Thread: Lady Natasha's washing

As you know, the proccess of studying of an foreign lanuage doesn't contain
only remebering grammatic rules, extending your vocabulary and so on. It
also assumes, that you study a foreign culture, an everyday life of
people, who lives in the country. You can obtain this kind of information
for many ways... By reading newspapers, watching a TV and, of course, you
can learn the foreign culture, if you'll live in the country yourself.
Unfortunately, it is not always possible... For many reasons. So, one of
the goals of this text is giving you a piece of information about everyday
life in Russia.

P.S. Also, any corrections are welcome!
/*
Offtopic

What is the english equivalent of the russian word "модельки". I mean
one-forty three models of real cars. In the text of the article I use the
phrase "small cars"... But I suspect that another word exists.
*/

================================================== =============================
Lady Natasha's washing

Today is Saturday. It means that I have easy lessons at school. In
other words, the subjects, wich we study that day, are not difficult. This is
usually geography, biology, physical culture or something like this.
Thanks for our teachers! Besides, it's the quick lessons. One lesson
lasts only 30 minutes instead of 45 minutes in business days. As today is
Saturday we have only four lessons. So, our class, 2 "G", is sitting in
the classroom and expecting when the last lesson will end. The bell rings
and we went out of the classroom. We're expecting upcoming holidays. After
the lessons I'll come to the home of my friend Cyril in order to see his
new small cars.

Cyril lives in the five-floors building. He lives on the ground floor.
Usually people call that houses "chrooshovka". That houses consists three
small apartments on the stairwell and also the ground floors don't have a
balcony. It means if you wanna do a wash you have to dry your washing
outside, not on your balcony. When I came, the Cyril's mom, lady Natasha,
was finishing her washing. It was summer, so, when she's finished, she
just layed the washing together in the wash-basin, took a stool and was
going to hang the wash outside. I think it would interesting to know, that
the special colunms are locating in yards. They're designed for the
wash-drying and located in a separate place of the yard. They stand
opposite each other and the lines join them. So, lady Natasha has been
coming to the columns, standed the stool on the ground, standed the
wash-basin on the stool and started to hang washing on lines. When she
finished and came home back, she entertained me and Cyril patties. What
the great patties that was!
================================================== =============================

Astronomer, would you mind posting the Russian version too, I think it would be easier to make corrections that way...

Originally Posted by astronomer

As you know, the process of studying of a_ foreign language doesn't involve
only remembering grammatic rules, extending your vocabulary and so on. It
also assumes_ that you study a foreign culture, the everyday lives of
people who live_ in that country. You can obtain this kind of information
in many ways... by reading newspapers, watching_TV, and, of course, you can learn the foreign culture by living in that country yourself. Unfortunately, that is not always possible... for many reasons. So, one of
the goals of this text is to give you some information about everyday
life in Russia.

P.S. Also, any corrections are welcome!
/*
Offtopic

What is the English equivalent of the Russian word "модельки"? I mean
one-forty three models of real cars. In the text of the article I use the
phrase "small cars"... But I suspect that another word exists.
*/

================================================== =============================
Lady Natasha's washing

Today is Saturday. That means that I have easy lessons at school. In
other words, the subjects_ which we study today are not difficult. Usually these are geography, biology, physical [education?] or something like that.
Thank God for our teachers! [I'm not exactly who you are thanking here, or for what.] Besides that, they are short lessons. Each lesson lasts only 30 minutes, instead of 45 minutes on weekdays. As today is Saturday we have only four lessons. So, our class, 2 "G", is sitting in the classroom and waiting for the last lesson to end. The bell rings and we go out of the classroom. We're waiting for the upcoming holidays. After the lessons I go to the home of my friend Cyril in order to see his new small cars [model cars? toy cars?] .

Cyril lives in a five-story building. He lives on the ground floor. Usually people call these buildings "chrooshovka". They consist_ of three small apartments off the stairwell on each floor, those on the ground floor_ don't have a balcony. This means if you wanna [!] do any washing you have to dry itoutside, rather than on your balcony. When I arrive, _ Cyril's mom, lady Natasha, is finishing her washing. It is summer, so, when she_ finishes, she just lays the washing together in the wash-basin, takes a stool and goes to hang the washing outside. I think it would interesting for you to know, what those special poles located in the yard are for. They're designed for drying washing and are located in a separate part of the yard. They stand opposite each other with lines in between.

