Thread: Looking for language exchange

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!
No, I hate cooking, to be honest. It’s a waste of time for me. But I have to.

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 have two daughters. They are 22 and 23. They live with me. The elder one works as an editor and journalist for a TV channel. The younger one is completing her education in economics at a university.

I don't think you will be able to find any faults on this. It's too short and simple for that.

Originally Posted by Helenej

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!
No, I hate cooking, to be honest. It’s a waste of time for me. But I have to.

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 have two daughters. They are 22 and 23. They live with me. The elder one works as an editor and journalist for a TV channel. The younger one is completing her education in economics at a university.

I don't think you will be able to find any faults on this. It's too short and simple for that.

Nope...no corrections on that one! lol

Originally Posted by kgcole

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?

The noun which is the subject of a sentence should only be put in the nominative. I think there are no exceptions. I'm sure there are no exceptions. We detect the subject by the nominative case.

Which word do you prefer with the use for English “more”: “больше” or “более”?

Only более is used to form the superlative of adjectives and adverbs. Он более грамотный, чем его сестра.

In the meaning of “in bigger amount” or “to a bigger extent” we use both, более being more bookish. (What is the synonym to bookish?) I hardly ever use более in this meaning. Добавь больше муки в тесто.

Please explain to me the translation to English “....за то, что....”.
I respect him for telling the truth in any situation. Я уважаю его за то, что он всегда говорит правду.

Here you use a simple sentence with the gerund as an object. There is no verbal form in Russian similar to the English gerund. To render its meaning we can use nouns, other verbals or clauses. “он всегда говорит правду” is an object clause. It is introdused to the main clause ending with the demonstrative pronoun “то” by the conjunction "что".

It's similar to "for the fact that he tells the truth in any situation" where "the fact that" conveys the Russian "то, что ...".
You can also replace the word "fact" with anything that suits best, like "feature" or something like that, at the same time conveying the same sense.

Please explain to me the translation to English: “….но то, что...”.
Но то, что он тебя обманул, вызывает мое негодование.
But his having deceived you causes my indignation.
Very much the same. I’m not sure if you need any comments on this.
And Eugene is right, it can be put like “Но тот факт, что он тебя обманул, вызывает негодование.”
Though it is not so compact, and, for me, sounds a bit bookish. If I were to speak with my daughter I’d go with “Но то, что он тебя обманул”.

Originally Posted by Helenej

The noun which is the subject of a sentence should only be put in the nominative. I think there are no exceptions. I'm sure there are no exceptions. We detect the subject by the nominative case.

Good...that solves that problem for me

Originally Posted by Eugene-p

It's similar to "for the fact that he tells the truth in any situation" where "the fact that" conveys the Russian "то, что ...".
You can also replace the word "fact" with anything that suits best, like "feature" or something like that, at the same time conveying the same sense.

This is how I've always thought of it in translation. Though I don't generally like to introduce new words in translation that aren't present in the original version. I think in that case it doesn't take one from the meaning.

Originally Posted by Helenej

Which word do you prefer with the use for English “more”: “больше” or “более”?

Only более is used to form the superlative of adjectives and adverbs. Он более грамотный, чем его сестра.

In the meaning of “in bigger amount” or “to a bigger extent” we use both, более being more bookish. (What is the synonym to bookish?) I hardly ever use более in this meaning. Добавь больше муки в тесто.

A synonym for bookish would be "erudite". It's not a word one often hears spoken, though; however, when I was young and in school I was taught by a teacher that valued a rich and comprehensive vocabulary, and passed it on to her students. So that comes easily to my mind. Does anyone else think of another word that would convey the meaning?

kgcole

Though I don't generally like to introduce new words in translation that aren't present in the original version.

I don't think translating word by word is a good idea. In your studies you will definitely come across a hell of a lot of things that don't allow this kind of translation. You had better get prepared to it now.

Originally Posted by Eugene-p

kgcole

I don't think translating word by word is a good idea. In your studies you will definitely come across a hell of a lot of things that don't allow this kind of translation. You had better get prepared to it now.

