Thread: Letter from a Russian pal

I finally recieved a response to a letter to a girl in Russia. BUT - it's in Russian! Help! Here's her letter - I'd be glad for any help! Thanks!

Пишу тебе я, Олеся. Я получила твое письмо и очень обрадовалась, признаюсь, я даже не ожидала получить из США.
Немного о себе. Мие 21 год, яживу вместе с родителями и младшим братом Колей. Ои учится в 11-м классе. Отец работает в ГИБДД (ГАИ). Мать – домохозяйка. Я окончила медицинский колледж и работаю медицинской сестрой в поликлинике. Работа мие очень нрвится.
Живу я в Курггане, мие очень нравится наш небольшой город. Он находится в 2000 километров от нашей столицы-города Москва за Уральскими горами. Его труднонайти на карте. Сейчас у нас холодная погода, иногда идет мокрый снег.
Я люблю слушать музыку, играть с нашей кошкой. Ее зовут Лиза. Еще хотелось бы иметь собаку.
Надеюсь, мы станем хорошими друзьями. В письме высылаю тебе свою фотографию.
Я с нетерпением жду ответ на свое письмо.

This is a rough translation. Perhaps someone else will give a better answer.


I’m writing to you, Olesya. I am very delighted to have received your letter. I admit I did not even expect to receive one from the USA. A little about myself. I am 21. I live with my parents and younger brother Cole (I think maybe it's Kolya) . He is in 11-th class. Father works for the DMV (GAI). Mother is a housewife. I have finished medical college and I work as a nurse in a clinic. I really like my job. I live in Kurgan (Курган). Our small city is very pleasant. It is 2000 kilometers from our capital city Moscow behind the Ural mountains. It is difficult to find on the map. Now, the weather is cold and sometimes it sleets.
I like to listen to music and to play with our cat. Her name is Liza. I would still like to have a dog.
I hope, we become good friends. In the letter I am sending you my photo.
I impatiently await an answer to my letter.

Отлично ДДТ.

Originally Posted by DDT

This is a rough translation. Perhaps someone else will give a better answer.


I’m writing to you, Olesya. I am very delighted to have received your letter. I admit I did not even expect to receive one from the USA. A little about myself. I am 21. I live with my parents and younger brother Cole (I think maybe it's Kolya) . He is in 11-th class. Father works for the DMV (GAI). Mother is a housewife. I have finished medical college and I work as a nurse in a clinic. I really like my job. I live in Kurgan (Курган). Our small city is very pleasant. It is 2000 kilometers from our capital city Moscow behind the Ural mountains. It is difficult to find on the map. Now, the weather is cold and sometimes it sleets.
I like to listen to music and to play with our cat. Her name is Liza. I would still like to have a dog.
I hope, we become good friends. In the letter I am sending you my photo.
I impatiently await an answer to my letter.

Я с нетерпением жду - I can't wait (impatiently is very literal translation)
also could say zhu ne dozhdnus'

Он находится в 2000 километров от нашей столицы-города Москва за Уральскими горами - It is located 2000 km from our capital Moscow past/beyond the urals. (to the east)

ГИБДД or ГАИ is traffic police...

I did a little Google for GAI and found this statement from an English trucker.

"Roads are poorly maintained and invariably unlit at night. Ahead, and to the left is a GAI (State Automobile Inspectorate) post. Once, a traveller would need to stop at every Police Post and show written authorisation to proceed- now, Russians can travel freely, and the GAI inspectors stop vehicles at random, mostly to solicit a "backhander". The police officers on duty take a special interest in Western European trucks. Discussions between an English trucker and a Russian GAI inspector take place in that well-known international trucker`s language- Desperanto."

я немного позанудствую.

Пишу тебе я, Олеся.

Originally Posted by DDT

I’m writing to you, Olesya.

She's introducing herself with the name Olesya, not addressing with it. It's like,

It's Olesya who is writing to you.

Originally Posted by Indra

я немного позанудствую.

Пишу тебе я, Олеся.

Originally Posted by DDT

I’m writing to you, Olesya.

She's introducing herself with the name Olesya, not addressing with it. It's like,

It's Olesya who is writing to you.

Yeah, i was wondering about that.