Overview
This lecture introduces the basics of learning Russian, emphasizing personal goals, time commitment, use of a notebook, and the importance of learning the Cyrillic alphabet and basic words.
Getting Started with Russian
- Define your personal goal for learning Russian (e.g., exam, travel, communication) to guide your study focus.
- Allocate regular study time and dedication; fluency is influenced by multiple personal factors.
- Have a notebook or paper and pen ready for writing practice, as writing by hand improves memory.
- Participation and speaking out loud are encouraged throughout the course.
The Russian Alphabet (Cyrillic)
- The Russian alphabet (Cyrillic) contains 33 letters, some new for Latin alphabet users.
- Once you learn the letters, reading Russian is straightforward because each letter usually corresponds to one sound.
- Practice repeating and writing each letter; learn them in the context of common words.
- Group letters by familiarity: those similar to Latin letters, those that look similar but sound different, and unique Cyrillic letters.
- Use creative associations (like a snake for S or a roaring animal for R) to remember confusing letters.
Basic Russian Words and Practice
- Start reading and writing simple words immediately: e.g., МАМА (mom), ПАПА (dad), КОТ (cat), НЕТ (no), ДА (yes), МОСКВА (Moscow).
- Many international words (e.g., пицца - pizza, бургер - burger) are used in Russian.
- Practice writing words you know or like using Russian letters for frequent exposure.
Simple Sentences and Grammar
- Use the construction "ЭТО [object]" ("This is [object]") to name things around you, regardless of gender or object type.
- Example sentences: "ЭТО окно" (This is a window), "ЭТО компьютер" (This is a computer), "ЭТО мама" (This is mom).
- Practice combining greetings with objects or people: e.g., "Привет, Лондон!" (Hi London!).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Cyrillic Alphabet — the 33-letter script used for Russian.
- Привет (Privet) — means "hi" (informal greeting).
- ЭТО (Etta) — means "this is" for identifying objects.
- ДА (Da) — means "yes".
- НЕТ (Nyet) — means "no".
Action Items / Next Steps
- Write down your personal goal for learning Russian.
- Find and use a notebook or paper for Russian writing practice.
- Spend a week intensively learning and writing all 33 Cyrillic letters.
- Practice reading and writing simple Russian words daily.
- Use the "ЭТО [object]" construction to label objects around you out loud.
- Use Google Translate to check pronunciation and writing of new words as needed.