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Russian Gestures – Silence is Golden Posted by yelena on May 13, 2011
And now I’m thinking of a Russian 4-letter word that starts with «ж»… Nope, not that one! The word I’m thinking about is «жест». As so many Russian words it has more than one meaning. «В переносном значении» [Figuratively], it means “an act intended for external effect”: «Его решение жениться на Марии было лишь благородным…
Let’s Celebrate Something or Other Posted by yelena on May 10, 2011
A lot can be said on the subject of Russian immigrant experience. But one thing is for sure – Russians here in the US celebrate a lot more holidays than average Americans. We eagerly adopt many American holidays, especially the ones that guarantee an extra day off. But we never abandon «свои праздники» [our own…
May in Russia – Celebrate, Study, and Plan for Summer Posted by yelena on May 6, 2011
«Май» [May] is my second «самый любимый месяц» [most favorite month] to be in Russia. The first one is «август» [August], «по личным причинам» [for personal reasons]. «Весна в разгаре» [Spring is in full force] or to recall the famous line of a fairly obscure poet: «Это май-баловник, это май-чародей» [It is May the…
Walking Around Moscow Posted by yelena on May 3, 2011
I’ve got good news and more good news so which one do you want to hear first? If you chose good news, here it is. You can now watch some of the iconic Russian movies online for free at Mosfilm’s official YouTube channel. Even better, many movies are digitally restored and subtitled in English. More…
Bottles Under Table and Other Rules of Marital Bliss Posted by yelena on Apr 28, 2011
I disagree with the classic who once wrote «Все счастливые семьи счастливы одинаково» [All happy families are alike]. Do you know who wrote this? How about the book that starts with this famous opening line? Back to business, however. As the saying goes, «браки заключаются на небесах» [marriages are made in heaven] meaning that you…
There Is More To Marriage Than “Брак” Posted by yelena on Apr 21, 2011
Are you married? Please don’t be offended by what seems to be my idle curiosity. There’s a reason for my asking you this (or is it “me asking you this”?) How would you ask this simple question in Russian? The answer depends on the gender of the person you’re speaking with. So if you…
Wordbuilding Tetris Posted by yelena on Apr 13, 2011
Every Russian knows that Russian language is «великий и могучий» [great and powerful]. Nowhere is the “mighty” part as evident as in «словообразование» [word-building], the process of creating multiple derivatives of any given word. Take any Russian «слово» [a word] and play with it like a child would play with his building blocks: «нести»…