Thread: Looking for language exchange

It occurs to me as I read some of the explanations from everyone, Lena, how much is implied or understood in the English language. In English it would never occur to me that I would have to specify that I’m writing a letter, if I’ve been in continuous contact with someone and in the process of the same; however, I understand that in Russian I will have to make that point

I wrote that I was “…looking for a common thread…”, and you seemed perplexed at that. That phrase is a common colloquialism meaning that one is looking for a common/general theme within something...a letter, or explanation, for example. It’s interesting to note that I was undecided about whether to use “нитка”, or “ветка” in this case. Someone else advised me that in the forum a “thread” is called “ветка”, and I was unsure whether to maintain the English imagery, or the Russian. I decided it was best to maintain the English…to search for a common thread. So what I was trying to say was that from your explanations I was searching for a “common thread” that I could learn to make my Russian more legible.

You also said you were confused about what I meant when I asked about the use of “какой-либо” in “general conversation” (общое разговаривание). What I meant was similar to what I described to you about the words “fancy”, and “imagine”. They may be noted as synonyms in dictionaries, but their everyday use in language is quite distinct and particular. No one in conversation uses the word “fancy” when they mean “imagine”. So generally, in common conversation, they’re not interchangeable. I was wondering the same thing about these two Russian words. In common use, are “какой-либо” and “какой-нибудь” essentially the same thing and interchangeable, or are they used separately to mean entirely different things?

I found it interesting your comment about “кажется”. Again, in English, the word “it” would be implied if omitted. By your explanation, in Russian it is not, and I have to specify to who it “seems”.

I have a separate question here now. On a few occasions I’ve written the phrase “спасибо болшой”, and have been corrected to say “болшой спасиба”. My question is that I have always heard it on television as the former…even heard it this morning. Definitely “спасибо болшой”. So is it improper to say it that way, and should I ignore it?

Сегодня я лучше почувствую. Я спал всю ночь. Сейчас я мало практиковаю в письме, затем работаю. - - Действительно, сейчас в работе...ха ха...после того, что я пишу !

Today I feel better. I slept the whole night. Now I’ll practice in a letter, then work. - - Actually, got to go to work now…haha…after that, I’ll write !

Я закончил с работой Простите, что я прежде вытянул с моим обяснением. Я постарался, что я был ясно с моими словами. Возможно в будушем, тоже, я мог бы решиться, что общаюсь по скайпу. Прежде этого похождения то, что мне нужен попрактиковать.

I finished with work Forgive me that I dragged out my explanations. I tried to be clear with my words. In time, also, I could decide to communicate by Skype. Before that adventure it’s necessary for me to practice.

Жаль, про вашего кота! Как вы поживали? Мне не нравиться коты...ха ха. По крайней мере вам возможно то, что вы его удалили. Страшно Об собак моей сестры, мне нравиться один, а другой нет. Она просто упрямая собака.

A pity about your cat! How did you survive it? I don’t like cats…ha ha. At least it’s possible for you to send it away. Frightful! About my sister’s dogs, I like one, but the other I don’t. She’s simply a stubborn dog.

You asked a question: The phrase “I fancy dark chocolate” means “I like dark chocolate”. In that case it’s better to use “fancy”. It’s good to know you use ABBY Lingvo, because our definitions will be the same.

I’m still very appreciative of the time you spend to help me, Lena. Did I answer your question about “general conversation”? I’ve written a lot here, so I’ll stop for now. One last thing…remember how to spell “synonymous”. You spelled it incorrectly before - - До свидания!

Originally Posted by kgcole

I'm the one who would be laughable

I actually was kidding when I said that a person who is in the process of learning a foreign language can be laughable. The more note that I started with myself. Mind that any cool linguist has been a first year-student once. Who was laughing at him then?

I believe we're all a work in progress Lena...lol

Why thank you for the compliment Lena! I think you're a dynamic individual too

Originally Posted by Helenej

Nope. How can he scare me? The more I’m not afraid of smart, intelligent and genuine people. I respect them.

Hey Lena....it looks like my last reply may not have been posted I don't remember what all was in it, and I don't have it saved!