So, lady Natasha was going to each line, standing a stool on the ground,_ standing the wash-basin on the stool, and hanging the washing on the lines. When she had
finished and come home back, she entertained me and Cyril with patties. What the great patties those were! [I've no idea what patties are, or how she entertained you with them]================================================== =============================

Your use of tenses is all over the place. I tried to change them to make more sense as much as possible, but as your first sentence, "Today is Saturday", puts the whole text in the present tense, it was very difficult to fix all the later mistakes without completely rewriting large chunks of your text, which I don't have time to do.

The rest of the errors are pretty minor.

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

Astronomer, would you mind posting the Russian version too, I think it would be easier to make corrections that way...

OK. I realized it too after the scotcher's corrections. Мне также интересно, много ли я сделал ошибок на употребление артиклей?

В общем, русский эквивалент текста приблизительно такой...

Как вы, наверное, знаете, процесс изучения иностранного языка состоит не
только из запоминания правил грамматики, расширения словарного запаса и
т.д. Он также подразумевает и изучение иноязычной культуры, изучение
повседневной жизни людей иностранного государства. Информацию об этом
можно получать из разных источников - читая газеты, смотря передачи на
иностранном языке, и, конечно, вы можете изучать культурные особенности и
быт непосредственно проживая в стране носителей языка. К сожалению, это не
всегда возможно... По многим причинам. Поэтому одна из целей этого эссе
состоит в предоставлении информации о повседневной жизни в России.

P.S. Приветствуется исправление любых ошибок в данном тексте

/*
Offtopic

Как перевести на английский слово "модельки"? Ну... Такие модели машин в
масштабе 1:43? В тексте статьи я использую словосочетание "small
cars"... Но, подозреваю, что есть какой-то другой перевод.
*/

================================================== =============================
Стирка тети Наташи / (Бельё тети Наташи)

Сегодня суббота. А это значит, что у меня в школе легкие уроки. Иными
словами, предметы, которые мы сегодня изучаем, не сложные. Обычно это
география, биология, физкультура или что-то вроде этого. Спасибо нашим
учителям за это!
(
Здесь я имел ввиду следующее.
1. Расписание в школе составляет завуч / завучи.
2. Они обычно также являются учителями... Поэтому и "спасибо учителям".
)
К тому же, это сокращенные уроки. Один урок идет 30 минут, а не 45, как в
обычные дни. Ну, и опять же, т.к. сегодня суббота, то у нас 4 урока. Итак,
наш 2-й "Г" класс сидит в кабинете и ждет, когда же закончится последний
урок. Зазвенел звонок, и мы вышли из классной комнаты. У нас впереди целые
выходные. После уроков я пойду к Кириллу посмотреть его новые модельки.

Кирилл живет в пятиэтажном доме. Он живет на первом этаже. В простонародье
такие дома называют "хрущёвки". В них по три квартиры на лестничной
клетке, и первые этажи без балконов. Т.е. если вы постирали белье, то
сушить его должны где-то снаружи, а не на балконе. Когда я пришел, мама
Кирилла, тетя Наташа, заканчивала стирку. Было лето, поэтому, когда она
закончила, она просто сложила белье в таз, взяла табуретку и пошла его
вешать на улицу. Думаю, будет интересно узнать, что во дворах есть такие
специальные столбы... Они предназначены для сушки белья и располагаются
где-то в отдельном месте двора. Они стоят друг напротив друга, а между ними
натянуты веревки. Итак, тетя Наташа подошла к столбам, поставила табуретку
на землю, а таз поставила на табуретку, и стала вешать белье на веревки.
Когда она закончила и вернулась обратно домой, она угостила нас с Кириллом
пирожками. Какие же вкусные это были пирожки!
================================================== =============================

Scotcher, thank you so much for the corrections!

Originally Posted by scotcher

As you know, the process of studying of a_ foreign language doesn't involve
only remembering grammatic rules, extending your vocabulary and so on. It
also assumes_ that you study a foreign culture, the everyday lives of
people who live_ in that country. You can obtain this kind of information
in many ways... by reading newspapers, watching_TV, and, of course, you can learn the foreign culture by living in that country yourself. Unfortunately, that is not always possible... for many reasons. So, one of
the goals of this text is to give you some information about everyday
life in Russia.

