Thread: Clueless on how to transliterate a letter.

Hello,
I recently joined here. I am a pen-pal of sorts to an elderly Russian couple through a third party. They are shut-ins, and I write to them generally through a third party (mutual friend) that transliterates my letters to them. I was not expecting to recieve a letter from them in return, but was over joyed when I did. One big problem...completely written in Russian. I do not have a scanner to send the letter to anyone, and I live in the sticks in the middle of the U.S. There is no Russian anything around here. Any ideas on how or where I can get this letter to where I can read it?
sugarcookie

sugar? what is a shut in? and do you have the cryillic installed on your computer? nah, that'd be tough because unless you know the russian cursive translation it would be hard...unless they wrote in block letters? by chance they did write in block letters and you do have the cryillic set up and you have put stickers or something on your keys; you can go to this website (there are also translation services abroad) http://world.altavista.com/tr. Did you get a private response from anyone on here? I could look up a ukrainian friend if she still works where she did and ask her to translate it as she speaks russian as well. She would for sure ramble off what it says. Let me know, I do have a fax at work but it may take a couple of weeks to hunt her down or another. well anyways, I know what it is like when you want to understand something that is right in front of you but inaccessable. Take Care,

Anna-I don't speak russian

http://www.language-usa.com/yrc/service ... ranslation

Thank you for your replies and I am going to check out the llinks. A shut-in (English-American slang term for those who cannot leave their homes due to illness, age or circumstance) I did find someone to help me with the letter, but thank you for your kindness. I am sure this couple will write me again so I am using it as an incentive to learn the Russian Language. I have 4 small children and will probably teach them as I am learning. Any ideas on low-cost, easy to learn books or computer programs? Thank you again.
Sugarcookie

I got one I am happy with but you need a good mouse for the cursive writing program. It was 35 bucks. claims to have russias 1500 most used words. has options for self recording and playback. I don't know.... I am really happy with it because it covers a large learning style....um... whatever. It is through Declan software. Google words Russian language and Declan. It is a bit tempermental at first. You download the program then need to go and one by one save from the website the library of words which will install into the program. Then when you install the 20 or so files one by one into the programe (though easy sounds hard) you need to make sure your "list" of flashcard (ect.) words is set to over 100 or as many as are in the file. The problem is that each file has approx 100 words in it but the flashcard list defaults at 40 and to get the other words on there after the fact is impossible. So....if you want realistic progress and you get this program and you want all the words assessable ect just make sure you up the number when it asks you for list size at the time you are moving the saved word file to the program. That is if you get the program. I couldn't say I'd reccomend their German program. I got the ru read and write and/ flashcard pack. My mouse sucks so I've been avoiding the write part of it. But it all very well starts from the beginning with sounding out and identifying. It is much resembling how they did it here in the us-- learning the letters and writing that is. ok... I'm in a rush, overworked, underpaid, and sorry for the bad grammer and capitalization. wish I could get my son to learn russian.. he spikes up for german, is interested in spanish and is hyperactive happy to start the brief japanese class he will get for 14 weeks or so. But he is supportive of my language choice. I like the program. I bought it in an exasperated tissy fit.

We just bought a new computer so I will probaboly be able to pick up the program fairly easy. My husband is interested in Spanish, and my 4 yr. old son seems to be able to pick up Mandarin Chinese. I figure now is the itme to take advantage of my kids brain power. I've always been interested in Russian culture and language etc...so I said to myself, "Why not?" I blame it on Tolstoy! Read it in high school and it blew me away!
Thanks for the heads up and all your help.
Sugarcookie