Hi, Kevin. I'm gonna start with translation.

Сегодня я лучше почувствую. Я спал всю ночь. Сейчас я мало практиковаю в письме, затем работаю. - - Действительно, сейчас в работе... после того, что я пишу!
Today I feel better. I slept the whole night. Now I’ll practice in a letter, then work. - - Actually, got to go to work now…haha…after that, I’ll write!
Сегодня я чувствую себя лучше. (when it goes about health we say чувствовать себя) Я спал всю ночь. (!) Сейчас я попрактикуюсь в этом письме, а потом буду работать. Вообще-то, я сейчас должен идти на работу. А после работы я опять напишу.

Я закончил с работой. Простите, что я прежде вытянул с моим обяснением. Я постарался, что я был ясно с моими словами. Возможно в будушем, тоже, я мог бы решиться, что общаюсь по скайпу. Прежде этого похождения то, что мне нужен попрактиковать.
I finished with work. Forgive me that I dragged out my explanations. I tried to be clear with my words. In time, also, I could decide to communicate by Skype. Before that adventure it’s necessary for me to practice.
Я закончил работу. Простите, что я так растянул свои пояснения. Я попытался как можно яснее изложить свои мысли. Возможно, в будущем я тоже решу (решусь) общаться по скайпу. (решить = to make a decision, it’s neutral, while решиться = to make a decision after hesitation and indecision. So it’s up to you to choose, решу or решусь.)

Жаль, про вашего кота! Как вы поживали? Мне не нравиться коты. По крайней мере вам возможно то, что вы его удалили. Страшно Об собак моей сестры, мне нравиться один, а другой нет. Она просто упрямая собака.
A pity about your cat! How did you survive it? I don’t like cats… At least it’s possible for you to send it away. Frightful! About my sister’s dogs, I like one, but the other I don’t. She’s simply a stubborn dog.
Грустно слышать про вашего кота. (Actually I didn’t quite get your thought. My version implies that you feel pity for me. If you feel pity for the cat it should be Мне жаль вашего кота.) Как вы это вытерпели? Мне не нравятся коты. (Я не люблю котов. This is more flat and lively. Не нравятся implies that you are not so resolutively against them.) По крайней мере, вы можете увезти его куда-нибудь. Это страшно. Что касается собак моей сестры, то одна мне нравится, а другая нет. Она просто упрямая собака. (!)

Did I answer your question about “general conversation”?
I must be stupid, Kevin, but I still don’t understand “general conversation”. I know the meaning of “conversation” – обсуждение, разговор. General has a few meanings. Can you give me a synonym (I remember, thx) to this word in that particular meaning, maybe from ABBY.

I found it interesting your comment about “кажется”. Again, in English, the word “it” would be implied if omitted. By your explanation, in Russian it is not, and I have to specify to who it “seems”.
I must have stated my point of view in a wrong way. I’ll try to put it as follows. Generally we say Мне (ему, ей, нам, моей матери, Наташе, всем людям) кажется (казалось, покажется) and do not omit мне, ей, ему, им and so on. It’s true of expressing both someone’s opinion and sensation. Ему кажется, что он разбирается в живописи (opinion, he thinks). Ему показалось, что он слышит ее голос (sensation, he felt). Only the word “мне” can be omitted if кажется expresses sensation. Eму кажется, что он слышит ее голос. Мне кажется, я слышу ее голос. or Кажется, я слышу ее голос. But: Мне кажется, что она неправа.
There is one more case standing apart. In the author’s speech in fiction the person is omitted, too, and “I (the author)” is implied. Казалось, он больше не сможет подняться.

