Breaking the Language Barrier

[Ruteger 0]

I may travel to Odessa to meet a woman I have been conversing (w/aid of translator) with. She does not understand English, I do not understand (maybe a teeny bit) Russian.

I'd be interested in suggestions, comments, tips from others who have actually traveled to see their potential mate with little understanding of the language . I have PROMT translator on my laptop, and she has a friend that can act as an interpreter, but I know how frustrating it can be to try communication when you don't understand the other person's language.

Thanks,

Rutger

Edited September 27, 2006 by Ruteger

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Well the only thing I can say in regard to this, you are going to have a heck of a hard time getting a K1 if you don't share at least one language. That is one of their big red flags.

Cass (bebop the great)

[CarolineM 0]

i'd say you'll have a heck of a time truly falling in love if you can't communicate...PLUS what Cass said...

good luck

[joeyjoey 1]

I may travel to Odessa to meet a woman I have been conversing (w/aid of translator) with. She does not understand English, I do not understand (maybe a teeny bit) Russian.

I'd be interested in suggestions, comments, tips from others who have actually traveled to see their potential mate with little understanding of the language . I have PROMT translator on my laptop, and she has a friend that can act as an interpreter, but I know how frustrating it can be to try communication when you don't understand the other person's language.

Thanks,

Rutger

Why don't you take some language classes first, BEFORE you make the trip. I can't imagine having no idea what she's saying until it is translated for me! Learn the basics of the language first. Then make the trek. If she's really the one, she'll understand and she'll be there when you're ready. USCIS would have a big problem if you cannot speak her language and she cannot speak yours.

[payxibka 10,045]

Rutger

Why don't you take some language classes first, BEFORE you make the trip. I can't imagine having no idea what she's saying until it is translated for me! Learn the basics of the language first. Then make the trek. If she's really the one, she'll understand and she'll be there when you're ready. USCIS would have a big problem if you cannot speak her language and she cannot speak yours.

I agree with making the effort to learn the language and the lady should learn English as well. However, I know of a many K-1's that have been approved by Kiev when little or no common language exists.... YMMV

[joeyjoey 1]

Rutger

Why don't you take some language classes first, BEFORE you make the trip. I can't imagine having no idea what she's saying until it is translated for me! Learn the basics of the language first. Then make the trek. If she's really the one, she'll understand and she'll be there when you're ready. USCIS would have a big problem if you cannot speak her language and she cannot speak yours.

I agree with making the effort to learn the language and the lady should learn English as well. However, I know of a many K-1's that have been approved by Kiev when little or no common language exists.... YMMV

I understand. But a relationship would be difficult if the verbal communication isn't there. I'm not scolding you or telling you what to do. It's only my opinion. My Fiancee is in Brazil and speaks NO English. She's taking classes that I pay for! I learned Portuguese 2-3 years ago, so we communicate very well. It's not perfect, sometimes not even good, but my girl understands me and then she corrects me! Sometimes it is not always easy for people in other countries to study at will. The price sometimes is just too much. And Engilsh is hard as heck to learn.

So it will probably be you that has to start learning her language first. I cannot say what the Consulate will and will not approve. I'm in no position to know that. I'm just saying that your relationship will be more complete if you can communicate with her without a translator. A little investment today goes a long way tomorrow. Imagine how difficult it is to say" Would you like to see a movie tonight?". You don't want that translator in between the 2 of you. That was the point was making. I sit in judgement of no one here!

[Satellite 1]

Well the only thing I can say in regard to this, you are going to have a heck of a hard time getting a K1 if you don't share at least one language. That is one of their big red flags.

I agree with this presumption, but it can be rebutted if you communicate through sex.

[Alex+R 0]

And Engilsh is hard as heck to learn.

It's supposed to be one of the easiest in the world to learn basically, but difficult only because of the many idioms we use all the time. Certainly easier than Russian or Portuguese. Juuuuust nitpicking...

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

I may travel to Odessa to meet a woman I have been conversing (w/aid of translator) with. She does not understand English, I do not understand (maybe a teeny bit) Russian.

I'd be interested in suggestions, comments, tips from others who have actually traveled to see their potential mate with little understanding of the language . I have PROMT translator on my laptop, and she has a friend that can act as an interpreter, but I know how frustrating it can be to try communication when you don't understand the other person's language.

Thanks,

Rutger

Well...my wife (who was fluent in English when I met her) and I disagree on this subject. I agree with many of the posters about the communication issue. However, she has seen loads of women who marry foreign men and learn their language later. As a matter of fact one Ukraine/American couple that we hang out with in Phoenix was like that and they are perfect together. They shared common values, goals, and ideas, but they just missed the language part. Together they were open minded enough to be able to work though the issue. For them learning English was part of the 'getting to know you’ process. It takes time, patience, and love to work though something like that. Now, many years later, they are together for the duration. Is this a rarity? I don’t know. Katya says it is common, but I will not be convinced until I see the research.

Joel

BTW - Shoot me an email if you need help on Ukraine or suggestions for things to do in Odessa. I have gotten to know the area well.

Edited September 28, 2006 by Joel Halfwassen

[slim 1,525]

I agree with this presumption, but it can be rebutted if you communicate through sex.

[travlnmannn 0]

I'm with Satellite on that one. Sex rocks !!!!! Makes everything ok. As an American man I think it's not such a big sacrafice to learn some Russian. Seeing as how a woman that will leave her life and country for a man gives up so much and we as the American man give up so little. Is it too much for us as the man to learn some Russian. Which in turn will show your seriousness to her and even impress her. Might even get some laughs from it when you pronounce things wrong :-) Good luck on your trip

[Ruteger 0]

No, no, no. I was asking about the INITIAL meeting in her homeland. I guess I did not clarify myself. Of course, I would pay for English classes for her while the INS processes the paperwork. I would fully expect (maybe "hope" is a better word) her to be fluent/semi-fluent in English before she arrived in America.

That's why I am so crazy about Eastern European girls. They are so damn smart AND sexy. I know this girl could learn English quickly...

As for me, I have already learned how to say "Do you want to snuggle?" in Russian

Edited September 29, 2006 by Ruteger

[travlnmannn 0]

Do you want to snuggle is a good start. And yes Eastern European woman are awesome. I would have to agree with you on that. But remember you have better resources than they do. Try to learn some more English. I have only a little english barrier with my fiance but it still can be hard some times. Consider learning more Russian. She'll be impressed.

[workin4somethin 0]

I may travel to Odessa to meet a woman I have been conversing (w/aid of translator) with. She does not understand English, I do not understand (maybe a teeny bit) Russian.

I'd be interested in suggestions, comments, tips from others who have actually traveled to see their potential mate with little understanding of the language . I have PROMT translator on my laptop, and she has a friend that can act as an interpreter, but I know how frustrating it can be to try communication when you don't understand the other person's language.

Thanks,

Rutger

Learn more than just a teeny bit of Russian before you plan your trip over there. The more the better, although you can't learn a great deal in a short timeframe. So... take your time getting to know each other (at least 6 months) before you commit to meeting in person, if you can wait that long.

[bruc 0]

I think that's hogwash about the UCIS having a problem with your K1 if you're not on the same language.

I have friends married to girls from Ukraine and Russia and none of those gals could speal a lick of English when they got here.

At the interviews they asked all of them if they wanted the interview in English or their language.

They're all taking ESL and their English is getting tolerable now. :-)

You'll be fine when you visit your girl...you'll get the nod and point system down real fast like ...just go and have fun.

I've never heard of anyone having a heart attack or failing because of the langugage barrier.

bruc