock at the door or your American kid's friends come over to hang out? That's easy....English.

I can see maybe learning Russian as a hobby but where oh where will i find room for another hobby? i can not even finish a good book anymore. For me learning Russian is not practical or worth the time i could be doing something for my wife to make her happy in my good old American way. I want to serve her now in a way that will have immediate positive impact...not many months or years down the road. I have a Russian vocabulary of about 30 words and i think that's about it for me. It's enough to survive in Russia at a base level and converse with my wife when we want to do a simple exchange in Russian. BUT I will never be able to do the rolling RRRR thing...my mouth just does not work that way. So I'm doomed to failure.

Besides, my father's ancestors spoke French...the most beautiful and romantic language in my judgment. When i hear Russians talk it always sounds like they hate each other even if it's a friendly discourse...or they're yelling at each other. French sounds like poetry even when people are cussing each other out.

Bonjour!

I plan to do exactly that. I hope to transfer to Moscow within 3 or 4 years. The company I work for has an office there and they are always looking for Russian speakers. I hope to live in Russia for about 3 or 4 years and then return home for a few years, then back, etc.

That's great you can do that.

[visaveteran1 33]

Come on guys, Russian isn't as hard as Chinese or Hebrew!

Russian is великий и могучий! If you try hard, you can learn it. The only problem might be age... the older you are... the harder it is to learn the language.

The cases and conjugations aren't as bad as they seem to be. You just need someone to explain how they work. I've had lots of american students who now speak very good Russian.

Learning Russian is NOT impossible!

seanconneryii,

Why didn't you find a French lady then? I find your words very offensive. Feel sorry for your spouse too. Do you think it's easy for her to say such simple words as "Better" or "water" in English?

-Olga.

Pride in my ancestors language has nothing to do with who I married. Besides Russian women are more beautiful than French women (Brigette Bardot excepted)! You're right though..."better" sounds like "bitta" from a Russian. I do l smile at hearing "more bitta" comments.

of

Hey, don't be offended...we put up with your "joke" shenanigans...you can put up with mine too. Just having some fun with the language issues. i wish i could speak 5 languages...but I'm still struggling with English. I still can't diagram a sentence...my 7th grade teacher is probably rolling over in her grave.

If i learn more Russian, I'll probably learn it by osmosis. Somehow the words and phrases and grammar structures will find their way into the cells of my brain...as my wife talks on the phone to her mom and friends back in Siberia. Or maybe subliminal tapes as i sleep?

[eekee 182]

Come on guys, Russian isn't as hard as Chinese or Hebrew!

Russian is великий и могучий! If you try hard, you can learn it. The only problem might be age... the older you are... the harder it is to learn the language.

The cases and conjugations aren't as bad as they seem to be. You just need someone to explain how they work. I've had lots of american students who now speak very good Russian.

Learning Russian is NOT impossible!

seanconneryii,

Why didn't you find a French lady then? I find your words very offensive. Feel sorry for your spouse too. Do you think it's easy for her to say such simple words as "Better" or "water" in English?

-Olga.

Как Ломоносов написал:

Карл V, римский император, говаривал, что ишпанским языком с Богом, французским с друзьями, немецким с неприятелем, италианским с женским полом говорить прилично, но если бы он российскому языку был искусен, то к тому присовокупил бы, что им со всеми оными говорить пристойно, ибо нашёл бы в нём великолепие ишпанского, живость французского, крепость немецкого, нежность италианского, сверх того богатство и сильную в изображении краткость греческого и латинского языка.

Karl V, Roman emporer, said that Spanish language is best for speaking with God, French with friends, German with enemies, Italian with women, but if he knew Russian well, he would speak in Russian to everyone, because it would be possible in Russian to find the highness of Spanish, the liveliness of French, the strength of German, the tenderness of Italian, and additionally the richness and strength in the brevity of imagery of Greek and Latin.

I'm not so good at translating from such a old style, but you get the idea.

[visaveteran1 33]

Come on guys, Russian isn't as hard as Chinese or Hebrew!

Russian is великий и могучий! If you try hard, you can learn it. The only problem might be age... the older you are... the harder it is to learn the language.

The cases and conjugations aren't as bad as they seem to be. You just need someone to explain how they work. I've had lots of american students who now speak very good Russian.

Learning Russian is NOT impossible!

seanconneryii,

Why didn't you find a French lady then? I find your words very offensive. Feel sorry for your spouse too. Do you think it's easy for her to say such simple words as "Better" or "water" in English?