On a few occasions I’ve written the phrase “спасибо болшой”, and have been corrected to say “болшой спасиба”. My question is that I have always heard it on television as the former…even heard it this morning. Definitely “спасибо болшой”. So is it improper to say it that way, and should I ignore it?
When I express my gratitude with these two words only, I always say Большое спасибо, as in Russian we generally use this word order: adjective-noun. I’d say that Спасибо большое or Спасибо огромное is common, too. But for me, Спасибо большое sounds a little bit sloppy, as if someone said Спасибо only but then was like, “Oh, I hate to pronounce two words instead of one, but ok, let him think that my gratefulness is bigger.” At the same time I don’t feel absolutely comfortable saying Большое спасибо also because it sounds some pompous. You know I always remember the origin of the word cпасибо. It’s a strange word. It derives from “Спаси (тебя) бо(г)” which means “Save you god” literally or rather “May god save you”. So, спасибо is not a noun yet is combined with adjectives and it makes me feel awquard. Actually I think that combining of cпасибо with adjectives is only a 20th century invention, so... But if one expresses his gratitude in more that these two words like in “Большое спасибо за ваш подарок”, then the opposite word order “Cпасибо большое за ваш подарок “ sounds ok for me and even warm and hearty. It’s only my perception of the use of спасибо in speech, I may be be wrong.

I’m still very appreciative of the time you spend to help me.
Don’t mention my time spent on this thread. I’m practicing and acquiring knowledge from you. I’m the one who ought to thank you.

You know, Kevin, I’ve never in my life immersed myself into the Russian grammar so deep. And now, after refreshing a tiny part of it in my mind, I am like, “OMG, how can it all be learned by a foreigner?” I am deeply impressed by the huge amount of knowledge to be acquired and by the necessity of learning to think a different way. It’s not that I’m trying to discourage you, no way. I’m just trying to imagine how much the person should be resolute to succeed.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Hi, Kevin. I'm gonna start with translation.

Sorry my last letter was so long Lena…lol…I’m still mindful of your time in all this. Sometimes I can really ramble on. It seems to me from your corrections that I’m still not specifying enough, such as using “этого письмa” instead of just “письмо”. If I said, “I’m still incorrect,” would I say “Я ещё неправильно,” or “Я себя ещё неправильно”?

I like your use of some phrases, like the message where you said you’d do it “standing on your head”…lol. After I learn some more about proper sentence structure, I’ll try and pick up some of the Russian phrases you use.
Lol…well, I was saying I felt pity for you about the cat incident…ha ha. How did you survive it? Sometimes we poke fun by exaggerating a circumstance. It’s just American humor. That’s another thing I want to look at in the future, is the Russian sense of humor.

Сейчас я слушаю русскему телеканалу. Этого разговаривания так быстро! Вы чувствуете себя такой про английского? Я понимаю, что в течение время блекнет этого ощущения. Я этого ожидаю с не терпением.

Right now I’m listening to a Russian television station. This conversation is so fast! Do you feel the same about English? I understand that after a time this sensation will fade. I’m impatiently waiting for this.

Скажите мне Лена, вам нравиться кинофилм? Cloud Atlas последний филм, что я хочу посмотреться. Несколько филмы я посмотреть на DVD, а когда-то я хочу идтй в кинотеатре. У вас есть в киеве театра?

Tell me Lena, do you like movies? Cloud Atlas is the next movie that I want to see. Some films I watch on DVD, but sometimes I want to go to the movie theatre. Do you have a theatre in Kiev?

А на восточный берег США щёл огромный шторм. Вы послышали? Это страшное. У вас есть трудные зимы там в киеве? Я никогда не видал такой снег. А вы ли путешествовали? Я в японии поехал когда я был молодее. Я был в войске (US Marine Corps).

A huge storm came to the east coast of the USA. Did you hear? It was terrible. Do you have difficult winters there in Kiev? I’ve never seen such snow. Have you traveled? I went to Japan when I was younger. I was in the armed forces (US Marine Corps).

Well that’s all for now, I’ll keep this short for you…lol.

Originally Posted by kgcole

I like your use of some phrases, like the message where you said you’d do it “standing on your head”…lol. After I learn some more about proper sentence structure, I’ll try and pick up some of the Russian phrases you use.

Uh-oh. This expression is not Russian whatever. It's English and it's in the ABBY. You can look it up.

do it (standing )on one's head делать с легкостью. Right, old boy. Leave it to me. I can do this on my head. — Ладно, старик. Оставь это мне. Мне это раз плюнуть.

