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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #16  
Old 13 Feb 2012
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Russian Course.

I think the Michel Thomas CD one is a very good and rapid way of getting started with spoken Russian. It is satisfying right from the start as, within 15 minutes you are will be asking and telling if a building is a station or a theatre and if they are (or are not) far away. Within half an hour you are shopping for tickets and souvenirs, ordering tea or coffee - all in the present tense. Use of the future 'I will..' follows.
I've not really followed it much beyond that as I have other methods 'indoors'
Best done in regular 10-15 minute chunks.

Not very moto orientated, but certainly satisfyingly fast and the girl tutor sounds awesome!

Don't get the 2 disc Introduction Course as it is repeated on the 8 CD/hour Foundation Course.
On UK Ebay at about half the regular shop price.
Transfer them to i-Pod, Mini-Disc or Cassette for train journeys!

Last time a similar thread came up Chris Scott said he also preferred it - What an endorsement. That is a guy who knows a thing or two about travel and communicating!
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  #17  
Old 13 Feb 2012
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Yes, I second that.

I've not tried the Russian one, but the Spanish and French ones are very good starters for learning quickly.

The only problem is he has a voice like having melted chocolate wrapped in silk poured into your ear and it makes me want to sleep!

Birdy
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  #18  
Old 13 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdy View Post
The only problem is he has a voice like having melted chocolate wrapped in silk poured into your ear and it makes me want to sleep!
The Russian course, like other non western European languages, is "Michel Thomas Method". They were made after he died but the same format.

The girl who does it, Natasha Bershadski, has a voice that does no way makes me want to go to sleep - but certainly go to bed

But with my luck she would turn out to look like Mrs Nikita Khrushchev
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  #19  
Old 14 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
I think the Michel Thomas CD one is a very good and rapid way of getting started with spoken Russian. It is satisfying right from the start as, within 15 minutes you are will be asking and telling if a building is a station or a theatre and if they are (or are not) far away.
'Vokzal' for station is one of the handful of Russian words I haven't forgotten in the 12 years since I briefly studied it, mainly because of the story about it coming from Vauxhall station in London. Likewise 'Karandash' for pencil, and the link to Caran d'Ache, although my teacher claimed the Russian word came from the Swiss brand name, while Wikipedia suggests the opposite.

Sadly very little else stuck.
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  #20  
Old 14 Feb 2012
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I have came across the Michel Thomas languages but never knew about the Russian. Michel Thomas book is interesting as he came from Ludz in Poland then tied to escape and was captured twice and escaped.
All the best folks.
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  #21  
Old 14 Feb 2012
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Originally Posted by geofergo View Post
I have came across the Michel Thomas languages but never knew about the Russian. Michel Thomas book is interesting as he came from Ludz in Poland then tied to escape and was captured twice and escaped.
All the best folks.
Yes, he appears to have had a varied past, having been a PoW or domestic prisoner under occupying forces during WWII, and later language tutor to Royalty, Stars etc.

From memory he did French, Spanish, Italian and German courses himself.
After he died a few years ago Rights to his works and name were acquired by Hodder & Stoughton (I think it was) who used the name to issue new courses in the same format and method in Russian, Arabic, and Mandarin Chinese - possibly others.
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  #22  
Old 14 Feb 2012
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Has everyone seen our beginnings to a useful technical / travel translation table? 6-8 languages now and I have more to add!

Translation Table and Glossary for Motorcycle Terms | Horizons Unlimited

Any additions / corrections appreciated!
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www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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  #23  
Old 15 Feb 2012
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I am new to the Hubb and havent seen anything. I have all the DVDs and would love a DVD on all the motorcycle phrases a person may need or a person or people, giving phrases. I am not very computer literet so a DVD would be simple for me. I looked at the site and saw all the words for various parts of the bike but I need the sound.
Horizons unlimited, I notice even our blethers, (talks) go into the horizons.
Thanks vey much, you are all a benifit to me.
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  #24  
Old 22 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lindalucky123 View Post
our english is a international language,most people know some knowledge about it.
Have to disent on that.
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