The challenges of communiication

[Kineo]

I have challenge here that I am sure is familar to many of the folks here.

The lady I am corresponding with sometimes has sections of her letters that I have trouble understanding what she is trying to say. I am very aware that this would be a language thing. So far I have been able to figure her out. I am afraid she may have me stumped this time though. I am intereted in how others have been able to minimize communications difficulties?

What I have a hunch she is doing is writing in Russian and using an online translator. Which may not be translating as she intended. What I am considering is to ask her to send the letters in Russian, but she probably has a better handle on English than I have on Russian.

[Shadow]

It my be me, but this does not sound good. Long letters using online translator English with information you did not ask for could be a bad sign.
The idea to ask her to give the original Russian text is good. There are many people here who will be able to help with specific sentences that you may find hard to translate.

[Muzh]

It my be me, but this does not sound good. Long letters using online translator English with information you did not ask for could be a bad sign.
The idea to ask her to give the original Russian text is good. There are many people here who will be able to help with specific sentences that you may find hard to translate.

Not really. My wife knew quite a bit of English, still she said some things that were transliterated from Russian and it had me scratching my head.

If he is concerned, find a good translator locally and do a couple of letters and see where it goes.

[dbneeley]

When I was away from my wife, we often used computer translation--and we developed the habit of sending email with *both* the Russian and English. Sometimes, one computer translator will be better than another for a given bit of text.

There are also some online translators that give instantaneous two-way translation. If the English-Russian-English leaves something to be desired, you can modify the original source until the retranslation makes sense. imtranslator.com is one such.

There is no substitute for a human translation if the translator is highly skilled. Today, computer translation is surprisingly often a worthwhile substitute for an unskilled human, however, of which there are far too many.

With years of experience in computer translation, when there is something that is absolutely critical to get right I still defer to a very good human.

Note, too, that some who are excellent translators may or may not also be excellent interpreters--and vice versa. Each has its challenges. The highly skilled usually do both quite well. The lesser skilled will tend to do one or the other better.

David

[acctBill]

Kineo communication using online translators should only be done for limited periods of time, translating short, simple letters,  if you can afford it have her write the letters in Russian and get them professionally translated on your end.  In turn when you respond get your responses professionally translated into Russian.  This way both of you will know what is being said. She will also appreciate a man who takes command of a difficult and complex situation and you will know have the best chance of succeeding in your quest. 

If you intend to continue to communicate with Russian women start learning some Russian.  That way when you travel to the FSU you will be able to understand something about the culture and be able to personally respond to FSUW, at least to some extent. As someone who learned Russian, initially for business purposes and then for personal reasons the language is difficult but with practice it can be mastered.     

[SANDRO43]

Note, too, that some who are excellent translators may or may not also be excellent interpreters--and vice versa. Each has its challenges. The highly skilled usually do both quite well. The lesser skilled will tend to do one or the other better.

Unless some psychological quirk interferes. I was a technical translator for 5 years in my early days, and also had to act as an intepreter occasionally - and reluctantly .

I soon realised that I'd interpret better if I liked my client and/or found his area of business interesting, less so otherwise. IMO a very good interpreter has to make his own personality sort of fade into the background, and assume the client's .

[Blues Fairy]

The lady I am corresponding with sometimes has sections of her letters that I have trouble understanding what she is trying to say. I am very aware that this would be a language thing. So far I have been able to figure her out. I am afraid she may have me stumped this time though.

What's wrong with asking her to clarify particular passages?  Gives you an added benefit of finding out if she's able to reasonably explain things (a very important skill in any relationship ).  If you want to be particularly helpful, offer your understanding of what she wrote first, and then ask if that is correct. 

[Kineo]

If you intend to continue to communicate with Russian women start learning some Russian.  That way when you travel to the FSU you will be able to understand something about the culture and be able to personally respond to FSUW, at least to some extent. As someone who learned Russian, initially for business purposes and then for personal reasons the language is difficult but with practice it can be mastered.     