I thought you knew. The more this expression occurs in the devine Jesus Christ Superstar.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - King Herod's Song - YouTube
But if you have never heard of it then it must be not common. Perhaps I shouldn't use it. What do you think?

Originally Posted by Helenej

Uh-oh. This expression is not Russian whatever. It's English and it's in the ABBY. You can look it up.

do it (standing )on one's head делать с легкостью. Right, old boy. Leave it to me. I can do this on my head. — Ладно, старик. Оставь это мне. Мне это раз плюнуть.

I thought you knew. The more this expression occurs in the devine Jesus Christ Superstar.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - King Herod's Song - YouTube
But if you have never heard of it then it must be not common. Perhaps I shouldn't use it. What do you think?

Don't worry, Lena, you just misunderstood what I wrote...lol. What I was saying was that I liked how you used the expression, you did it correctly. I just want to learn some for myself that are Russian, when I have the time. No worries

If I said, “I’m still incorrect,” would I say “Я ещё неправильно,” or “Я себя ещё неправильно”?
I would go with Я все еще делаю ошибки or Я все еще неправильно говорю or Я все еще неправильно пишу.

Lol…well, I was saying I felt pity for you about the cat incident…ha ha. How did you survive it? Sometimes we poke fun by exaggerating a circumstance. It’s just American humor. That’s another thing I want to look at in the future, is the Russian sense of humor.
I hope that I have a sense of humour. But as I speak English I am often afraid to make a step left or right. This Russian expression means that I am often uncertain about what I hear, I often presume that there may be some different meaning which I don’t know. That’s because I do often bump into lots of sentences that I don’t understand.

Сейчас я слушаю русскему телеканалу. Этого разговаривания так быстро! Вы чувствуете себя такой про английского? Я понимаю, что в течение время блекнет этого ощущения. Я этого ожидаю с не терпением.
Right now I’m listening to a Russian television station. This conversation is so fast! Do you feel the same about English? I understand that after a time this sensation will fade. I’m impatiently waiting for this.
Сейчас я слушаю русский телеканал. Они так быстро говорят. У вас такое же впечатление от английского? Я понимаю, что со временем это ощущение пропадет. Я с нетерпением жду этого. (It shall fade, I have some evidence of that )

Скажите мне Лена, вам нравиться кинофилм? Cloud Atlas последний филм, что я хочу посмотреться. Несколько филмы я посмотреть на DVD, а когда-то я хочу идтй в кинотеатре. У вас есть в киеве театра?
Tell me Lena, do you like movies? Cloud Atlas is the next movie that I want to see. Some films I watch on DVD, but sometimes I want to go to the movie theatre. Do you have a theatre in Kiev?
Скажите, Лена, вы любите кино? (Only любите, нравится implies a smaller degree of confidence about liking it.) Следующий фильм, который я хочу посмотреть, это “Облачный атлас”. Я смотрю фильмы на DVD, но иногда мне хочется сходить в кино. А у вас в Киеве есть театр? (Here the conjunction “a” expresses contrasting of the two last sentences. It makes the utterance sound more natural and lively.)

А на восточный берег США щёл огромный шторм. Вы послышали? Это страшное. У вас есть трудные зимы там в киеве? Я никогда не видал такой снег. А вы ли путешествовали? Я в японии поехал когда я был молодее. Я был в войске (US Marine Corps).
A huge storm came to the east coast of the USA. Did you hear? It was terrible. Do you have difficult winters there in Kiev? I’ve never seen such snow. Have you traveled? I went to Japan when I was younger. I was in the armed forces (US Marine Corps).
На восточный берег США обрушился сильный шторм. (“A” is not to the point for there is no contrasting between movies and the storm here.) Вы слышали об этом? Это было ужасно. А в Киеве суровые зимы? (That’s correct, there is contrasting between the weather in the USA and Ukraine.) Я никогда не видел такого снега. (видал is the Past Tense of видать, which is an archaic word.) (Я никогда не видел такой снег is correct, too, but I’d definitely choose такого снега, the genitive is much more common in negative sentences than the accusative.) Вы когда-нибудь путешествовали? В молодости я был в Японии. (Я был в Японии, когда был моложе is possible, too. But the former sounds neutral while the latter makes me think that you are sorry about your not being young anymore.) Я служил в вооруженных силах (корпус морской пехоты США).