P.S. Also, any corrections are welcome!
/*
Offtopic

What is the English equivalent of the Russian word "модельки"? I mean
one-forty three models of real cars. In the text of the article I use the
phrase "small cars"... But I suspect that another word exists.
*/

================================================== =============================
Lady Natasha's washing

Today is Saturday. That means that I have easy lessons at school. In
other words, the subjects_ which we study today are not difficult. Usually these are geography, biology, physical [education?] or something like that.
Thank God for our teachers! [I'm not exactly who you are thanking here, or for what.]

Это я завучей имел ввиду, которые составляют расписание уроков в школе и являются также учителями.

Originally Posted by scotcher

Besides that, they are short lessons. Each lesson lasts only 30 minutes, instead of 45 minutes on weekdays. As today is Saturday we have only four lessons. So, our class, 2 "G", is sitting in the classroom and waiting for the last lesson to end. The bell rings and we go out of the classroom. We're waiting for the upcoming holidays. After the lessons I go to the home of my friend Cyril in order to see his new small cars [model cars? toy cars?] .

Yes. You're right. I think it would be the "model cars".

Originally Posted by scotcher

Cyril lives in a five-story building. He lives on the ground floor. Usually people call these buildings "chrooshovka". They consist_ of three small apartments off the stairwell on each floor, those on the ground floor_ don't have a balcony. This means if you wanna [!] do any washing you have to dry itoutside, rather than on your balcony. When I arrive, _ Cyril's mom, lady Natasha, is finishing her washing. It is summer, so, when she_ finishes, she just lays the washing together in the wash-basin, takes a stool and goes to hang the washing outside. I think it would interesting for you to know, what those special poles located in the yard are for. They're designed for drying washing and are located in a separate part of the yard. They stand opposite each other with lines in between.

So, lady Natasha was going to each line, standing a stool on the ground,_ standing the wash-basin on the stool, and hanging the washing on the lines. When she had
finished and come home back, she entertained me and Cyril with patties. What the great patties those were! [I've no idea what patties are, or how she entertained you with them]================================================== =============================

О, это все просто! Пирожок = patty => Мн.ч.: patties
угощать = entertain (to; at);

By the way, I was always thinking that the word "wanna" is equal the phrase "want to"... Am I right?

Originally Posted by scotcher

Your use of tenses is all over the place. I tried to change them to make more sense as much as possible, but as your first sentence, "Today is Saturday", puts the whole text in the present tense, it was very difficult to fix all the later mistakes without completely rewriting large chunks of your text, which I don't have time to do.

The rest of the errors are pretty minor.

Thank you again.

2All: The further corrections are welcome too. In any time.

Astronomer, here's another version.
I'll do it phrase by phrase, so I can also explain some of the corrections, OK?

And if I do it all at once, my fingers will fall off from typing....

Here goes:
----
Стирка тети Наташи / (Бельё тети Наташи)

(Mrs.)Natasha’s laundry
(-> 1. there's not really a title in English that translates Тётя.... and if you use "lady", followed by a name, it means that she is of nobility (the female version of a Lord). So you can't really use that. You can say "I saw a lady on the street,...", some lady, without name.
Тётя Наташа I would translate as Mrs. Natasha, or just Natasha, without title, if you know her well).
(-> 2. "the washing" is correct, but "the laundry" is more generally used.

----
Сегодня суббота. А это значит, что у меня в школе легкие уроки.

Today is Saturday. And that means that I have easy lessons at school.

----
Иными словами, предметы, которые мы сегодня изучаем, не сложные.

In other words, the subjects _ which we study that day, are not difficult.
(you can also say: the subjects that we study)

----
Обычно это география, биология, физкультура или что-то вроде этого.

They are (=”the subjects” in your previous sentence, so – plural) usually geography, biology, gymnastics (I think, no?) or something like that.

----
Спасибо нашим учителям за это!

Hm. With your explanation, I understand what you mean - but I don't think it can be literally translated in any way. To get the same idea across, you could say:
Thank the gods - that is, our teachers - for that!
or
Thank heaven and our teachers for that!

----
К тому же, это сокращенные уроки. Один урок идет 30 минут, а не 45, как в обычные дни.

Besides, they are _ short lessons. One lesson lasts only 30 minutes instead of 45 minutes on weekdays.
(-> "Besides" is fine too; as Scotcher said, you can use "Besides that" as well (referring more explicitly to the fact that there are only 4 lessons)
-> again, I'm fine with your version "one lesson". But it could be understood as if one of the lessons is short, and the three others are long. So Scotcher's version, "each lesson", is clearer.)

