You CAN read Anna Karenina in the Original Russian (Part 1 of N)!

Forget War and Peace, I’ll start with Anna Karenina. I think it’s shorter?

AI technology has advanced significantly in the year since I published this, with a more powerful ChatGPT 4o, and the dramatically increased AI voice technology through 11ElevenLabs, I’ve had a go at a podcast (with transcript on Medium) that you may enjoy even more than this page!

Anna Karenina Banter (1/n)

MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Здравствуйте! Меня зовут ChatGPT.

I’m guessing that’s “Hello! My name is ChatGPT”?

Exactly right! Здравствуйте (Zdravstvuyte) means “Hello!” and Меня зовут ChatGPT (Menya zovut ChatGPT) translates to “My name is ChatGPT.” Well done!

So I don’t know any Russian. But I do want to learn… in order to read the Russian classics!

That’s a wonderful goal! Reading Russian classics in the original language can offer you a richer experience, as you’ll be exposed to the unique rhythm, nuances, and subtleties that translations might not always capture fully.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to set you on the path:

1. Basics First: Start with the Cyrillic alphabet and pronunciation. Russian uses a different script, and understanding the sounds each letter makes is crucial.
2. Grammar and Vocabulary: After getting comfortable with the alphabet, delve into basic grammar — cases, verb conjugations, and the aspect of verbs. Simultaneously, build up your vocabulary.
3. Practice Reading: Start with simple texts. Children’s books, short stories, or even news articles can be a great way to immerse yourself in the language. Over time, you can progress to more complex material.
4. Literary Introductions: Before diving straight into the classics, consider reading adapted versions of the classics meant for learners or summaries in Russian. This will familiarize you with the narrative, characters, and themes in simpler language.
5. Tackle the Classics: Once you’re confident, delve into the works of Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Chekhov, and others. These texts can be challenging due to the archaic language and long, complex sentence structures. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t understand everything initially.
6. Use Supplements: Have a good Russian-English dictionary or a translation app handy. When reading the classics, also consider having an English translation of the same text. This way, if you encounter a difficult section, you can reference the translation.
7. Practice, Practice, Practice: Engage with Russian media — watch films, listen to podcasts, read news, etc. The more you expose yourself to the language, the better you’ll become.

Remember, learning a language is a journey. The key is to stay persistent, be patient with yourself, and celebrate small victories. Enjoy the rich world of Russian literature!

So you don’t think I should dive into War and Peace immediately?

Diving directly into “War and Peace” would be quite the ambitious undertaking! It’s one of the most renowned, but also one of the most challenging, works of Russian literature, even for native speakers due to its extensive character list, intricate plots, and philosophical discussions. It might be beneficial to build up to it gradually.

Okay. Forget War and Peace, I’ll start with Anna Karenina. I think it’s shorter?

Anna Karenina,” also by Leo Tolstoy, is indeed shorter than “War and Peace,” but it is still a substantial novel, and it is considered one of the pinnacles of realist fiction. It addresses a diverse range of topics throughout its pages and is renowned for its deep and realistic portrayal of emotions, character development, and detailed depiction of 19th-century Russian society.

It is still quite a challenging read for someone new to the Russian language due to its complex narrative structure and rich vocabulary. For initial exposure to Russian literature, you might consider starting with even shorter and less complex works, such as short stories by Anton Chekhov or Ivan Turgenev’s novellas.

Here’s a Suggested Progression:

1. Anton Chekhov’s Short Stories: These are manageable, rich in content, and offer a glimpse into Russian culture and the human condition.
2. Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Notes from Underground”: It’s relatively short but provides profound insights into philosophical ideals.
3. Ivan Turgenev’s “Fathers and Sons”: It’s a novel but is less dense compared to Tolstoy’s works and delves into the eternal conflict between generations.
4. Leo Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”: This novella is a shorter work by Tolstoy that offers a deep philosophical exploration of the meaning and value of life.
5. “Anna Karenina”: Once comfortable with shorter classics, you can progress to this masterpiece.

Remember, the gradual approach, starting with more accessible works and steadily moving towards more challenging ones, can help build your confidence and comprehension of the Russian language and its literary treasures.