And now about your questions. I know that it would be more useful for you if I answered in Russian. Yet I find it much more useful for me to see the results of your revision.

Do you feel the same about English?
No doubt, natural English speech is too fast for me and I understand much more when I’m spoken to slower. I don’t remember if I told you that I understand only about 20-30% when I watch an American movie where the characters speak fast, lol. I could never have done the work I mentioned without having scripts. 

Do you like movies?
Yes, but only good ones, those that have an idea, that make me think. I don’t watch a lot, though. I’ve heard of Cloud Atlas and even tried to read the novel that it is based on a couple months ago, before the film was released. I read two parts out of six and started to read the third one. Then I said, “What a trash” and put the book aside. The first thing I don’t like about the novel is its being so complicated in form. Two in one or six in one, for me that means that the author is not talented enough to express his idea in a more natural way, telling just one story. I read the first part and I was like, “What is it about? It’s about nothing. Nothing to think about, just a history of a people on some islands.” It was boring. Yet I proceeded. The second part was a story of a mean swindler. Nothing new, nothing special, unnecessary spicy details. It may be exquisite literature yet I didn’t get it. Maybe if I had made myself read the novel to the end I would have got the point, I don’t know. Yet I chose not to waste time on it. The more I am always sceptical about the mainstream. But the film may be thrilling.

Do you have a theatre in Kiev?
Yes, we do. Kiev is a big village.  Actually we have 66 theatres and 58 movie theatres. You can look them up. Here is the link.
ТЕАТ

A huge storm came to the east coast of the USA. Did you hear?
Sure. I’ve seen those terrible videos and pictures. It’s awful.

Do you have difficult winters there in Kiev?
Sometimes we do. But generally winters are not too severe. It can be 5-10 degrees, though thaws are common too, and once every 5 years we have above 20, but such big frosts never last long.

Have you traveled?
Not much, I used to travel more when I was younger, too. I was to Russia: Moscow, St.Petersberg, the Urals, then Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Latvia, Belorus. I only travel about Ukraine at present.

Lol…you’re definitely not stupid Lena…lol. ABBY defines “general” or “common” as “общий”. So, as one talks on a daily basis, or with understanding by all; i.e., “спасибо болшой” is just one of those phrases that everybody says and would be understood by all because it’s common knowledge. Doesn’t matter if it’s acceptable grammar, it’s accepted in daily use.

I think I understand your explanation about “кажется”. Thanks for the clarification.

Well, I’m definitely committed to learning Russian. I’m the kind of person that when I start something, I want to finish it. I know there’s a lot to learn, but the idea is to make it fun. That’s why I enjoy communicating. Talking to, or writing people is fun. For so long I just read, and that was one-dimensional. I wasn’t learning as quickly, or as well. Our interaction changes that dynamic, and I hope to continue the experience

Я заглянул в ветку про совершенного и несовершенного глаголов, а мне кажется и интересно. Этого аргументы английским языком очень простой. Вообше-то, ещё мне придеться выучиться по-русски...ах, да! Возможно, в будущее будут соединят на веб-сайт более людей, чтобы спорить.

I looked at the thread about perfective and imperfective verbs, and to me it seemed interesting. This argument in the English language is very simple. Generally, it’s still incumbent upon me to learn the Russian way…..oh, no! Possibly, in the future more people will join together in order to argue.

Вы видите пост Евгения про борщы? Интересно. Я было бы хотить тот попробовать. Мне нравиться необычная еда. Лена, а вам нравиться варить? Когда-то я поварить, хотя, обыкновенно лишь с другом людями. У меня средные способности!

Did you see Eugene’s post about borscht? I would like to try that. I like unusual food. Do you like to cook, Lena? Sometimes I cook, though usually only with other people. I have mediocre talents!

