Thread: New Russian-English books in ParallelBook format

Originally Posted by Helenej

I wouldn’t advise anyone to learn Russian reading "Snow storm", unless your level is proficient. I can see so many obsolete words and expressions here, let alone the grammar forms.
Достопамятную, во всей округе, по пяти копеек, прочили, предмет, избранный ею, в отпуску, само по себе разумеется, равною страстию, склонность, нежели, всякий день, видались, сперва, весьма, романическому, предаться ему, несколько времени.

I have highlighted words and phrases that are perfectly normal in modern Russian.

Originally Posted by Inego

I have highlighted words and phrases that are perfectly normal in modern Russian.

I agree with you on the fact that all the highlighted words are understandable to any Russian person.

Yet I am trying to imagine who could say them without, maybe, that ironic meaning.

во всей округе - maybe some older people who live in the country only. Others would say вокруг, поблизости, по соседству, недалеко, во всем районе.

склонность - no one in this meaning. Симпатия, любовь, привязанность.

нежели - no one. Чем.

видались - Hmm. Maybe in the negation like мы давно не видались. Still my daughters would never say that. Не виделись.

сперва - maybe, though it sounds oldish. Сначала, в первую очередь, для начала.

весьма - never and no one. Очень, в значительной степени.


Though, as I said, all these words may be used to make people smile, with irony.

Mr. Crocodile has recently been quoting professor Preobrazhenskiy's words "В топку ее, немедленно." I'm not that resolute. Let Pushkin's story live, but not on this site.

Originally Posted by Helenej

I agree with you on the fact that all the highlighted words are understandable to any Russian person.

Yet I am trying to imagine who could say them without, maybe, that ironic meaning.

во всей округе - maybe some older people who live in the country only. Others would say вокруг, поблизости, по соседству, недалеко, во всем районе.

склонность - no one in this meaning. Симпатия, любовь, привязанность.

нежели - no one. Чем.

видались - Hmm. Maybe in the negation like мы давно не видались. Still my daughters would never say that. Не виделись.

сперва - maybe, though it sounds oldish. Сначала, в первую очередь, для начала.

весьма - never and noone. Очень, в значительной степени.


Though, as I said, all these words may be used to make people smile, with irony.

Mr. Crocodile has recently been quoting professor Preobrazhenskiy's words "В топку ее, немедленно." I'm not that resolute. Let Pushkin's story live, but not on this site.

While at the task of learning Russian, I would definitely rather read something in contemporary language. Unfortunately, I'd probably read completely through something like that and not even know it's not current. Then in turn I'd use the words, and people would look at me like I had two heads...lol

Originally Posted by kgcole

While at the task of learning Russian, I would definitely rather read something in contemporary language. Unfortunately, I'd probably read completely through something like that and not even know it's not current. Then in turn I'd use the words, and people would look at me like I had two heads...lol

Not at all! They will be very surprised that you use so advanced Russian, because it only shows how serious the books you read are.
When sometimes (rarely) I listen or read "literary" Russian from foreigners I can't help admiring them, for they speak (culturally) better Russian than most of our Russian population do.

Originally Posted by Inego

Not at all! They will be very surprised that you use so advanced Russian, because it only shows how serious the books you read are.
When sometimes (rarely) I listen or read "literary" Russian from foreigners I can't help admiring them, for they speak (culturally) better Russian than most of our Russian population do.

Sounds like I'll have to have a dual personality. One for speaking in general, and one for learned speech making...lol

"Ward No. 6", a depressive, yet very strong and thought-provoking story by Anton Chekhov, was released today in ParallelBook format.
This story was used as an example in a Youtube video showing the three reading modes of Aglona Reader: Normal, Alternating and Advanced.