I am with you on this. I find the Russian language very interesting and different. Also like you elude to a big challenge to learn. Though with what little I have learned I am starting to gain some insight into why RW word some things the way they do.

[Kineo]

What's wrong with asking her to clarify particular passages?  Gives you an added benefit of finding out if she's able to reasonably explain things (a very important skill in any relationship ).  If you want to be particularly helpful, offer your understanding of what she wrote first, and then ask if that is correct. 

No I don't think it is wrong at all. And as you point out benefitical. And as you mention, I offerred my understanding. I also asked her what she tought of if was writing them Russian sending the Russian version also.

My goal here was to see what folks that have experience dealing communication thought of my approach and solicit other ideas (they are usually plentiful here). Trying to aviod opening mouth and inserting foot.

But, maybe I did just the same. I haven't heard a thing since. 

[SANDRO43]

No I don't think it is wrong at all. And as you point out benefitical. And as you mention, I offerred my understanding. I also asked her what she tought of if was writing them Russian sending the Russian version also. My goal here was to see what folks that have experience dealing communication thought of my approach and solicit other ideas (they are usually plentiful here). Trying to aviod opening mouth and inserting foot.

Well, I'd advise using a spell checker , non-English speakers may have some difficulties with misspelt words.

[acctBill]

Well, I'd advise using a spell checker , non-English speakers may have some difficulties with misspelt words.

Some good advice to remember when learning English is that there are a number of words in English that are spelled slightly differently but aren't misspelled.  Some of these words mean the same thing and others don't.  In these cases a spell checker is useless and a dictionary is required. 

[Kineo]

Well, I'd advise using a spell checker , non-English speakers may have some difficulties with misspelt words.

Sorry folks, that was bad even for me! 

[SANDRO43]

Some good advice to remember when learning English is that...

Good advice would be more effective with some examples .

there are a number of words in English that are spelled slightly differently but aren't misspelled. Some of these words mean the same thing and others don't.

Differently from what? 

In these cases a spell checker is useless and a dictionary is required.

A spell checker would have caught benefitical, offerred, tought and aviod .

[Sky_Blood]

Agreed.
need examples.
I recollect one girl asked me to check her letter, well check English I mean...so the guy was about to come to visit her so she wrote 'I m looking forward to our intercourse' I literally ROFLed...but well in fact old dictionaries give like 'communication act'(meaning meeting in person) by the word 'intercourse'... If not me, she d send it...and IDK what would this guy think

[The Natural]

Agreed.
need examples.
I recollect one girl asked me to check her letter, well check English I mean...so the guy was about to come to visit her so she wrote 'I m looking forward to our intercourse' I literally ROFLed...but well in fact old dictionaries give like 'communication act'(meaning meeting in person) by the word 'intercourse'... If not me, she d send it...and IDK what would this guy think

Well, speaking for myself, I would understand that she didn't mean it like that and I think guys will make allowances for the fact that she may not know English extremely well.
 
I actually find these misspellings very charming. One I read about once was about liking  smashed potatoes 

[The Natural]

Just remember when my ex was bored and she said "Oh, I'm so boring". We had many good laughts about that 

[Sky_Blood]

   smashed potatoes 

 

Yeah I know many find it charming and cute, but it sometimes leads to misunderstandings. i have many examples...but they all seem to be not too decent to mention here. 

[Rubicon]

Yeah I know many find it charming and cute, but it sometimes leads to misunderstandings. i have many examples...but they all seem to be not too decent to mention here. 

We are all ears!!  not too much is taboo here!!  If you think so than just read Life changes part deaux by BillyB!!  After you read that debacle you will know that we love the nitty gritty!!

In our RWD index of Anglo Russian mistakes it says do not ask a lady for her "email", because that is the same word in Russian for sex!!

[Sky_Blood]

In our RWD index of Anglo Russian mistakes it says do not ask a lady for her "email", because that is the same word in Russian for sex!!

