Thread: Looking for language exchange

Originally Posted by Helenej

I would like to try that. I live in Kiev, Ukraine, I'm a native Russian speaker, female, much older than you

Sure thing, Helene. What I've been doing with others on this forum is writing in Russian, and then also writing the English so if someone has problems with my Russian they can refer to my English I'm happy to meet you, so talk about anything you like. You can use either Russian or English, as you prefer. Also, feel free to correct me as I make mistakes. I need your corrections to learn. - - Kevin

I saw what "you had been doing with others" It sure added good mood to any Russian who read your posts. Still I highly respect your rush, the way you fearlessly tackle the problem. The way you make up sentences is commendable. How long have you been learning Russian? As I understood you want to email only. Does that mean that you have enough aural practice at your English courses? Sure, if I notice your mistakes I will correct them. And I will appreciate if you do the same in my English.

Originally Posted by Helenej

I saw what "you had been doing with others" It sure added good mood to any Russian who read your posts. Still I highly respect your rush, the way you fearlessly tackle the problem. The way you make up sentences is commendable. How long have you been learning Russian? As I understood you want to email only. Does that mean that you have enough aural practice at your English courses? Sure, if I notice your mistakes I will correct them. And I will appreciate if you do the same in my English.

Спасибо болшой для вашего комплимент, Helen (как вашего имя по-русски?). Я так рад познакамить с вами! Благодарю всю моему другам Нет ли важно общаться с всеми которые жаждать то же самые веши? Хорошо у нас есть компьютеры? Ну, я зря читал русского язык некоторые лет пока постараюсь выучить запас слова...ха ха... затем решал выступать и наступать проблему с обучениями написанием. Здесь я употребить что я научу. Относительно словесные упражнения никогда не есть. Сейчас я слишком медленно и предствляю проблему русским человеку Конечно, я помогать с английским языком.

Украина...интересно....я не знаю больше об Украиы. Сколько лет там поживаете? У вас есть работу? Я сам работаю как вышитником. Я всегда имею много вопросы...ха ха….

Thank you very much for the compliment, Helen (how is your name in Russian?). I’m so glad to make your acquaintance! I’m grateful to all my friends Isn’t it important to communicate with all those who desire the same things? Isn’t it good we have computers? Well, to no avail I read the Russian language several years while trying to learn a vocabulary…ha ha…then I decided to step out and attack the problem with training in handwriting. Here I make use of what I learn. Regarding verbal practice, I don’t have any. At the moment I’m too slow and present a problem to a Russian person. Certainly I’ll help with the English language.

The Ukraine…interesting…I don’t know a lot about the Ukraine. How many years have you lived there? Do you have work? Myself, I work as an embroiderer. I always have many questions…ha ha…

I’m gonna start with the correction, if you like.
Большое спасибо за комплимент, Helen (как ваше имя звучит по-русски?). Я так рад познакомиться с вами! Я благодарен всем моим друзьям. Действительно важно общаться со всеми, кто хочет того же. Хорошо, что у нас есть компьютеры. Я зря просто читал по-русски, пытаясь выучить словарь. Затем я решил step out (??? I couldn’t understand that, will you rephrase?) и взяться за проблему правописания. Здесь я использую то, чему учусь. Что касается устной практики, то у меня нет никакой. Сейчас я говорю слишком медленно и русскому человеку со мной проблематично общаться. Конечно, я помогу вам с английским.
Украина… (Why do you use the article? We are an independant state, shame on you ) интересно… Я не много знаю про Украину. Сколько лет вы там живете? Есть ли у вас работа? Я сам работаю вышивальщиком. У меня всегда много вопросов.

Wow, it was pretty interesting to have done than. It’s great you give the dual text. First, I could hardly have understood you if you hadn’t given the English version. And second, I can read correct English, translate it and remember. It’s a good practice.

If you need any comments on my translation you are welcome.

As for your questions, my full name is Eлена or Лена for short (feel free to choose the one which sounds easier to you). I was born in Kiev and have lived here all the time. I do have a job, I’m a real estate agent or realtor (which do you think is better?). Yet, as I’m a little bit crazy about English, I would like to do something connected with it. I’m thinking of tutoring so far, taking into account my age and the poor level of my English (my spoken English is way too worse than written and that’s why I desperately need practice in speaking).

Writing these tiny essays here on the forum is great. But I’m afraid, Kevin, that you are making another mistake by focusing on the written language and withholding conversing. Language is about listening and speaking after all, reading and writing are derivatives. You are creating additional difficulties for yourself excluding your aural memory out of the learning process. For me, your position is like learning to swim ashore. You are like, “I’m gonna go into the water only after I have learned to swim.” Actually it was my mistake, though I have an excuse for that. The point is that I had no opportunity to communicate in English when I was learning it years ago.

What are you learning Russian for?
A man who works as an embroiderer? I thought it’s a woman’s job.

Looking forward to your correction

Ха ха....этот восторженно. Спасибо, для вашей вводу! Простите на то, что моя грамматику была неправильно, а у меня нет достаточную способность А вы хорошо пишете! Вы спросили на слово “наступать”...(I wrote that I stepped out and attacked my problem. That was a litteral translation from the Russian which was probably unnecessary. Generally in English one simply writes “I attacked my problem by…”. I probably could have omitted “выступать”, though I liked the way you said it better).

