Monday, January 16, 2012

Clips from Russian cartoons

In addition to being fun, watching cartoons is a good way to learn a language because the dialogue tends to be clear and simple since children are the intended audience. Here are some clips of Russian cartoons, some with English subtitles, some without.

The first clips are from Cheburashka, now a Russian icon, Cheburashka was created in the 1960s and immortalized in an animated series that tells the story of the lovable, fuzzy, unique little creature who found his way to Russia by accidentally being packed into a crate of oranges. Cheburashka makes a home in Russia, becomes friends with a crocodile named Gena, and together they have many adventures.


Crocodile Gena performing his famous birthday song:

 The blue train song from Cheburashka:



And finally an episode of Vinnie Pookh, the Soviet-era counterpart of Winnie the Pooh:
Happy watching :)

~Abby 'Эбби'









Friday, January 6, 2012

Привет и добро пожаловать!

Hello, and welcome! As our very first post, I'd like to talk about the alphabet and share some very basic words and phrases that you'll find handy.
Firstly, the Cyrillic alphabet: (Click to enlarge)

Note the vowels: there are some rules concerning pronunciation of vowels and I'll get to that in my next post. 


Secondly, the handwritten script differs from the typed version above.

 I'll be the first to admit, it's a bit tricky to hands used to writing in English, and especially considering that schools in the US are  unfortunatly doing away with our cursive handwriting in general (but that's not a topic for this blog) The important point here is that most Russians use hadnwritten script when writing, and so it is of paramount importance to learn, and besides, it's beautiful :) So, regardless of your familiarity with it, we'll all learn it, practice, and perfect it together!


Thirdly, Here are just a few very simple and important things to know how to say in Russian.


Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuĭte) Hello
Привет (Privyet) Hi
До свидания (Do svidaniya) Goodbye
До связи, (Do svyazi), Пока (Poka)(use face to face)Various ways to say Bye to friends (less formal)
Пожалуйста (Pozhaluĭsta) Please
Спасибо (Spasiba) Thank you
Пожалуйста (Pozhaluĭsta) To use as we use "You're welcome" (Formally)
Не за что (Ne za chto) To use as we use "You're welcome" (More informal) Means: "Not at all"
Где? (Gde?) Where?
Что? (Chto?)What?
Меня зовут... (Menya zovoot...) My name is...

Как Вас зовут? (Kak Vas zovoot..)What is your name?
Да. (Da) Yes.
Нет. (Nyet) No.
Может быть (Mozhet byt') Maybe.


Ok, thats all for the first post! Our first meeting will be 6pm, Friday the 20th of January at The Inner Bean Coffee shop.  See the profile for info on how to contact us for more info!


~Clara 'Клара'