I understand what you mean, Eugene. I guess I've just run into translation that I've read that change the meaning or intent by introducing new ideas, so I'm judicious about how I do it myself. But you know what they say: "Never say never"...lol

Сегодня я с другом я обедал. (Сегодня я обедал со своим другом) Обед был очень вкусным(,) и мы длинного времени (мы долго) разговаривали. Мой друг работает как (как is not needed) дальнобойшиком (дальнобойщиком). Она меня заходит (она заходит ко мне) в любое время она в городе (каждый раз, когда бывает в городе). A woman works as a long distance truck driver?

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 (хотел бы, it’s more neutral) соединю с дискуссей (присоединиться к дискуссии) на ветку (на ветке) про глаголы, но моё написание ещё слишком проким (но я еще слишком плохо пишу). Все будут выкликнут (все воскликнут)...ха ха. Я должен допустить (признать), что несколько возражения (некоторые возражения) (по поводу того), о чём я пишу(,) мне казалось необычным (показались мне необычными). Я использаваю (использую) много слов, которые я прочитаю (читаю). Я прочитаю (читаю) веши, которые не старым (современные вещи) (Я читаю современные вещи). 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 (какое) слово вы предпочитаете использованием (использовать) для английского «more»: «больше» или «более»? Я думаю (наверное), что (should be omitted) я тоже (также, тоже=также, but также has the additional meaning of besides) бы хотел (хотел бы) использовать больше предлогы (предлогов) с моими предложениями (в моих предложениях). Пожалуйста, мне обьясните (объясните мне) перевод к английскему (на английский): «....но то, что....» и «....за то, что....». Можете их использовать с предложениями? I didn’t understand the last sentence, why “may you use”?

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?

Ха ха....да, правда, что мой друг женского и работает дальнобойщиком. Разве это удивительным? Она очень любит это и была работала с тех пор к неё семьнадцать лет. Вообше-то в США есть шансов того, что кто-нибудь сделать какая-нибудь работу. Возможно из-за кризисы, а ешё она её работы любит.

Ha ha…yes, it’s true that my friend is feminine and works as a long-distance truck driver. Is it really surprising? She loves it a great deal and has worked from the time she was seventeen. Generally in the USA there are chances for anyone to do any kind of work. Possibly because of the crisis, but still she loves her work.

Скажите, вы порекомендуете какая-нибудь книгу, которая вы полюбили прочитать? По-вашему, какой они отличат английский писатели и русский? У вас есть какое-нибудь мнение? Пока читая, я думаю много об стиль и способностей автора. Я сам себе спросить: автор ли моё внимание схватит? Итак вы подумаете они отличат женский и мужской писатели?

Tell me, do you recommend any book which you loved to read. In your opinion, how do English and Russian writer differ? Do you have any opinion? While I read, I think a lot about style and abilities of the author. I ask myself: does the author grasp my attention? So do you think male and female writers differ?

Сегодня ночь мы поужинаем на гамбургер. Всегда на пятнице мы поготоваем гамбургер После ужина я буду смотрю на DVD и пишу и-майлы. DVD на котором я буду смотреть: Хроника. «Скоро после три подростоков споткнутся на неопознанное вещество, их начнут мощи выставлять дальше чем их бурных мечт.»

Tonight we dine on hamburger. Always on Friday we prepare hamburger After dinner I will watch a DV and write email. The DVD which I will watch: Chronicle. “Soon after three teens stumble upon an unknown substance, they begin to exhibit powers beyond their wildest dreams.”

I’m curious to see how you translate that last passage. My translation is so “word for word”, but I couldn’t think of any other way to express it. It’s good practice though. Tomorrow is the weekend for me. I’m getting rather sleepy now, so I guess I’ll hit the sack (if you’re not familiar with that phrase, it means go to bed). Hope you’re enjoying your Saturday!

I read through your last passage over on the thread about learning one's own way, Helene. You really only made two mistakes in the whole thing. I'll jot them down here so you can see them:

But he wants to start with the most essential things for him (himself).

Mind also that English sounds in all kinds of the media in Russia, it’s in songs, movies, it’s popular. Here it’s kind of prestige to know English. (Mind also that English appears in all kinds of media in Russia. It’s in songs, and movies. It’s popular. Here it’s kind of prestige to know English)

Originally Posted by kgcole

A synonym for bookish would be "erudite". It's not a word one often hears spoken, though; however, when I was young and in school I was taught by a teacher that valued a rich and comprehensive vocabulary, and passed it on to her students. So that comes easily to my mind. Does anyone else think of another word that would convey the meaning?