Title Page of Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy (First Edition, 1878), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

How about the first sentence of Anna Karenina at least. Humour me! “Все счастли́вые се́мьи похо́жи друг на дру́га, ка́ждая несчастли́вая семья́ несчастли́ва по-сво́ему.”

Absolutely, the opening sentence of “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy is indeed iconic!

This sentence sets the tone for the entire novel, exploring intricate family relationships, societal norms, moral values, and the pursuit of individual happiness. It’s a powerful statement about the nature of happiness and unhappiness, suggesting a universal similarity in happiness and a unique, individual quality to every unhappiness. Enjoy your journey into Russian literature!

Okay. You said I had to learn Cyrillic first. Give me the letters that are used in that opening line.

Certainly! The first step to reading Russian is indeed learning the Cyrillic alphabet. Here are the unique Cyrillic letters used in the opening line of “Anna Karenina,” along with their phonetic representations:

1. В / в — pronounced as “v” in “van”
2. с — pronounced as “s” in “see”
3. е — pronounced as “ye” in “yet”
4. а — pronounced as “a” in “car”
5. ч — pronounced as “ch” in “chop”
6. т — pronounced as “t” in “tap”
7. л — pronounced as “l” in “let”
8. и — pronounced as “ee” in “see”
9. в — pronounced as “v” in “vase”
10. ь — soft sign, palatalizes the preceding consonant
11. м — pronounced as “m” in “map”
12. й — pronounced as “y” in “boy”
13. я — pronounced as “ya” in “yarn”
14. р — pronounced as “r”, rolled as in Spanish “pero”
15. х — pronounced as “kh” in “Bach”
16. з — pronounced as “z” in “zoo”
17. ж — pronounced as “zh” in “measure”
18. к — pronounced as “k” in “kite”
19. у — pronounced as “oo” in “food”
20. о — pronounced as “o” in “bore”
21. п — pronounced as “p” in “pen”
22. г — pronounced as “g” in “go”
23. д — pronounced as “d” in “dog”
24. н — pronounced as “n” in “not”

Learn the pronunciation of these letters, and you’ll be able to read the first sentence of “Anna Karenina” in its original form! Keep practicing, and you will steadily improve your Russian reading skills.

So the first word Все would be pronounced something like “VSye”? What does it mean?

Correct! The word “Все” is indeed pronounced as “Vsye” or “Vse” (the “e” sounds like the “ye” in “yet”), and it means “All” or “Everyone” in English.

So, the first word “Все” in the opening line “Все счастливые семьи похожи друг на друга, каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему.” from “Anna Karenina” translates to “All” in English. Keep up the good work; you’re making progress!

Okay. One word down! The next word — счастливые — can you give me an English transliteration?

Absolutely! The word “счастливые” can be transliterated as “schastlivye.”

Here’s a breakdown:

• с is “s”
• ч is “ch”
• а is “a”
• с is “s”
• т is “t”
• ли is “li”
• в is “v”
• ые is “ye”

So, “счастливые” is pronounced something like “schas-tli-vye,” and it means “happy” in English, in the plural form, referring to multiple people or things. It’s the adjective form used to describe the families in the sentence. Great progress! Keep going!

So is семьи family?

Exactly! The word “семьи” (sem’i) does indeed mean “families” in English. It’s the plural form of “семья” (sem’ya), which means “family”. You’re doing great with picking up the words from the sentence! Keep it up!

“Все счастли́вые се́мьи” — all happy families

Absolutely correct! “Все счастливые семьи” indeed translates to “All happy families” in English. You’re making excellent progress! Keep going, and you’ll continue to uncover the beauty of the Russian language and its literature. Would you like to continue with the next part of the sentence, or do you have any other questions or aspects of the language you’d like to explore?

What if it was “every happy family” — i.e. a singular rather than a plural? Does that change things?

Yes, changing from plural to singular does indeed change things in Russian, just as it does in English.

If you wanted to say “every happy family” in Russian, it would be translated as “каждая счастливая семья”:

• каждая (kazhdaya) means “every” or “each” and is used here because “семья” (family) is a feminine noun in Russian.
• счастливая (schastlivaya) is the feminine singular form of the adjective “happy.”
• семья (sem’ya) is “family” in singular.