У меня есть брат и он поживает в Texas-е, США. У него есть жены и один молодо сын. Мой племяник меня обрадовал...ха ха. Сей Рождения наш семьи не будем соединенным. А у вас есть какая-нибудь семьи?

I have a brother and he lives in Texas, USA. He has a wife and one young son. My nephew gladdens me…ha ha. This Christmas our family won’t be together. And do you have any family?

I think you have a sense of humor. I see it in your lighthearted remarks. And I understand your hesitation that your describe about not wanting to say something for fear it’s incorrect. That’s natural. We all need to feel safe, and to trust that we won’t be embarrassed because we’re learning. It’s okay if you make mistakes while speaking or writing with me. I won’t be offended, or laugh at you. Learning takes time, and patience. I have always had great patience when it comes to that. So make as many mistakes as you want, I’ll just keep correcting you until you don’t make them anymore

Corrections:
No doubt, natural English speech is too fast for me and I understand much more when I’m spoken to slower (slowly). I don’t remember if I told you that I understand only about 20-30% when I watch an American movie where the characters speak fast, lol. I could never have done the work I mentioned without having scripts. 

Yes, but only good ones, those that have an idea, that make me think. I don’t watch a lot, though. I’ve heard of Cloud Atlas and even tried to read the novel that it is based on a couple months ago (I’d rearrange that sentence, Lena: I’ve heard of Cloud Atlas and even tried a couple months ago to read the novel that it is based on.), before the film was released. I read two parts out of six and started to read the third one. Then I said, “What a (using “a” here is incorrect) trash” and put the book aside. The first thing I don’t like about the novel is its (Use “it”. “Its” is incorrect possessive) being so complicated in form. Two in one or six in one, for me that means that the author is not talented enough to express his idea in a more natural way, telling just one story. I read the first part and I was like, “What is it about? It’s about nothing. Nothing to think about, just a history of a people on some islands.” It was boring. Yet I proceeded. The second part was a story of a mean swindler. Nothing new, nothing special, unnecessary spicy (I don’t think I’d use the adjective “spicy” here. The word usually implies something agreeable, or likeable, and what you’re describing is something disagreeable to you. I’d simply leave it out) details. It may be exquisite literature(,) yet I didn’t get it. Maybe if I had made myself read the novel to the end I would have got (gotten...or better yet, use "understood") the point, I don’t know. Yet I chose not to waste time on it. The more I am always sceptical about the mainstream. But the film may be thrilling.
(I need to explain the use of “The more…” more clearly to you Lena. You’ve begun using it incorrectly. It’s generally used in comparison: “The more I write, the more I learn.” or “The more I write, the less mistakes I make.”)

Sometimes we do. But generally winters are not too severe. It can be 5-10 degrees, though thaws are common too, and once every 5 years we have above 20, but such big frosts never last long.
(I’d break that last comment into a couple sentences to be clearer. The use of multiple conjunctions to continue the thought in one sentence is awkward : “Sometimes we do. But generally winters are not severe. It can be 5-10 degrees, though thaws are common too. Once every 5 years we have above 20, but such frosts never last long.”)

Not much, I used to travel more when I was younger, too. I was (went) to Russia: Moscow, St.Petersberg, the Urals, then Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Latvia, Belorus. I only travel about (the) Ukraine at present.

As you can see, there's not much to correct for you. These are things generally that are picked up on written exams, if one wanted to be completely correct.

Hi, Kevin. Can you help me, please? Can you put the verbs in brackets in the following passage in the correct form? Just imagine that someone told you this story.
A boy (come) home from school. His mother (ask) him.
- What a bruise you’ve got under your eye! What (happen)?
- I (fight) with Peter today.
- How it (happen)?
- Well, I (sit) at my desk and (play) a game on my cellphone. Pete (come up) to me and (ask) for it to play. I (refuse) and (say) that I (want) to play myself. Then he (try) to pull the phone out of my hands. I (hide) it into my bag. Then he (hit) me in the face.