-Olga.

Как Ломоносов написал:

Карл V, римский император, говаривал, что ишпанским языком с Богом, французским с друзьями, немецким с неприятелем, италианским с женским полом говорить прилично, но если бы он российскому языку был искусен, то к тому присовокупил бы, что им со всеми оными говорить пристойно, ибо нашёл бы в нём великолепие ишпанского, живость французского, крепость немецкого, нежность италианского, сверх того богатство и сильную в изображении краткость греческого и латинского языка.

Karl V, Roman emporer, said that Spanish language is best for speaking with God, French with friends, German with enemies, Italian with women, but if he knew Russian well, he would speak in Russian to everyone, because it would be possible in Russian to find the highness of Spanish, the liveliness of French, the strength of German, the tenderness of Italian, and additionally the richness and strength in the brevity of imagery of Greek and Latin.

I'm not so good at translating from such a old style, but you get the idea.

"Touche!"

[NYGirl 0]

Come on guys, Russian isn't as hard as Chinese or Hebrew!

Russian is великий и могучий! If you try hard, you can learn it. The only problem might be age... the older you are... the harder it is to learn the language.

The cases and conjugations aren't as bad as they seem to be. You just need someone to explain how they work. I've had lots of american students who now speak very good Russian.

Learning Russian is NOT impossible!

seanconneryii,

Why didn't you find a French lady then? I find your words very offensive. Feel sorry for your spouse too. Do you think it's easy for her to say such simple words as "Better" or "water" in English?

-Olga.

My husband speaks 4 languages fluently and is learning English now. According to him English is sooooo difficult and hard and confusing and Hebrew is piece of cake. I guess to each it's own. I think Hebrew is too complicated and he always laughs and tells me it makes more sense than English. Go figure!

Edited March 3, 2008 by NYGirl

[visaveteran1 33]

Come on guys, Russian isn't as hard as Chinese or Hebrew!

Russian is великий и могучий! If you try hard, you can learn it. The only problem might be age... the older you are... the harder it is to learn the language.

The cases and conjugations aren't as bad as they seem to be. You just need someone to explain how they work. I've had lots of american students who now speak very good Russian.

Learning Russian is NOT impossible!

seanconneryii,

Why didn't you find a French lady then? I find your words very offensive. Feel sorry for your spouse too. Do you think it's easy for her to say such simple words as "Better" or "water" in English?

-Olga.

My husband speaks 4 languages fluently and is learning English now. According to him English is sooooo difficult and hard and confusing and Hebrew is piece of cake. I guess to each it's own. I think Hebrew is too complicated and he always laughs and tells me it makes more sense than English. Go figure!

I don't know...it's all Greek to me!

[eekee 182]

My husband speaks 4 languages fluently and is learning English now. According to him English is sooooo difficult and hard and confusing and Hebrew is piece of cake. I guess to each it's own. I think Hebrew is too complicated and he always laughs and tells me it makes more sense than English. Go figure!

I asked one of my friends which is a fluent, but non-native, speaker of both which was harder to learn, russian or english. he said russian.

[NYGirl 0]

My husband speaks 4 languages fluently and is learning English now. According to him English is sooooo difficult and hard and confusing and Hebrew is piece of cake. I guess to each it's own. I think Hebrew is too complicated and he always laughs and tells me it makes more sense than English. Go figure!

I asked one of my friends which is a fluent, but non-native, speaker of both which was harder to learn, russian or english. he said russian.

My husband's native language is Ukrainian and he learned Russian when he was 14 or so. His Russian is like my russian but his is better cause he left Ukraine much older than when I did. ( i think Russian is even more native than Ukrainian to him now) He also speaks fluently Polish because it's very similar to Ukrainian. Living 7 years in Israel Hebrew became his native language and he debates it's easier than English. Oh well! Maybe the mixture of all 4 languages + English is why it makes it harder for him.

Edited March 3, 2008 by NYGirl

[akdiver 3]

I took two semesters of Russian at the local university. My wife will not let me take any more Russian classes - she says it's too much work for her.

[russ 1]

I took two semesters of Russian at the local university. My wife will not let me take any more Russian classes - she says it's too much work for her.

I did Russian III and Russian IV last year. It is not that hard, you just need to put in the time. I agree with Sat - having someone explain the grammar and cases is important - you can't get far without that.

I'll be back in school this fall. Work got in the way of the Russian hobby, and with the wife in grad school full time, someone does have to work.