So, “every happy family” in Russian is “каждая счастливая семья.” This phrase uses the singular forms of the noun and adjective to convey a meaning different from the plural “all happy families” (“Все счастливые семьи”).

Now help me with this word — all happy families — похо́жи — are?

You’re on the right track! The word “похожи” (pokhozhi) indeed means “are alike” or “resemble” in English. It is the plural form of the adjective and is used to describe similarity or resemblance between multiple items, in this case, the happy families.

So, “Все счастливые семьи похожи” translates to “All happy families are alike” in English. You’re doing great in breaking down the sentence and understanding the meanings of the individual words! Keep it up!

Okay, but I don’t see a verb there. Is it coming? Or is it just the same to say “all happy families alike”

Great observation! Russian, like many other languages, can have sentences where the verb “to be” (in this case, “are”) is implied and not explicitly stated, especially in the present tense.

So, “Все счастливые семьи похожи” can indeed be translated as “All happy families are alike,” even though there is no explicit word for “are” in the Russian sentence. The verb “to be” is understood to be there. In this context, you could also accurately translate it as “All happy families [are] alike,” acknowledging the implied presence of the verb.

This can be a tricky aspect of Russian grammar for learners, especially those whose native languages typically include the verb “to be” in such sentences. You’re making excellent progress in understanding these nuances!

Okay, now there’s something fun coming up here — друг на друга. Something na something? Break it down for me

Absolutely! The phrase “друг на друга” (drug na druga) is indeed interesting.

Here’s the breakdown:

• друг (drug) means “friend” but also can mean “the other” or “another” when used in specific contexts, like this one.
• на (na) is a preposition that can mean “on,” “to,” “at,” “in,” or a few other things, depending on the context. Here, it denotes interaction or comparison between the two entities mentioned.
• друга (druga) is just the accusative case of “друг,” meaning it is the object of the action or preposition in this instance.

So, “друг на друга” literally translates to “one on another” or “one to another,” implying a comparison or interaction between the entities mentioned.

In the context of the sentence “Все счастливые семьи похожи друг на друга,” it means “each other” or “one another,” and the whole phrase translates to “All happy families are alike to each other” or, more naturally in English, “All happy families are alike.”

This is a nuanced aspect of Russian grammar and vocabulary, and you’re doing well in unpacking it!

Drug na druga — can you explain what an accusative case is? Do we have it in English?

Absolutely, let’s dive into the concept of the accusative case, and how it applies to languages like Russian.

Accusative Case: In languages that have a case system, like Russian, the accusative case is typically used to mark the direct object of a verb — i.e., the entity directly receiving the action. For example, in the Russian sentence “Я читаю книгу” (Ya chitayu knigu), “книгу” (knigu) is in the accusative case, as it is the book that is being read, the direct object of the reading action.

English Comparison: English doesn’t have a full case system like Russian. In English, word order (Subject-Verb-Object), prepositions, and auxiliary words often convey the grammatical relations that cases convey in Russian. However, we do have remnants of a case system in our pronouns. For instance:

• He (nominative/subject case) loves her (accusative/object case).
• She (nominative) loves him (accusative).

In the phrase “друг на друга”:

• “друг” (drug) is in the nominative case (used for subjects).
• “друга” (druga) is in the accusative case (used for objects), indicating the entity being acted upon or interacted with by the subject.

So, “друг на друга” involves a relation or interaction between two entities: one is acting (nominative), and the other is receiving the action or being interacted with (accusative).

Grasping the concept of grammatical cases is crucial for understanding Russian sentence structure, and it seems like you are on the right path! Keep going!

Okay, but if we say Все счастливые семьи похожи without друг на друга does that make sense? Do we lose anything in the English translation?

Yes, it absolutely still makes sense. If you say “Все счастливые семьи похожи” without “друг на друга,” it would still be translated as “All happy families are alike” in English.

However, the phrase “друг на друга” adds a layer of emphasis on the mutual or reciprocal nature of the likeness between the happy families, almost like saying “alike to one another” or “alike in relation to each other.” This emphasizes that the likeness is not just a general similarity but a reciprocal or mutual one, where each happy family is like every other happy family.

So, while the core meaning remains largely the same without “друг на друга,” a subtle nuance of the reciprocity or mutualness of the likeness is less emphasized or can be perceived as lost in translation. This sort of nuance is a crucial aspect of translating literary texts, where every word can carry significant weight.