Really? e-mail and sex...idk see no correspondence
Being a teacher and interpreter I ve heard many mistakes, some are funny and lead to awkward situations
Once we worked at the conference, we were interpreters. So there were 2 single American guys and one couple. We were having coffee when Jack's(married guy's) wife left us to go to the bathroom...just as she left, the other interpreter showed up, she also worked as some kind of coordinator of the event...so she looks at Jack and says 'Hey Jack where's your BADGE???' She left us speechless...especially Jack. Idk what word u guys use for this small piece of paper/plastic or whatever with ur name pinned to ur clothes, but we use BADGE...And since girl had rather peculiar pronounciation...what we heard was "Hey Jack where's your BITCH?" It was awkward.
Also I remember working at a restaurant, two Russians were hired - I and Ivan, my buddy. His English was fine, but still not flawless, we both had problems with listening comprehension and slang. So very first day...we got acquianted with everybody and turned out there was one gay guy. And my buddy isn't too tolerant and well even a bit afraid of gays. When I finished and was about to go home, this gay guy comes to us and says 'Hey guys how about blowing out a party, drink n dance and whatnot -we ll show ya how Americans can party' My buddy was like 'Idk...work is exhausting and I am not sure about schedule' Gay guy goes "Ok may be next time...U cut by the way?" My buddy looks at me with his "SOS!!! HELP ME look" I can't get whats goin on...so I told gay guy we were done for that day and thanks for invitation. Gay guy leaves, Ivan says 'WTF??? Y this *** f*g asks me if I am cut???' I LOLed...Ivan thought he was asking about circumcision 
Oh and famouse thing how Americans try to pronounce word 'соки'(juices) and it often sounds like russian word meaning pee...Servers sometimes are very confused)

[Rubicon]

- Email  (имел - sexual intercourse)

that's from our RWDpedia--button at the bottom of this page.

I love your stories!!

I like your saying about why is a hurricane named after a woman!!

[Sky_Blood]

- Email  (имел - sexual intercourse)

that's from our RWDpedia--button at the bottom of this page.

Oh wow...well e-mail and имел... Id never guess) Cuz I don't use the word имел unless i talk about 'white chick with 3 big black guys' stuff.
Looked thru Anglussian Dangers well, whats true is preservative and speed. E-mail idk...I wouldn't consider it as a danger unless one communicates with totally uneducated person

[SANDRO43]

i have many examples...but they all seem to be not too decent to mention here. 

Sky_Blood, all our RWDpedia is open to members' contributions

[The Natural]

In our RWD index of Anglo Russian mistakes it says do not ask a lady for her "email", because that is the same word in Russian for sex!!

And NEVER ask her for phone, sex and female 

[The Natural]

Once we worked at the conference, we were interpreters. So there were 2 single American guys and one couple. We were having coffee when Jack's(married guy's) wife left us to go to the bathroom...just as she left, the other interpreter showed up, she also worked as some kind of coordinator of the event...so she looks at Jack and says 'Hey Jack where's your BADGE???' She left us speechless...especially Jack. Idk what word u guys use for this small piece of paper/plastic or whatever with ur name pinned to ur clothes, but we use BADGE...And since girl had rather peculiar pronounciation...what we heard was "Hey Jack where's your BITCH?" It was awkward.

So Jack didn't respond: "She went to the bathroom"? 

[Faux Pas]

Really? e-mail and sex...idk see no correspondence
Being a teacher and interpreter I ve heard many mistakes, some are funny and lead to awkward situations
Once we worked at the conference, we were interpreters. So there were 2 single American guys and one couple. We were having coffee when Jack's(married guy's) wife left us to go to the bathroom...just as she left, the other interpreter showed up, she also worked as some kind of coordinator of the event...so she looks at Jack and says 'Hey Jack where's your BADGE???' She left us speechless...especially Jack. Idk what word u guys use for this small piece of paper/plastic or whatever with ur name pinned to ur clothes, but we use BADGE...And since girl had rather peculiar pronounciation...what we heard was "Hey Jack where's your BITCH?" It was awkward.
)

Sounds like it was an accent misunderstanding. Actually in many conferences they are referred to as a "badge" or simply, "name tag"