Possibly, "highbrow". I’m not a native speaker though.

Originally Posted by diogen_

Possibly, "highbrow". I’m not a native speaker though.

Thanks for the input diogen_....I dunno, I don't think "highbrow" really works in this context. I'd still stick with "erudite", Helene, or just "intelligent". Wait a minute.....ABBY listed "well-read". That's a possibility.

Да, правда (это правда, “правда” without “это” goes when it’s a parenthetical word only like in Я, правда, приболела немного), что мой друг женского (женщина) и (она) работает дальнобойщиком. Разве это удивительным (удивительно, adverb)? Она очень любит это (ей это очень нравится) и была работала с тех пор к неё семьнадцать лет (и она работает дальнобойщиком с семнадцати лет). Вообше-то в США есть шансов того, что кто-нибудь сделать какая-нибудь работу. (Вообще-то в США каждый может найти ту работу, которая ему нравится). Возможно (может быть) из-за кризисы (кризиса, genitive), а ешё (но тем не менее) она её работы любит (она любит свою работу).

Yes, it’s true that my friend is feminine and works as a long-distance truck driver. Is it really surprising? She loves it a great deal and has worked from the time she was seventeen. Generally in the USA there are chances for anyone to do any kind of work. Possibly because of the crisis, but still she loves her work.

Скажите (it’s excessive, you either ask me to tell or to recomend), вы порекомендуете (вы можете порекомендовать мне) какая-нибудь (какую-нибудь) книгу, которая вы полюбили прочитать (которая вам нравится)? По-вашему (Как, по-вашему), какой они отличат (чем отличаются) английский писатели и русский (английские и русские писатели)? У вас есть какое-нибудь мнение (add по этому поводу)? Пока читая (когда я читаю), я думаю много (я много думаю) об стиль (о стиле, we say об if the following word begins with a vowel) и способностей (и таланте) автора. Я сам себе спросить (я спрашиваю себя) : автор ли моё внимание схватит (получается ли у автора привлечь мое внимание)? Итак вы подумаете они отличат женский и мужской писатели? (Итак, вы считаете, что писатели мужчины и женщины чем-то отличаются?)

Tell me, do you recommend any book which you loved to read. In your opinion, how do English and Russian writer differ? Do you have any opinion? While I read, I think a lot about style and abilities of the author. I ask myself: does the author grasp my attention? So do you think male and female writers differ?

Сегодня ночь (Сегодня вечером, ночью means at night) мы поужинаем (ужинаем) на гамбургер (гамбургерами, without “на”). Всегда на пятнице мы поготоваем гамбургер. (Мы всегда по пятницам готовим гамбургеры). После ужина я буду смотрю на DVD (буду смотреть DVD) и пишу (писать) и-майлы (и-мейлы). DVD(,) на котором (который, without “на”) я буду смотреть: Хроника (я буду смотреть, это Хроника). «Скоро после три подростоков споткнутся на неопознанное вещество, их начнут мощи выставлять дальше чем их бурных мечт.» (Вскоре после того, как трое подростков обнаружили неизвестное вещество, у них появились способности, о которых они не могли даже мечтать. My version is really far from the original)

Tonight we dine on hamburger. Always on Friday we prepare hamburger. After dinner I will watch a DV and write email. The DVD which I will watch: Chronicle. “Soon after three teens stumble upon an unknown substance, they begin to exhibit powers beyond their wildest dreams.”

Originally Posted by kgcole

Thanks for the input diogen_....I dunno, I don't think "highbrow" really works in this context. I'd still stick with "erudite", Helene, or just "intelligent". Wait a minute.....ABBY listed "well-read". That's a possibility.

When I said that a word in a particular context sounds bookish to me I meant that it is not typical of colloquial speech, but rather of literature style. Maybe I should just say, "It sounds like in the literature"? But it's not compact. We say, "Выражение относится к литературному стилю."

Originally Posted by Helenej

When I said that a word in a particular context sounds bookish to me I meant that it is not typical of colloquial speech, but rather of literature style. Maybe I should just say, "It sounds like in the literature"? But it's not compact. We say, "Выражение относится к литературному стилю."

Oh! I'm sorry, I misunderstood what you were saying, Helene. Maybe in that case you can just say, "It sounds literary".