Thread: 16 years

It has been 16 long years since I started studying Russian, and I am no closer to my goal.
True I have walked away from it many times over these years, but I always come back. Not sure why.
Perhaps it is because the language seems beautiful to me.
Perhaps it is because I have put so many hours into studying it, and don't want to feel they were wasted.
Perhaps it is because other languages appear less interesting.
I think if it was not for the verbs, I would be doing well. The verbs really suck.

I plod on. I come back to it again, for the 10th time I think.
I am wondering if I am alone in this, or do others give up, and then come back to it again,
and again, -- and again?

K

Don't give up. If you have a passion for learning Russian, this is an excellent site and the people here are amazing - in fact better than some of the Russian "teachers" I have had. I learned to speak Russian 20 years ago, and am just now picking up where I left off. I agree verbs are the hardest thing! I can never get them right

I think in this 21st century 'electronic society' it's easier to find more efficient ways to conquer any language. It seems to me that chances are higher now. Being a learner of English myself, several years ago i coudn't have imagined i would be able to freely choose to listen to any speaker of English with accurately written text (from US president to a Harvard lecturer, or Sheldon Cooper, or Doctor House, if you want) or buy books and have them delivered for free from the USA. It is my conviction now this is a good time for any language.

Да ладно. Я вот лет 12 английский учу таким же макаром. Ты не одинок, удачи

I have been studying English 14,5 years:
10 years in school (I didn't get many useful things on these lessons, finished as "beginner"), 2 years in the university (the same, finished as "beginner") and 2,5 years in special English class + by myself + penpals' help. Now I'm in the middle of upper-intermediate class.

It's interesting that last 2,5 years of studying gave me more then previous 12 years) So if you think that you study Russian slowly, try to change a method. Don't give up!

For now, I am trying to spend at least one hour every day on my Russian. I am still not very motivated. One reason why I became discouraged before was because every time I studied Russian, all I could think of was Russian politics -- and how much I disliked Putin. Now, I am feeling that I can simply not think about the politics, and instead just focus on the culture and the people. The Russian culture is fascinating to me. I have been to Russia once, and would really love to return. I think that one day I will. (I also think that Russia will one day be an attractive place to live -- even though that may not be so true now!)

K

16 years and you're no closer to your goal?? What is your goal? I've been at this a little more than a year and while I can't actually talk about anything I can chat with people. What methods are you using? I learned most of what I know from iPhone apps and listening to CDs in my truck..

If you have been studying for only one year, then I'm not sure whom you're chatting with but it cannot be much more than just basic how-do-you-do. I have been through all of Pimsleur, as well as all of Michel Thomas Russian, studied vocabulary and grammar, etc. As mentioned already, I have given up numerous times, and then after maybe a year or two, I come back. Of the 16 years, I have probably been studying full time only about 4-5. K

Ha,ha, kerygma, it was good to read that you keep returning to study more Russian. I can certainly relate - I've backed off posting in Russian for a time, trying to study a bit more before I inflict my terrible grammar on the kind souls who correct me, and then correct me again...Nevertheless, I'm a real fan of this forum, and lurk often. Good to hear that others feel the same - and, thanks, Smetanka, it's good to know that the difficulty goes both ways!

Whether I personally ever learn enough grammar, or not, I really think this forum provides an invaluable service by keeping communication open among the people of different cultures who post. Whether it's comparing notes about the Northern Lights, checking out grammar issues, posting jokes, or taking jabs at political views, it's a great read in both languages. It just takes me a really long time to parse out the Russian

Originally Posted by kerygma

One reason why I became discouraged before was because every time I studied Russian, all I could think of was Russian politics -- and how much I disliked Putin. Now, I am feeling that I can simply not think about the politics, and instead just focus on the culture and the people. The Russian culture is fascinating to me. I have been to Russia once, and would really love to return. I think that one day I will. (I also think that Russia will one day be an attractive place to live -- even though that may not be so true now!)

K

What bad did Putin do to you?

Originally Posted by Marcus

What bad did Putin do to you?

Why this off-topic question? And you have to know that there is nothing personal when people can't stand liars and manipulators especially those who are power hungry.

Автор темы сказал(а) о своей ненависти к Путину. Это было для меня очень странно. Как связаны Путин и изучение русского языка и чем именно Путин заслужил такое отношение? Он ничем не хуже других политиков.

Originally Posted by Marcus

Автор темы сказал(а) о своей ненависти к Путину. Это было для меня очень странно. Как связаны Путин и изучение русского языка и чем именно Путин заслужил такое отношение? Он ничем не хуже других политиков.

This is off-topic and you are here getting personal. Странно или нет - личные мотивы, даже если они есть, нас не касаются.
И есть путинская тема для всяких дискуссий, либо можешь новую открыть.

Hey Marcus -

My Russian is not so bad that I cannot read what you have written. As the moderator says, you will not get me into a debate about Putin. All I can tell you is that for us Americans, Putin in the face of Russia. Whether you like that or not, it is a fact. I did not hate Putin personally. I simply did not like his policies. I don't hate anyone. Hate is too strong a word to use. Putin never did anything to me personally. I was simply trying to tell everyone why I lost my interest in studying Russian.

Вся тема о личных мотивах, ощущениях, впечатлениях. Мне трудно представить, что американцу может сильно не нравится политика Путина. Они хотят, чтобы он был американской марионеткой?

K, I can respect what you're saying. My interest in Russia is in its people, its culture, its music, food, dancing, architecture, history - oh, especially its old and wonderful history - but not so much in politics.

Originally Posted by Marcus

Вся тема о личных мотивах, ощущениях, впечатлениях. Мне трудно представить, что американцу может сильно не нравится политика Путина. Они хотят, чтобы он был американской марионеткой?

Я не думаю, что Керыгма собирались, для опорочить/оскорблять Путина, и я уверен, что она не собирались обидеть тебя, когда говорила мнения. Кто хочет что, для политические? Кто хочет любой в политике? Кто хочет любой начинки на пиццу? Никто согласиться может. Давай не будем тратить наше время.

I don't think that K intended to engage us in insulting or defaming Putin, and I'm sure that she did not intend to incite your ire, or summon up for discussion your feelings about the politician. Who wants what in politics?? Who wants what on their pizza??? No one can agree. I feel that we should not waste our time.

Originally Posted by Marcus

Они хотят, чтобы он был американской марионеткой?

No, absolutely not. I will only say: Alexander Litvinenko, Anna Politkovskaya, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, etc., etc., etc.

K

Originally Posted by kerygma

No, absolutely not. I will only say: Alexander Litvinenko, Anna Politkovskaya, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, etc., etc., etc.

K

That's the result of the long propaganda.

Originally Posted by Marcus

That's the result of the long propaganda.

Yeah, for some it's a result of propaganda, for others it's a tragedy of broken and lost lives.