Sure Lena, no problem:

A boy (come[came]) home from school. His mother (ask[asked]) him.
- What a bruise you’ve got under your eye! What (happen[happened])?
- I (fight[fought]) with Peter today.
- How it (happen[How did it happen])?
- Well, I (sit[sat]) at my desk and (play[played]) a game on my cellphone. Pete (come up[came up]) to me and (ask[asked to play.]) for it to play. I (refuse[refused]) and (say[said]) that I (want[want to play by myself]) to play myself. Then he (try[tried]) to pull the phone out of my hands. I (hide[hid it in my bag]) it into my bag. Then he (hit[correct]) me in the face.

Originally Posted by kgcole

Sure Lena, no problem:

A boy (come[came]) home from school. His mother (ask[asked]) him.
- What a bruise you’ve got under your eye! What (happen[happened])?
- I (fight[fought]) with Peter today.
- How it (happen[How did it happen])?
- Well, I (sit[sat]) at my desk and (play[played]) a game on my cellphone. Pete (come up[came up]) to me and (ask[asked to play.]) for it to play. I (refuse[refused]) and (say[said]) that I (want[want to play by myself]) to play myself. Then he (try[tried]) to pull the phone out of my hands. I (hide[hid it in my bag]) it into my bag. Then he (hit[correct]) me in the face.

Oh, thank you for being so fast, Kevin. Please, don't correct anything in your post. If you want to change anything make another post.
Now, you haven't use any Perfect tense in the translation. Are you sure they are not necessary? Is it possible that you could use any of the Perfect Tenses in here?
And one question more. Why didn't you say "I was sitting and playing"?

Originally Posted by kgcole

Corrections:

Oh, at last I can see so many corrections. I guess you have just been afraid to discourage me before, because I’m sure there were lots of mistakes in my previous posts.

Natural English speech is too fast for me and I understand much more when I’m spoken to slower (slowly). The ABBY reads that slow can be used both as an adjective and adverb. I don’t understand.

What a (using “a” here is incorrect) trash. Good remark, I wouldn’t think of that myself, though I know the rule.

I’d rearrange that sentence: I’ve heard of Cloud Atlas and even tried a couple months ago to read the novel that it is based on. To think, I would never dare insert such an adverbial modifier inside the predicate!

The first thing I don’t like about the novel is its (Use “it”. “Its” is incorrect possessive) being so complicated in form. You know I’ve been doing this mistake for years. Poor me!

Nothing new, nothing special, unnecessary spicy (I don’t think I’d use the adjective “spicy” here. The word usually implies something agreeable, or likeable, and what you’re describing is something disagreeable to you. I’d simply leave it out) details. Ok, now I will remember. But if I meant something indecent what would you say?

It was a good lesson, Kevin. Thank you.

Я заглянул в (на) ветку про совершенного (совершенные, nominative) и несовершенного (несовершенные) глаголов (глаголы), а (и, no contrasting) мне это кажется (показалось, past tense) и (omit) интересно (интересным, instrumental). Этого (этот, nominative) аргументы (спор) на английским (английском) языком (языке) очень простой. (Но) Вообше-то (в целом) ещё мне придеться выучиться по-русски (изучение русского будет зависеть только от моих стараний). Ах(о), да (нет)! Возможно, в будущее (в будущем) будут соединят на веб-сайт более людей, чтобы спорить (еще больше людей сможет к нам присоединить, чтобы вести дискуссии)

I looked at the thread about perfective and imperfective verbs, and to me it seemed interesting. This argument in the English language is very simple. Generally, it’s still incumbent upon me to learn the Russian way…..oh, no! Possibly, in the future more people will join together in order to argue.

Вы видите (видели – past tense) пост Евгения про борщы (борщ)? Я было бы хотить тот попробовать. (Я бы хотел его попробовать) Мне нравиться (нравится, we write -ться in infinitives only, and we wrile -тся in finite forms of verbs) необычная еда. Лена, а вам нравиться (нравится) готовить (готовить means to boil (варить), to fry, to bake and so on)? Когда-то (иногда) я поварить (готовлю, present tense), правда, обыкновенно (обычно) лишь (только, лишь is out-of-date) с другом (другими) людями (людьми). У меня средные (средние) способности!