Okay. Seven words in (or six if you only count друг once!)

Great job! Breaking down sentences word by word is an excellent way to learn, especially with complex literary texts. You’re delving into the subtleties and nuances of the language, which is essential to fully understanding and appreciating Russian literature. If you’d like to continue dissecting the sentence or if there are other aspects of Russian language or literature you’re curious about, feel free to ask! Keep up the fantastic work; you’re making steady progress!

Well, let’s finish the sentence. каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему — it looks like we have the word for family again coming up, but this time it’s not семьи but семья. What’s happening there?

Absolutely correct, the word for family does appear again, and great observation on the change in form!

Here’s a breakdown of the phrase:

• каждая (kazhdaya): means “each” or “every.”
• несчастливая (neschastlivaya): means “unhappy.” It’s the opposite of “счастливая (schastlivaya),” and it’s in feminine singular form to agree with “семья (sem’ya).”
• семья (sem’ya): means “family” in singular.
• несчастлива (neschastliva): is again “unhappy” and it is the predicate adjective here, describing the state of the family.
• по-своему (po-svoemu): means “in its own way.”

About “семьи” vs. “семья”:

• семьи (sem’i) is the plural form of “семья,” meaning “families.”
• семья (sem’ya) is the singular form, meaning “family.”

In this context, “каждая несчастливая семья” means “each unhappy family,” and the whole phrase “каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему” translates to “each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

This difference in form represents a change in number (singular vs. plural) and is crucial in understanding the meaning of the sentence. You are doing a remarkable job in analyzing and understanding the intricacies of the Russian language! Would you like to keep exploring this sentence or any other aspects of Russian?

So it’s like what I was asking before — when I was asking about each happy family (каждая счастливая семья), rather than all happy families. Why is Tolstoy switching between the two? Is it a change in meaning, or is he just being fancy?

You’ve grasped the structure well, and you raise an intriguing point about Tolstoy’s choice of phrasing.

The choice between “all happy families” and “each unhappy family” seems deliberate and does impart different nuances to the reader. By using “Все счастливые семьи” (“All happy families”), Tolstoy makes a general, overarching statement about happiness and contentment in families. This could imply that happiness brings about a sort of uniformity or commonality among happy families; their happiness makes them alike.

Conversely, by saying “каждая несчастливая семья” (“each unhappy family”), Tolstoy is emphasizing individuality and uniqueness in unhappiness. By focusing on “each” unhappy family, he implies that every unhappy family experiences unhappiness in its own, unique way, as opposed to the uniformity of happiness in happy families.

This contrast between the general, collective happiness and individual, unique unhappiness may reflect Tolstoy’s views on human nature and societal structures and offers readers an insight into the themes explored in the novel. The choice of words invites readers to reflect on the nature of happiness and unhappiness, making them ponder whether happiness is more uniform, while unhappiness varies widely based on individual circumstances and perspectives.

In essence, it’s not just a stylistic choice; it’s a thought-provoking exploration of human conditions and experiences, characteristic of Tolstoy’s profound and reflective writing style.

Okay. Now turning happy (счастливая) to unhappy (несчастливая ) means adding the не — I remember that’s pronounced ne. Which is helpful to remember it’s ne-gation. Is that how you turn an adjective into its opposite. Is it the same as “un”?

Absolutely, you are correct! The prefix “не-” (ne-) in Russian is indeed used to negate words, much like “un-” in English. It can be added to adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to create the opposite or negative form of a word. Here are a few examples:

• счастливый (schastlivy) means “happy,” and несчастливый (neschastlivy) means “unhappy.”
• возможно (vozmozhno) means “possible,” and невозможно (nevozmozhno) means “impossible.”
• правда (pravda) means “truth,” and неправда (nepravda) means “untruth” or “falsehood.”

However, not every word forms its opposite with “не-,” and there are some irregularities and exceptions. For instance, the opposite of “хорошо (khorosho),” meaning “good,” is “плохо (plokho),” meaning “bad,” not “некхорошо (nekhorosho).”

