Way to Russia Talk Lounge

msaucy · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:15 am Post subject: Australian Accents in Russian

I am coming over to Russia next year with my boyfriend to do the trans-mongolian rail way. I've been trying to learn Russian before I come from computer software (and this fantastic website), but with no one russian to practice with, I'm not sure what my accent is like.

Just wondering if anyone in Melbourne who speaks russian would like to go have a coffee or something one day...

Otherwise, how many Russians out there have meet Aussies in Russia and if you had, could you understaind their Russian if they spoke any?

Thanks

nikir · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:06 am Post subject:

Anyone who is not Russian born will have an accent so don't worry about it.

I was born in Australia although my parents are Russian so the language was in my life from day 1. When I go there they all say I speak well but have an accent. When my mum goes there they say she has an accent too so she gets the double whammy an accent in Oz and one over there.

As long as you are understood you'll be fine. Expect lots of questions about Australia, its hugely popular.

Rick · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:43 am Post subject:

...And not an easy destination to visit for Russians. Don't worry about your accent. I guess it depends a bit on the region you're visiting how well they will understand you. But in places where more foreigners come they will often appreciate your effort. That's a big advantage you have over visitors that won't speak the language.

msaucy · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:21 am Post subject:

Well, hopefully it will work out, though at the moment I can only currently say 'I want to eat potatoes' (or chicken, rice or meat)... I'll have to hire out more russian films (I only have night watch at home) to try and pick up some more Smile

Thanks guys.

UsualSuspect

msaucy,
I was in much the same boat. I've been told I speak with a Georgian (and badly!) accent. Some words I actually have no accent on.
Don't worry about it, so long as your pronunciation is good you'll be OK. With a little exposure you'll be able to guess what people are talking about by listening for verbs.

Also, you'll hear "tak", "ladna" & "kaneshna" a lot. "tak" is the equivalent of a "so", forgot ladna but it's innocuous, and I think (cursed memory!) kaneshna is "understand" or "ok" as used when you want someone to follow your train of thought.

Hook in and once you get over the first spoken sentence you'll be OK Laughing

Enjoy
Usualsuspect

nikir · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

ladna is more like ok and kaneshna is more like of course, for understand say panemaesh if you want to confirm something is understood or paniatna, to indicate you have understood. The spellings are totally wrong but that's how the words sound. Also that's the informal speech so try and avoid using it with old people. they may think you are disrespectful.
A few basic phrases and you'll get around most things Smile

init6 · Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2006 4:50 pm Post subject:

msaucy, I can pretty much guarantee there is a Russian community in Melbourne, Oz that you can interface with.

I live in Melbourne, Florida and we have one Russian magazin and I took Russian lessons from the owner before I came to Moscow in Summer '05 and will take them again to practice and improve my Russian now that I'm back in Melbourne again.

You just have to prepare yourself to feel incredibly stupid, at which point your language ability will improve. It's amazing how badly we speak a language until we spend time in a country. I thought my Russian was pretty kick-ass until I got on the train from Berlin to Moscow. Shocked