Archive for the year 2010
Russian-English Linguistic Perpendicular Posted by yelena on Apr 7, 2010
Long time ago I read a Russian sci-fi story that was titled, if I’m not mistaken, «Лингвистический перпендикуляр» [Linguistic Perpendicular]. In this short story, we, the Earthlings, were trying to establish communications with the aliens. The aliens were very friendly and peaceful, but unfortunately every word in their language meant some kind of curse word…
«Христос воскресе!» [Christ is Risen!] Posted by josefina on Apr 4, 2010
Outside of the church closest to where I live in Yekaterinburg they put up the following poster a few days ago: «4 (четвёртого) апреля – светлое Христово Воскресение» [The 4th of April – the Bright Resurrection of Christ]. «Христос воскресе!» [Christ is risen!]. The following quote turned out too small for you to read on…
Russian Food – the Joy of Cooking Beets Posted by yelena on Apr 3, 2010
Let me start with a little ditty by a Polish poet Julian Tuwim that I learned years back in my then-Soviet elementary school: Russian English Хозяйка однажды с базара пришла, Хозяйка с базара домой принесла: Картошку, Капусту, Морковку, Горох, Петрушку и свёклу. Ох!… Once at a farmers’ market a housewife bought And back to her…
Russian Numbers – Now With Cases! Posted by josefina on Apr 1, 2010
Not too long ago we had a post here on the blog called “Russian Numbers 0 – 100”. No matter how useful this post might have been (and still is as you’ll see if you go back and read it again), I think I’m speaking for all of us when I say that it didn’t…
On the Seriousness of Russian Proverbs Posted by josefina on Mar 31, 2010
Do you find it difficult to understand what Russian proverbs mean? You’re not alone! It has happened to us all. But to understand this part of Russian language is imperative because Russians take their proverbs seriously. Yes, they do.
Russian Poetry for Real Russians – Part 1 Posted by yelena on Mar 29, 2010
We, Russians, are very proud of our literary heritage and justifiably so. After all, Russia «подарила миру» [gave the world a gift of] “War and Peace”, “Crime and Punishment”, “Master and Margarita”… And then there are the poets. Back during the «Золотой век русской поэзии» [Golden Age of Russian poetry] there were Pushkin, Lermontov, Tyutchev…
Dacha, Glorious Dacha! Posted by yelena on Mar 25, 2010
A 200-sq foot house for a family of four – check. A 30-horse power baby-blue car – check. Buckets, rakes, shovels – check. We are ready for a weekend at a dacha.