Russian English

[Jersey Guy]

I think I am starting to get a little understanding of what a RW really means when she speaks in English. Just some basics. When a RW says OK (Okay) she really means maybe, she will have to think about that. She may or may not agree with it. It is actually probably closer to nope. When a RW says "maybe "she really means  there is not a chance that would happen. But, at least when she says she will do something you know that will happen, you can take that to the bank.

[Vaughn]

"Can you ride me today?" is frequently misunderstood by me. I've come to learn it really means "Could you drive me to work today?"
 

When a RW says "maybe "she really means  there is not a chance that would happen.

I completely agree with you.
 

[Doll]

People! I really really recommend you start speking Russian , then we'll see what means what
As for the cases somebody uses "ok"- then it is up to her.
After 10 years in the USA I fugured out that many phrases used by Americans do not actually mean wha they should mean, sometimes they mean the opposite!
Anyway, please do start speak any other language.

[ML]

I think I am starting to get a little understanding of what a RW really means when she speaks in English. Just some basics. When a RW says OK (Okay) she really means maybe, she will have to think about that. She may or may not agree with it. It is actually probably closer to nope. When a RW says "maybe "she really means  there is not a chance that would happen. But, at least when she says she will do something you know that will happen, you can take that to the bank.

I suppose it depends on the context and type of situation, but . . .

I have found that when a FSUW says maybe . . . it means yes.

[Vaughn]

After 10 years in the USA I fugured out that many phrases used by Americans do not actually mean wha they should mean, sometimes they mean the opposite!

I am reminded of one of my favorites: да, нет. And the subtle sound difference between yes and есть.

[Doll]

I am reminded of one of my favorites: да, нет. And the subtle sound difference between yes and есть.

Didn't get it. 

[Doll]

I think I am starting to get a little understanding of what a RW really means when she speaks in English. Just some basics. When a RW says OK (Okay) she really means maybe, she will have to think about that. She may or may not agree with it. It is actually probably closer to nope. When a RW says "maybe "she really means  there is not a chance that would happen. But, at least when she says she will do something you know that will happen, you can take that to the bank.

[Daveman]

I've learned that when I hear "BLAAAAAHHHHblalalalalalaBLAAHHHHHH" -- it's my fault...

[Doll]

Always!

[Doll]

haha
Now you can give the "meanings" of RW's "sure"
OMG, I am already hearing Dave! 

[Doll]

better "yes, sure" 

[tfcrew]

  When a RW says OK (Okay) she really means maybe..

  I thought that was any woman.

[Shadow]

I think I am starting to get a little understanding of what a RW really means when she speaks in English. Just some basics. When a RW says OK (Okay) she really means maybe, she will have to think about that. She may or may not agree with it. It is actually probably closer to nope. When a RW says "maybe "she really means  there is not a chance that would happen. But, at least when she says she will do something you know that will happen, you can take that to the bank.

Try again. "Maybe you will put the trash out ?" ... you figure out what happens if yo u do not...

[newjason]

I totally agree with DOLL
Learn Russian.  You will find that as a whole it makes a lot more sense than English does. As a language it's very clear and make perfect sense. Unlike English, which most of the time makes no-sense at all. Especially when dialect and slang are thrown in by those who could not master the basics in the first place.

Here is an example:

In English you say  "the alarm goes off"
In Russian you say " the alarm goes on"

when an alarm sounds, it goes on.
It goes off, only when it is silent.
So, explain how come in English you say alarm goes off , when it goes on?


This is just one example. there are hundreds more.

In short, If you want to understand a Russian, learn to speak the language.
This will show that you are at least somewhat interested and motivated and genuine.

By not learning, and making assumptions about simple words or phrases, you are not deciphering a secret code. you are showing your ignorance and it's not very desirable to be honest.

This way, when she finally says :

" I feel good myself "

there will be no misunderstanding.


If you need help learning Russian, ASK!


Oh and one more thing..
When speaking to a native Russian speaker, please use simple and direct English and do not use euphemisms and slang expressions, they have no meaning to someone who is just learning the language. 
example: "she passed away" is a euphemism for  "she died".

