Thread: Struggling at beginning

Originally Posted by ZekeComa

I'm just struggling with it. I guess mostly due to the pronunciation of some sounds like ый, ий, or any word with *й

й forms a diphthong and has no sound of its own. It alters the sound other the preceding vowel. "ой" (when stressed) will sound like "Oi" in the world "oil." The pairing ай (stressed) will sound like "ie" in the word "pie." And ей (stressed) will sound like "ey" in the word "Hey." Since you are a beginner, I will leave it at those example, since they are fairly common. "ый," and "ий" sound like "ы" and "и".

Originally Posted by ZekeComa

and words that end with ь.

The words marked with ь can be some of the most difficult to learn for an untrained ear. The most difficult soft ending words that I struggled with and have seen others struggle with are "ль" "пь". The first pair "ль" requires that you place the tip of your tongue against the back of your teeth, rather than keeping it in the middle of your mouth - This one is the most difficult! And the second pair "пь" should be soft enough, so if you place your hand in front of your mouth you will NOT feel a puff of air.

Originally Posted by ZekeComa

I'm also having trouble remember the words, even if I have already seen it million of times. I just can't recall it without already seeing it, rather than memory. Any tips for a novice English speaker?

Repetition is my only suggestion. Start with flash cards - you can even write the word for 'dresser', "комод" and tape the card to your dresser so you become associated with its Russian name every time you go to it.

Originally Posted by krwright13

This one is the most difficult! And the second pair "пь" should be soft enough, so if you place your hand in front of your mouth you will NOT feel a puff of air.

Isn't this the case regardless of whether it's soft or hard? It's my understanding that, in contrast to English, Russians don't aspirate the consonants п, т, or к, soft or hard.

Originally Posted by zxc

Isn't this the case regardless of whether it's soft or hard? It's my understanding that, in contrast to English, Russians don't aspirate the consonants п, т, or к, soft or hard.

This is incorrect
here are two words
Пьеро and перо. First word means Pierrot (as a name of a character) and second word means feather
Those words pronounce differently

Originally Posted by krwright13

й is a diphthong and has no sound of its own.

I think this is incorrect
й has its own sound it is the sound of "y" in the word yogurt

Originally Posted by krwright13

you can even write the word for 'dresser', "комод" and tape the card to your dresser so you become associated with its Russian name every time you go to it.

That is a very good idea! I think I will take that up on a few household appliances.