Did you see Eugene’s post about borscht? I would like to try that. I like unusual food. Do you like to cook, Lena? Sometimes I cook, though usually only with other people. I have mediocre talents!

У меня есть брат и он поживает (живет, we use поживать only in the question Как вы поживаете?) в Техасе в США (we never write the name of a state and of the country together separated by comma). У него есть жены (жена, nominative singular) и один (you should omit the number if it is one) молодо (маленький, молодой means не старый) сын. Мой племяник (племянник) меня обрадовал (радует меня). Сей Рождения (на это рождество, this holiday is called Рождество) наш (наша) семья не будем (не будет) соединенным (вместе). А у вас есть какая-нибудь (should be omitted because a person can have only one family, if you asked me about a bag, for example, you could use this word, but necessarily) семьи (семья, nominative singular)?

I have a brother and he lives in Texas, USA. He has a wife and one young son. My nephew gladdens me. This Christmas our family won’t be together. And do you have any family?

I tried to insert corrections in your way, after every wrong word. But it seems to be worse. What would you say?

The ABBY reads that slow can be used both as an adjective and adverb. I don’t understand.
You’re correct, you could use “slower” as well, but I think “slowly” is more natural and makes the sentence able to stand on its own without further information if it were needed.

I’d rearrange that sentence: I’ve heard of Cloud Atlas and even tried a couple months ago to read the novel that it is based on. To think, I would never dare insert such an adverbial modifier inside the predicate!
The way the sentence was written previously, it made it sound like “a couple months ago” referred to “the novel that it is based on”, rather than the time frame of when one “tried”….”a couple months ago…”.

Ok, now I will remember. But if I meant something indecent what would you say?
The word “spicy” is very common when used to describe indecent subjects, such as “…the spicy details of last night’s date,” or “…the spicy
subject of their last romantic encounter.”

Most of the mistakes you’ve made along the way have been very minimal, Lena, so I haven’t been too quick to make note of them to you. I would say that articles are a common point of trouble that I hear from foreigners when they speak or write….when to use “the”, or “a”, or
when not to. I’ll be more diligent to point these out to you so that we can “polish” up your patterns.

I have a question for you Lena about using the genitive case for nouns…I’ve read before that the genitive case is often used as the subject of a sentence, and so often I’ve been doing that. Is this incorrect? If it is sometimes used, when would that be?

I noticed that most of the mistakes I made this time were very common mistakes. I’ve got to watch how I choose my cases. I still have trouble with choosing when to use perfective or imperfective.

Сегодня я с другом я обедал. Обед был очень вкусным и мы длинного времени разговаривали. Мой друг работает как дальнобойшиком. Она меня заходит в любое время она в городе.

Today I had lunch with a friend. Lunch was very tasty and we talked a long time. My friend works as a long distance truck driver. She drops in
whenever she’s in town.

Я бы хотел соединю с дискуссей на ветку про глаголы, но моё написание ещё слишком проким. Все будут выкликнут...ха ха. Я должен
допустить, что несколько возражения чём я пишу мне казалось необычным. Я использаваю много слов, которые я прочитаю. Я прочитаю веши, которые не старым. Я не знаю...это загадка.

I would like to join in the discussion on the thread about verbs, but my way of writing is still too poor. Everyone would cry out…haha. I have to admit that some objections to what I write seemed unusual. I use many words which I read. I read things which aren’t old. I don’t know…it’s a puzzle.

Лена, который слово вы предпочитаете использованием для английского «more»: «больше» или «более»? Я думаю, что тоже я бы хотел использовать больше предлогы с моими предложениями. Пожалуйста, мне обьясните перевод к английскему: «....но то, что....» и «....за то, что....». Можете их использовать с предложениями?

Lena, which word do you prefer with the use for English “more”: “больше” or “более”? I think that also I would like to use more prepositions
with my sentences. Please explain to me the translation to English: “….но то, что...” and “....за то, что....”. May you use them with sentences?