[Daveman]

Try again. "Maybe you will put the trash out ?" ... you figure out what happens if yo u do not...

I've learned that when I hear "BLAAAAAHHHHblalalalalalaBLAAHHHHHH" -- it's my fault...

Okay honey, so I forgot the trash... want me to make it up to you later tonight??? 

sure

[ML]

Learn Russian.  You will find that as a whole it makes a lot more sense than English does. As a language it's very clear and make perfect sense. Unlike English, which most of the time makes no-sense at all. Especially when dialect and slang are thrown in by those who could not master the basics in the first place.

Here is an example:

In English you say  "the alarm goes off"
In Russian you say " the alarm goes on"

You are going quite a bit overboard here.

I have heard from many FSU people who know English very well that, in fact, Russian and other FSU languages have just as many, if not more, idioms, etc.

And quite a few of their common expressions are just as illogical as 'the alarm goes off.'

It should always come back to the idea of what the man (and woman) should be spending their valuable and scarce resources (including time) doing.

If the intent of man is to live in the West, then it is not a good expenditure of time to learn Russian.

If the intent of the woman is to live in the West, it is a good expenditure of time to learn English (or whatever).

And, by the way, Germany is expanding a program of helping finance the learning of German (in their home countries) for those who can later come and work in Germany.   A shortage of skilled workers there.

[Jumper]

ML-
I agree with you on the part that it's far more important that she learns the countries language she will live in ,and the man should do the same


That said:
There is certainly a great case to be made for the man to learn some Russian.


I understand my wife a lot better in English, from knowing some Russian.
Why?  because by understanding a bit of Russian you understand the common phrases  and sentence structure and how it effects someone speaking a second language.
 It allows you to understand  more easily what was intended ,verses what was stated, ,and  also allows some clarification directly in her native language.

Since communication in any relationship is quite important, i'm not sure how learning some Russian could ever be a bad thing if you intend to marry someone that speaks it as their primary language, regardless where they relocate.
It would not be a waste of time or resources unless she is incredibly fluent in English from first meeting.

I'm not talking about fluency in Russian, but a basic understanding beyond travel phrases is simply not as difficult as posters often  make out, and it allows better interaction with her friends and family as well.Relocation doesn't mean they are out of her life or your life, if you are in a long term relationship.
The little Russian I know did not take intensive study, and it has been extremely helpful in numerous times. I can catch the gest of most any conversation ,but miss specifics often.


Necessary ? no.


Helpful in understanding your significant other in both English and overall? absolutely.


Your significant other seems to have a very good grasp of English,so this wouldn't apply.
However ,most RW that men here will meet will likely not be at that level?

[Shadow]

One thing that always is good for some misunderstanding and amusement is that Russia uses the same concept as the French for counting floors.
Where in most of Europe and the US the 0 is used for the ground floor, the French and Russians consider the ground floor the 'first floor'.
Which never ceases to cause confusion in elevators....

[SANDRO43]

in most of Europe and the US the 0 is used for the ground floor

IINM, in the US they mostly call it 1st floor:

Displacement from ground level   British convention   American convention
3 storeys' height above ground     "3rd floor"                 "4th floor"
2 storeys' height above ground     "2nd floor"                 "3rd floor"
1 storey's height above ground     "1st floor"                  "2nd floor"
At ground level                               "Ground floor"           "Ground floor"/"1st floor"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storey)

Which is most curious since, on the other hand, the corresponding storey is designated otherwise .

One thing that always is good for some misunderstanding and amusement is that Russia uses the same concept as the French for counting floors.

The same applies here and in the UK, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Spain, Greece, etc. IIRC. What convention do they follow in "Dutchland" and Belgium?

[newjason]

You are going quite a bit overboard here.

I have heard from many FSU people who know English very well that, in fact, Russian and other FSU languages have just as many, if not more, idioms, etc.

And quite a few of their common expressions are just as illogical as 'the alarm goes off.'

It should always come back to the idea of what the man (and woman) should be spending their valuable and scarce resources (including time) doing.

If the intent of man is to live in the West, then it is not a good expenditure of time to learn Russian.

