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My "Y" from Yekaterinburg is very intelligent and speaks basic English (self-taught) with only occasional references to a dictionary.  We've communicated via e-mail and phone for a year and met in Moscow, but I still have a small question.

What does "native" mean?

In talking to me and about me, Y uses the word "native" in various contexts, especially about my "native voice", or sometimes other expressions.   However, I can't figure out what she's really trying to say.  I just can't think of a substitute word to explain what she wants to get across.  

Any thoughts from any old hands with an idea will be appreciated. - Burt

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

As pointed out, sometimes the words don't translate well or have different meanings.

I found out the hard way concerning one word.  Here in USA we interchangeably use the words climax and orgasm.  But one of the physician ladies I was with told me that in Russia, climax means the stage in a womans life when she starts menopause.

So if you are wondering if the lady had one, be sure to use the O word, or she could get a little POed thinking you are aging her considerably.

JR

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

I wondered about that myself

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

My guess is somewhere along the line she used a dictionary to translate somthing out of context, and it stuck. Like saying "native language" is ok but "native friends" or "native car" would be confusing. My wife has been writing a few English papers lately and has come up with some really funny ones.

Just point out the mistake, and ask her what word she is trying to translate and post it here. Someone can probably give you a clue as to what she really means.

After a while you will get really adept at finishing sentences for her and reminding her to include those articles :)

-Ken WIlliams

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

http://www.kremenchuk.org/archive/index-en.htm?02-11-10#nomenu

Look at the stop sign.

What is the russian or Ukrainian word for STOP?

... in response to Re: Neat photos from Kremchunke, posted by wsbill on Nov 13, 2002

stop

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

Burt,

Not to be a smart ass here, but why don't you just ask her?  I gotta assume that after a year you must have some serious intentions about the lady.  If you all have questions now, this is the time to ask them, don't ya think?  The language problem is a b_tch - I don't have the total solution - but you all better somehow get connected with the lady beyond your unit or your just getting in line for a great big BOHICA.  

just trying to help,  Bob

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

I can guess in the expression 'native sister' or 'native voice' she probably means 'your own sister' and 'darling, dear voice'. She is mixing this word becuase she knows the expression 'native language' or native speaker. In Russian it is one and the same word 'rodnoy'. :-)

Anastassia
www.translation.wasem.net

... in response to Re: So what the heck does "Native&q..., posted by Anastassia on Nov 13, 2002

One of the girls that I knew fairly well in Russia sometimes talked about her sisters. But I knew her parents and she is an only child. But someone tried to explain about "nyerodnaya syestra". I think that this means a cousin? Or is it a term for half sister or step sister? Or all of the above? A little clarification would be helpful.

... in response to Quick language question., posted by Zink on Nov 13, 2002

Here is how it should be translated:

"nyerodnaya syestra" - step sister or maybe half sister

"dvojurodnaya syestra" - cousin (she)

"dvojurodny brat" - cousin (he)

"stop" - stop

"muka" - baking flour

Anastassia

... in response to Here are some answers :-), posted by Anastassia on Nov 13, 2002

But maybe the word Bill needs for "stop" is "õâàòèòü"(I don't want to try and transliterate it into english). I got told that once. It didn't work well because I didn't know what it meant. Another language lesson I won't forget.

... in response to Quick language question., posted by Zink on Nov 13, 2002

I also found the ladies spoke of their cousins as sisters and brothers.  A couple noted to me right away they knew these weren't siblings in the American sense, but that was how they generally referred to them.

... in response to Quick language question., posted by Zink on Nov 13, 2002

Zink,
When Lena first came here she refered to her cousins as her "brothers".  I don't think there is a Russian word for "cousin", and one word fits both meanings.  Like there is no difference in the Russian word for "fingers" or "toes".
KenC

... in response to Re: Quick language question., posted by KenC on Nov 13, 2002

Sounds about right. There is a Russian word "koozyen" for cousin. But it didn't seem to be commonly used. I've had some fun finding words in the dictionary. My girlfriend was trying to tell me the word for "flour-moohka" and she found "torment". Same spelling different accent in Russian. She couldn't understand why I was laughing at her for cooking with torment.

... in response to Re: Re: Quick language question., posted by Zink on Nov 13, 2002

my ex-wife used to cook with torment....

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Quick language question., posted by robobond on Nov 13, 2002

Was it you or her that was tormented most by the cooking?

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Quick language question., posted by Zink on Nov 13, 2002

Me.  She seemed to be on cloud nine watching me suffer! Perhaps "torment" is not the best word, but it's close, as one of its synonyms is "torture".  After some refelection I think other words might be more suitable than "torment".  "Vengeance", "spite", "sadistic tendancies", "homicidal flare" come to mind.  I really think she was trying to kill me.

You wonder why I am "shopping" in Russia?

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

ggg

... in response to So what the heck does "Native"..., posted by Burt on Nov 12, 2002

"native voice", I guess that would be your natural accent.