Learning Russian or Ukrainian

[Infantryman]

Got another question for everyone.  After e-mailing several language tutors I finally found one that can work around my odd schedule.   (I usuall work 2:30pm-3am.)   She offers lessons in both Russian and Ukrainian.  Now, I know that the little I will learn will probably suffice for a trip several months down the road and that either would be ok.  But I'm intrigued with the prospect of being able to converse (however awkwardly) with the Ukrainian women in their native tongue vs. the generic Russian.  Would this not add an add an air of romanticism to the conversations, showing that I was interested enough to learn *their* language?  Yes, I know that it might not work out and that Russian would be more useful in the long term, but I have to admit I like Ukrainian women!   So, what does everyone think?  It's less an argument of which would be more useful, but which would be more impressive!

John

[Kuna]

John,

Speakibng or even attempting to speak in the ladies own language will win you HUGE points.  I see an added benefit from being able to speak with My Girls family without her having to translate.

When deciding on which language (Russian or Ukrainian) be aware that Ukrainian is spoken mainly  in the west and the rest of Ukraine generally speaks Russian. 

I'm learning (or trying) at the moment.. while it's not easy it's sure to be worthwhile.

Cheers,

Kuna

[Sohkay]

John,
Russian will cover the most bases.

BTW, don't wear the chainlink armor unless she is wearing hers on the first meeting.

Do any of you remember the scene from the Reno 911 episode where the officers confront the D&D player in chainlink armor? If anyone has a link to that video, please post.

John, otherwise, study Russian.

Good luck,
Sohkay

[LTCOLBIEGARD]

Stick with Russian , as most of the populations of Ukraine tends to speak it instead.  Your more likely to speak English to an Ukraine than Fluent Ukraine. For the most part alot of FSu people speak very good English, probaly better than  you will Speak Russian for awhile. NOt putting you down at all , but most of them have been speaking english for many years.

[Kuna]

I only had one girl during the "correspondence phase" who took offense at my comment about trying to learn Russian.

We'd been writing for about a month and during our first phone call she said "I must speak to you about something.  Do not speak Russian. Speak Ukrainian. If you come here and speak Russian I will not speak with you."

Hmmm... there was no second phone call!   

She was from Lvov - anyone want her email address?  hahahaha

[ScottinCrimea]

It depends on the area of Ukraine, but unless you have a firm relationship with a woman from the predominantly Ukrainian speaking parts of the country, you are better off learning Russian, and if you plan to do any traveling at all outside western Ukraine, you will need Russian.  For example I don't hear anyone in Crimea speaking Ukrainian.  I hear a fair amount of Ukrainian on TV because English language programs are required to be dubbed in Ukrainian and Russian language rograms are required to have subtitles in Ukrainian and with the Russian I know I can pick up most of the Ukrainian.  Speaking Ukrainian is simle once you know Russian.  Just say dakwyou instead of spaceba, ni instead of nyet and substitute the "h" sound for every time hou have the "g" sound in Russian, for example say hryvna instead of gryvna.

[Infantryman]

Ahahaha!  The one lady I told I was going to take Russian lessons to in the Ukrain told me "I hope thoughts of me inspire you to learn!"  Alright, Russian it is!

John

[Kuna]

Good decision Infrantryman...

Now all we need is basic Russian lessons in RWD and we can all learn at a similar pace.

There's many online resources but I've found the structure of some to be confusing.  The one I'm using at the moment is easier for me to follow and it has excellent course material including mp3 files of native russian speakers.

I can't remember who originally posted the link but it was an excellent suggestion.  Here's the link: http://www.princeton.edu/russian/

I bought a CD and book set but didn't get far with it.  I've heard others recommed the Pimsleur (sp?) courses but I haven't seen it in shops yet.

Anyway... good luck with the Russian!

Kuna

[Infantryman]

As someone who tried to teach themselves Russian back when the Cold War was still going strong and I was in the Army, I know that I'll never learn it by myself.  So I decided to give one of the online tutors a try.  She lives in Kiev and can work around my schedule.  I'll let everyone know how it goes.   

Sohkay:  Thanks for the advice about the maille armour.  I'll leave it at home when I visit. 

[START2]

InF,
  Russain will be more universal there so the others are right. Pimsleur has the best cd's I've practiced with. Got 90 lessons off e-bay for a decent price. They came as an mp3 format but a buddy of mine also copied them to cd. Kuna, you cam check that to. Was only 75 US.   
  Oh yea,  lets just hope when you arrive your gal isn't wearing a similar get up. She might be trying to make a statement.
 

[Infantryman]

Come on, cut a guy some slack.  I mean, how can one claim to be a knight in shining armour (TM) if they don't have the accoutrements?   

On a side note:  I had posted in another thread that I was a history buff and that included studying weapons and armour.  Even found a group to practice medieval swordsmanship with, hence the armour.

John

[ScottinCrimea]

John,  that will serve you well in a relationship with a Russian woman.

[Infantryman]

John,  that will serve you well in a relationship with a Russian woman.

What's that?  The armour and sword skills?   

[2tallbill]

Got another question for everyone.  After e-mailing several language tutors I finally found one that can work around my odd schedule.   (I usuall work 2:30pm-3am.)   She offers lessons in both Russian and Ukrainian.  Now, I know that the little I will learn will probably suffice for a trip several months down the road and that either would be ok.  But I'm intrigued with the prospect of being able to converse (however awkwardly) with the Ukrainian women in their native tongue vs. the generic Russian.  Would this not add an add an air of romanticism to the conversations, showing that I was interested enough to learn *their* language?  Yes, I know that it might not work out and that Russian would be more useful in the long term, but I have to admit I like Ukrainian women!   So, what does everyone think?  It's less an argument of which would be more useful, but which would be more impressive!

John

John, I thought the same thing as you and went so far as to buy a Ukrainian language course from pimsleur. I then bought a Russian course.

I agree with the other people who have posted here to learn Russian.

If anyone wants to buy an unopened Pimsleur Ukrainian language on program on cassettes and legally purchased  by me I will sell it cheap!!!

Bill

[Simoni]

I know that it might not work out and that Russian would be more useful in the long term, but I have to admit I like Ukrainian women!   So, what does everyone think?  It's less an argument of which would be more useful, but which would be more impressive!

Throughout the old soviet union, and certainly in soviet bloc countries, the people are reverting back to their heritage.  In Ukraine, the swing is back to Ukrainian language from the Russian language.  It's the official language of the government...

Even here in the USA, when we called the Ukrainian Embassy, and Marina tried to speak to them in Russian, they told her that her two choices to talk to them in were English and Ukrainian.

But the majority of posters here are correct-- Russian is the best language to learn....for now.  But in the not so distant future, I think the choice will be Ukrainian.

[ScottinCrimea]

I can tell you that if you visit Crimea, you better know Russian because almost no one will speak to you in Ukrainian and some will be offended if you speak Ukrainian to them.  Crimea is still very Russian.  The kids are forced to learn it in school but none of them speak it.  No matter how hard the Ukraine government tries to push it, Crimea is an autonomous republic and can get away with some things that other parts of the country cannot.  Ukrainian as the preferred language in Crimea is a couple of generations away at best, and I suspect that before that happens there will be some backing down and Russian will be recognized along with Ukrainian as a national language.