If the intent of the woman is to live in the West, it is a good expenditure of time to learn English (or whatever).

And, by the way, Germany is expanding a program of helping finance the learning of German (in their home countries) for those who can later come and work in Germany.   A shortage of skilled workers there.

ML
I respect that you might see it as being overboard.
I did not say there were no idioms or euphemisms In Russian language. lol.
I said,
when speaking to someone who is still trying to learn English, you should refrain from using them and speaking in slang.
I would offer the same advice to a Russian speaking person who is communicating with someone  who is trying to learn Russian.

I disagree that it is a waste of time to learn the language of your mate.
Of course it's vital that she learn English.

When I was in school, we had to take electives and for me it  was either under water basket weaving or  Spanish.  As I can't hold my breath for long periods of time, I  took Spanish.

I was thinking this is a total waste of my time ... while sitting there in that class and the teacher instructing us to repeat  over and over 
"un burro sabe más que tú "
 "un burro sabe más que tú "
 " un burro sabe más que tú "
 " un burro sabe más que tú "


I don't see how learning something new could ever be a bad thing, or a waste of precious time.

tell you what ML

If you learn some russian  ( spend maybe 2 hours a week over the period of a month, without your lady knowing about it )
then come to your lady and demonstrate to her what you  have learned,
and she does not respond favorably to you ( you know what I mean by that )
then I will personally pay for your wasted time.

Say with a couple of gift cards or something like that?

So , at worst case, you are a couple hundered bucks ahead.

what do you say?

[Shadow]

IINM, in the US they mostly call it 1st floor:

Displacement from ground level   British convention   American convention
3 storeys' height above ground     "3rd floor"                 "4th floor"
2 storeys' height above ground     "2nd floor"                 "3rd floor"
1 storey's height above ground     "1st floor"                  "2nd floor"
At ground level                               "Ground floor"           "Ground floor"/"1st floor"
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storey)

Which is most curious since, on the other hand, the corresponding storey is designated otherwise .
The same applies here and in the UK, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Spain, Greece, etc. IIRC. What convention do they follow in "Dutchland" and Belgium?

In general they follow the  Ground Floor - 1st floor convention.
However in the French areas they can differ.

[SANDRO43]

In general they follow the  Ground Floor - 1st floor convention. However in the French areas they can differ.

Calling it R rather than 0 in elevators, for Rez-de-chaussée (street level)? 

[Shadow]

Calling it R rather than 0 in elevators, for Rez-de-chaussée (street level)?

Actually they just use 1.
When the French chain of Etap opened their budget formula in Germany, the hotel staff had to explain this, as people would get quite confused the rooms in the 200 series would be on the 1st floor....

[ML]

tell you what ML

If you learn some russian  ( spend maybe 2 hours a week over the period of a month, without your lady knowing about it )
then come to your lady and demonstrate to her what you  have learned,
and she does not respond favorably to you ( you know what I mean by that )
then I will personally pay for your wasted time.

Say with a couple of gift cards or something like that?

So , at worst case, you are a couple hundered bucks ahead.

what do you say?

Well, this would be easy money for me to earn, if I wanted to waste my time.

My Gal would definitely not respond favorably (as neither would several other FSUW I had short conversations with about this); and she would instead slap me up the side of my head.

Reasons: (1)  I am an independent consultant and can make boku bucks on a hourly basis anytime I want to.  She knows this, and knows that ANY time I spent learning a completely irrelevant ANYTHING would subtract from money to go on a trip to RIO or anywhere, or do anything we would like to do.

(2) She and all other gals I had contact with are primarily interested in increasing their English proficiency, and logically know that my ability to interact in a FSU language would seriously retard advancement toward this goal.

And, any talk of my insensitivity to cultural aspects would be complete hogwash.

I know more than most FSU folks do about their history, geography, economics, cultural antecedents, etc.  An ability to speak their language is not necessary to gain this understanding and appreciation. 

[Shadow]

think I[/i] know more than most FSU folks do about their history, geography, economics, cultural antecedents, etc.  An ability to speak their language would only hurt my superior knowledge

Fixed.