----
Ну, и опять же, т.к. сегодня суббота, то у нас 4 урока.

And well, as today is Saturday, we (only) have four lessons.
(I have attempted to translate "Ну, и опять же," - but have somone who is better at Russian than I check this - I'm not sure )
(-> "we have only four lessons" is correct - but "only have" sounds a bit more natural and colloquial )

-----


Dinner is waiting, so I have to run now - but I'll do the rest bit by bit, promised.

Astronomer wrote:

Lady Natasha's washing

Lady? Is she a Royalty?

In America, I think it's OK to use the term " Auntie Natasha's laundry." She does not have to be your relative.

There are many references on Google. Here are some examples:

Auntie Helens
Auntie Helen's provides free laundry pick-up and deliver service to people with HIV/AIDS in San Diego. Additional services include offering no cost clothing ...
www.auntiehelens.org/

Auntie Anne's
International chain. Includes company profile, products, store locations, franchising details and employment opportunities.
www.auntieannes.com/



Auntie Amy Stamps!
Join Auntie Amy's mailing list! Be the First to find out about specials, coupons upcoming shows, our occasional GRAB BOX (legendary value! ...
www.auntieamy.com/


Amazon.com: Auntie Mame: Unbox Video: Rosalind Russell,Forrest ...
Amazon.com: Auntie Mame: Unbox Video: Rosalind Russell,Forrest Tucker,Coral Browne,Fred Clark,Roger Smith,Patric Knowles,Peggy Cass,Jan Handzlik,Joanna ...
www.amazon.com/Auntie-Mame/dp/B000LJ94JI

Originally Posted by charlestonian

Astronomer wrote:

Lady Natasha's washing

Lady? Is she a Royalty?

Of course, not. I just opened my dictionary, typed the word "тетя" and got the following results:

тетя ( тётя) 1) aunt ( в соединении с именем пишется с прописной буквы ) 2) ( в обращении ) aunty 3) woman 4) ( о незнакомой женщине - в детском употреблении ) lady

...I realized that I made the mistake.

Originally Posted by charlestonian

In America, I think it's OK to use the term " Auntie Natasha's laundry." She does not have to be your relative.

OK.

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

----
Обычно это география, биология, физкультура или что-то вроде этого.

They are (=”the subjects” in your previous sentence, so – plural) usually geography, biology, gymnastics (I think, no?) or something like that.

Yes. It's gymnastics.

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

Dinner is waiting, so I have to run now - but I'll do the rest bit by bit, promised.

I hope so. Your comments are very detailed. Thank you.

scale model cars.
1/43 scale model cars (one forty-third scale).

Originally Posted by chaika

scale model cars.
1/43 scale model cars (one forty-third scale).

Or, Model Cars 1:43 Scale

Originally Posted by charlestonian

Auntie Helens
Auntie Helen's provides free laundry pick-up and deliver service to people with HIV/AIDS in San Diego. Additional services include offering no cost clothing ...
www.auntiehelens.org/

Auntie Anne's
International chain. Includes company profile, products, store locations, franchising details and employment opportunities.
www.auntieannes.com/

Auntie Amy Stamps!
Join Auntie Amy's mailing list! Be the First to find out about specials, coupons upcoming shows, our occasional GRAB BOX (legendary value! ...
www.auntieamy.com/


Amazon.com: Auntie Mame: Unbox Video: Rosalind Russell,Forrest ...
Amazon.com: Auntie Mame: Unbox Video: Rosalind Russell,Forrest Tucker,Coral Browne,Fred Clark,Roger Smith,Patric Knowles,Peggy Cass,Jan Handzlik,Joanna ...
www.amazon.com/Auntie-Mame/dp/B000LJ94JI

Wow!

Next installment:


----
Итак, наш 2-й "Г" класс сидит в кабинете и ждет, когда же закончится последний урок.

So, our class, 2 "G", is sitting in the classroom and waiting for the last lesson to finally end.
(I’ve thrown in “finally” in an attempt to translate the “же”. Am I right in assuming the following:“…и ждет, когда же закончится последний урок.” =” please let it end, we want to go home!” - Нетерпенье!
and:
“ждет, когда (or что? Is that possible?) закончится последний урок.” = neutral, just waiting till the end of the class.
)

----
Зазвенел звонок, и мы вышли из классной комнаты.