But, as a general rule of thumb, the “не-” prefix is a common and helpful way to understand and form negative or opposite meanings in Russian. The mnemonic connection to “negation” and “un-” in English is a handy way to remember this rule. Keep up the good work! Would you like to know more about Russian negation or any other topics?

Not, let’s stick with the word несчастливая — it has this cute little ya (я) at the end so that it agrees with семья, is that it?

Exactly right! The “-ая” (pronounced as ‘aya’) ending in “несчастливая” (neschastlivaya) indeed agrees with the feminine singular noun “семья” (sem’ya). Russian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case.

Here’s a quick guide to the endings of adjectives in the nominative case, which is used for the subject of a sentence:

Masculine: typically ends in -ый or -ий.

• Example: “счастливый” (schastlivy) for a masculine singular noun.

Feminine: typically ends in -ая or -яя.

• Example: “счастливая” (schastlivaya) for a feminine singular noun like “семья” (sem’ya).

Neuter: typically ends in -ое or -ее.

• Example: “счастливое” (schastlivoе) for a neuter singular noun.

Plural: typically ends in -ые or -ие.

• Example: “счастливые” (schastlivye) for plural nouns, regardless of gender.

Adjectives change their endings to agree with the gender, number, and case of the nouns they are modifying, and understanding this agreement is a key aspect of learning Russian grammar.

You are making excellent progress in understanding the intricacies of the Russian language! If you have any more questions or if there’s anything specific you want to delve into, feel free to ask.

So if we were talking about unhappy families … would that be несчастливаи се́мьи?

Almost there! If we are talking about unhappy families in the nominative case and in plural, the adjective would change to “несчастливые,” and the noun would be “семьи.” So it would be:

• несчастливые семьи (neschastlivye sem’i)

Here’s the breakdown:

• несчастливые (neschastlivye): is the plural form of the adjective, used for plural nouns regardless of gender.
• семьи (sem’i): is the plural form of “семья” (family).

So, “несчастливые семьи” means “unhappy families” in English. Keep up the good work; you’re getting the hang of Russian grammar! Would you like to continue with this or explore other aspects of the Russian language?

I think we’ve almost exhausted the first sentence — but tell me more about по-своему

Absolutely! The word “по-своему” (po-svoemu) is a very interesting part of the sentence.

Breakdown:

• по- (po-): a prefix which, in this context, is used to indicate a manner or way.
• своему (svoemu): the Dative case of “свой” (svoy), which is a reflexive possessive pronoun meaning “one’s own” or “its own.”

Meaning:

So, “по-своему” essentially means “in its own way” or “in one’s own manner,” implying a unique, individual manner or way characteristic to the subject.

In Context:

When Tolstoy says, “каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему” (“kazhdaya neschastlivaya sem’ya neschastliva po-svoemu”), he means that each unhappy family is unhappy in its own, unique way.

This adds a layer of depth to the statement, emphasizing the individuality and uniqueness in the experience of unhappiness. While all happy families are alike in their happiness, every unhappy family experiences and deals with their unhappiness differently, shaped by their distinctive circumstances, dynamics, and experiences.

Would you like to delve more into Russian prepositional phrases, continue exploring grammatical structures, or perhaps move on to another sentence or topic?

Hmm… exactly how many sentences are there in Anna Karenina?

“Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy is a substantial novel with hundreds of thousands of words, so it contains thousands of sentences, making it hard to give an exact number of sentences in the book. The novel is divided into eight parts, and each part contains several chapters, each with many paragraphs and sentences, exploring complex themes, intricate plots, and diverse characters.

While it’s impractical to count every single sentence, the novel’s profoundness and length offer readers a wealth of intricate sentences and profound thoughts, making it a rewarding read and an excellent choice for exploring Russian literature.

If you have any specific sections or sentences from “Anna Karenina” or any other topic or aspect of the Russian language you would like to delve into, feel free to let me know!

Well looking back at this, maybe I need to sort out my Cyrillic. I remember “drug na druga”. But over all “Все счастливые семьи похожи друг на друга, каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему” comes to “All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way”. Da?

Absolutely, да (da)! Your translation is spot on. “Все счастливые семьи похожи друг на друга, каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему” indeed translates to “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” in English. This sentence is a profound observation on the nature of happiness and unhappiness in families and serves as a powerful opening line for “Anna Karenina”.