По-словарю: агент по торговле недвижимостью (“real estate agent” and “realtor” are the same, the first being more formal). Его интересная работу. Расскажите мне об этом как можно. Я знаю, что Киев огромный город. Я живу в средном городе с красивым пляжами

Я так рад услышать вы в восторге из-за английского языка. Я то же, когда я учу русского. Я думаю вам можно стать учителя! Пожалуй, обучите с компьютером? Вы можете взять с времени устную способность, да, забудете возраст

Ну и каждый день я услышу на интернете русскые телеканалы. Просто, моя способность разговариваться по-русски. Я понимаю ваш совет и я буду сильно стараюсь его выполнить. Я деиствительно изуаю русский язык из-за того, что это интересно загадку...ха ха.
Это странно, пути жизни, а у меня был множество роли до этого времени. Сейчас в течении я вышивальшик! Более этого когда у меня есть время. Сейчас, исправления...ха ха.

Ha ha…that was pleasant. Thanks for your input! Sorry that my grammar was incorrect, but I have insufficient ability But you write well! You asked about the word “наступать”…().
According to the dictionary: real estate agent (). It’s interesting work. Tell me about it as you can. I know that Kiev large city. I live in a mid-size town with beautiful beaches.

I’m so glad to hear you’re enraptured because of the English language. I am too when I study Russian. I think it’s possible for you to become a teacher. Perhaps you can teach from computer? You can take up with time verbal abilities, and forget about age

Well each day I catch on the internet Russian TV channels. It’s simple, my ability to converse in Russian. I understand your advice and I will strongly try to fulfill it. I actually study the Russian language because it’s an interesting puzzle…ha ha.

It’s strange, the paths of life, and I had many roles up to this time. At this time I’m an embroider! I’ll tell you more of this when I have time. Now, corrections…ha ha

You actually write very well, Elena. You may have included an unnecessary article once or twice, but overall your thoughts were clear and well stated. You’ll naturally improve as time goes by, as I hope I will…lol. There’s a lot we can learn from each other I’ll continue to watch your writing, and if I think you should change something I’ll let you know. Until then, keep expressing your thoughts, and I’ll do the same. I’ll probably be short until I get the knack of writing Russian so as not to give you so much work…haha. I’ll be working hard to improve, so be patient with me I hope you have a good Monday, I’ve enjoyed our chat!

Ну вы меня порадовали! Спасибо, что потрудились напечатать все это. Жаль, что я делаю так много грамматических ошибок, но я пока не могу лучше. Нy а вы хорошо пишете. Вы спросили про слово “наступать” ().
Согласно словарю, это агент по недвижимости (). Это интересная работа. Расскажите мне о ней, если можно. Я знаю, что Киев огромный город. Я живу в небольшом городе с великолепными пляжами.
Рад слышать, что вам так нравится английский. Я так же отношусь к русскому. Я думаю, вы могли бы стать учителем. Возможно, вы могли бы преподавать, используя компьютер. Со временем вы сможете улучшить устную речь и забудете про возраст.
Каждый день я смотрю русские телеканалы. Мои способности говорить по-русски очень скромные. Я согласен с вашим советом и буду стараться следовать ему. Вообще-то я изучаю русский, потому что он для меня интересная загадка.
Жизненные пути удивительны, и до сих пор у меня были разные роли. На этот раз я вышивальщик. Когда у меня будет время, я расскажу вам об этом больше.

You must’ve noticed that some sentences in my translation are fairly far from your meaning, even though I was trying to keep to it as close as possible. But I think if I had been more literal my Russian version would sound too stiff, dry and unnatural. I myself am surprised at how far I had to go away from your meaning, but, as I said, it was necessary so as to make your Russian lively. At the same time my version has nothing to do with colloquial language or slang. I have had a little practice working as a translator for a TV channel. Actually I was translating “America’s next top model” reality show. It was then that I realized how far a good translation is away from a word-by-word one. Unfortunately, that work was over and I could not proceed.

As for the input. Don’t worry, I type using the blind method in both languages so it doesn’t take up much time at all. Thinking is what really takes up time, but I enjoy it. And the more so I am doing it for myself, I’m improving! As the saying goes, “Своя ноша не тянет” or “A burden of one's own choice is not felt”.

I wonder how long have you been learning Russian? I remember your mentioning “the word period” that lasted two years. How long have you been at this new stage, I mean composing sentences?

I wonder what you embroider? Where? With a sewing machine or by hand?

As for my present work. I’ve been involved in this business for 15 years. First I used to make good money, now the times have changed, the market is full, the crisis... And lot of nuances connected with the fact that the law doesn’t work in this country. In short, I wouldn’t like to do it any longer. Of course I will have to continue as long as people keep offering me to rent or sell something just because it gives money. But I don’t want it to be my business because the best business should be our hobby.

Originally Posted by kgcole

You may have included an unnecessary article once or twice.

That’s what I want to hear about. I wish you had indicated them.

Originally Posted by kgcole

Я думаю вам можно стать учителя! Пожалуй, обучите с компьютером?

Great idea! Wanna be my guinea-pig? Actually it will only need me to become fluent in English and refresh the Russian grammar. Not a big deal at all. I'm gonna do it on my head.