The bell rings, and we leave the classroom.
(Like Scotcher said, you're mixing up your past and present tenses. I know that in many cases, you can actually do that in Russian (very difficult for us! ). But you can’t do that in English (of course there are exceptions). And as you start your story with “Сегодня суббота”, I assume you are talking about “today”, your story is in the present. So I’ll use the present tense for the verbs, OK?)

----
У нас впереди целые выходные.

your version: ---> We're expecting upcoming holidays.
Hmmmm – are you? “holidays” = “каникулы” or “отпуск”.Is that what you meant? Or do you just mean: “And now we have the rest of the weekend off, hurray!”?In that case, I would probably say:“And now, we have the whole weekend ahead of us.” (the weekend is usually free, time off – so no need to specify that.)

----
После уроков я пойду к Кириллу посмотреть его новые модельки.

After the lessons I am going to the home of my friend Kirill in order to see his new model cars.
(-> 1. Scotcher’s version: “I go” = action, you go there, it just happens. “I am going” = “I have planned to go”, it has a future sense meaning as well. I’m not really comfortable with the nuances of the глаголы движения yet , so I’m giving you both versions.)
(-> 2. “to the home of my friend Kirill” (sorry, I’m allergic to translating proper names ), is correct, but I would probably say “to my friend Kirill’s place” = colloquial.)
(-> “toy cars”: as the word says, it’s a toy, for children; “model cars”: expensive, correct mini-copies of real cars, for men and other big children… )

-------


To be continued.....



PS: When I have time, I'll get back to you on the тётя-thing. In the meantime, don't call any woman (outside the US apparently) "auntie", if she is not a family member, or if you don't know her really well and have agreed with her to call her that.
You risk a black eye.

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

Next installment:


----
Итак, наш 2-й "Г" класс сидит в кабинете и ждет, когда же закончится последний урок.

So, our class, 2 "G", is sitting in the classroom and waiting for the last lesson to finally end.
(I’ve thrown in “finally” in an attempt to translate the “же”. Am I right in assuming the following:“…и ждет, когда же закончится последний урок.” =” please let it end, we want to go home!” - Нетерпенье!
and:
“ждет, когда (or что? Is that possible?) закончится последний урок.” = neutral, just waiting till the end of the class.
)

Да, ты прав по поводу нетерпенья. Можно еще перевести с английского как:
"Когда же последний урок наконец закончится..." Но для меня это звучит не очень
красиво, т.к. два однокоренных слова стоят рядом - "наконец" и
"закончится".

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

----
Зазвенел звонок, и мы вышли из классной комнаты.

The bell rings, and we leave the classroom.
(Like Scotcher said, you're mixing up your past and present tenses. I know that in many cases, you can actually do that in Russian (very difficult for us! ). But you can’t do that in English (of course there are exceptions). And as you start your story with “Сегодня суббота”, I assume you are talking about “today”, your story is in the present. So I’ll use the present tense for the verbs, OK?)

Кстати, никогда раньше особо не задумывался об этом тонком моменте с
временами... А ведь действительно так! Спасибо за объяснение.

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

----
У нас впереди целые выходные.

your version: ---> We're expecting upcoming holidays.
Hmmmm – are you? “holidays” = “каникулы” or “отпуск”.Is that what you meant? Or do you just mean: “And now we have the rest of the weekend off, hurray!”?In that case, I would probably say:“And now, we have the whole weekend ahead of us.” (the weekend is usually free, time off – so no need to specify that.)

Yes, I've made(?) the mistake, when I was writing(?) the article. Of
course, I wanted to say about weekend. So, you corrected me right ("And
now, we have the whole weekend ahead of us").

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

PS: When I have time, I'll get back to you on the тётя-thing. In the meantime, don't call any woman (outside the US apparently) "auntie", if she is not a family member, or if you don't know her really well and have agreed with her to call her that.
You risk a black eye.

Originally Posted by astronomer

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

----
Обычно это география, биология, физкультура или что-то вроде этого.

They are (=”the subjects” in your previous sentence, so – plural) usually geography, biology, gymnastics (I think, no?) or something like that.

Yes. It's gymnastics.

Originally Posted by BabaYaga

Dinner is waiting, so I have to run now - but I'll do the rest bit by bit, promised.

I hope so. Your comments are very detailed. Thank you.

физкультура = "physical education," of "phys.ed" (abbreviated), and not "gymnastics."

Originally Posted by charlestonian

физкультура = "physical education," of "phys.ed" (abbreviated), and not "gymnastics."

Понял