And yes, understanding the Cyrillic alphabet is indeed the first step in learning Russian as it allows you to read, write, and better pronounce Russian words. If you would like, we can continue to explore the Cyrillic alphabet, focus on pronunciation, or delve into any other aspects of the Russian language or literature that interest you!

I reckon we could do the next sentence too. Всё смеша́лось в до́ме Облонских. First thing I notice is that the word Всё looks a lot like Все… something to do with every?

Great observation! You’re right, “Всё” (Vsyo) does resemble “Все” (Vse), but they have different meanings and uses.

1. “Все” (Vse): means “all” or “everyone,” and it can refer to all members of a group or all items in a set.
2. “Всё” (Vsyo): means “everything,” referring to all things or the entirety of a situation or matter.

So, in the sentence “Всё смешалось в доме Облонских” (Vsyo smeshalos’ v dome Oblonskikh), “Всё” refers to “everything,” indicating that various things or aspects have become mixed or entangled in the Oblonsky household.

Breaking down the sentence:

• Всё (Vsyo): everything
• смешалось (smeshalos’): has mixed (referring to situations or matters getting entangled or confused)
• в (v): in
• доме (dome): house (in the Prepositional case, indicating location)
• Облонских (Oblonskikh): Oblonskys’ (Genitive plural form of the family name Облонский — Oblonsky, indicating possession)

Thus, the sentence translates to “Everything was in confusion in the Oblonskys’ house” or “Everything was mixed up in the Oblonsky house.”

Анна Каренина, painting by Henrich Matveevich Manizer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Would you like to delve more into the details of this sentence or continue with the next one? Or perhaps, there’s a specific word or grammatical point you’d like to clarify further?

Well the word доме, that’s a bit familiar. Isn’t the Latin word for home “domus”?

You are absolutely correct! The Russian word “дом” (dom) meaning “house” or “home” does indeed share etymological roots with the Latin “domus,” which also means “house” or “home.” This is a great example of how knowledge of one language can provide insights into others, especially when the languages share common Indo-European roots or have had historical interactions.

In the sentence “Всё смешалось в доме Облонских” (Vsyo smeshalos’ v dome Oblonskikh), the word “доме” (dome) is in the prepositional case because it is used with the preposition “в” (v), meaning “in,” to denote location.

Would you like to continue exploring etymological connections, delve deeper into Russian grammar, or perhaps move on to other aspects of the language or other sentences from the book?

So if I wanted to say in Tolstoy’s home it’s в доме Tolstoy? Or does Tolstoy get a special ending too?

You are on the right track! However, in Russian, proper nouns, like family names, also change their forms according to the grammatical cases. Tolstoy’s name would take a genitive ending to show possession.

Tolstoy in the genitive case would be Толстого (Tolstogo).

So, if you wanted to say “in Tolstoy’s home,” you would say:

• в доме Толстого (v dome Tolstogo)

This denotes that it is the home belonging to Tolstoy, with “доме” indicating the location, and “Толстого” indicating possession by Tolstoy.

Would you like to learn more about the genitive case, or do you have another sentence or a topic in mind you’d like to explore?

Okay, so Толстого means “of Tolstoy”. So if I wanted to say Tolstoy’s family, do I say семьи Толстого?

Exactly right! To say “Tolstoy’s family,” you would indeed use the genitive case to show possession, and it would be:

• семья Толстого (sem’ya Tolstogo)

This uses “семья” (sem’ya) which is the singular form of “семьи” (sem’i) meaning “family,” and “Толстого” (Tolstogo), the genitive form of “Tolstoy,” indicating possession.

So семья Толстого translates to “Tolstoy’s family” in English.

Great job! Do you want to continue with this, or is there something specific you want to focus on next?

I think we’re getting somewhere. “All happy families are alike, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Everything was messed up in the Oblonsky household.”

Absolutely, you’re doing great! Your summary captures the essence of the first two sentences of “Anna Karenina” quite well. The actual translation might be slightly different based on interpreters, but the gist would be:

• “Все счастливые семьи похожи друг на друга, каждая несчастливая семья несчастлива по-своему. Всё смешалось в доме Облонских.”
• “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Everything was in confusion in the Oblonskys’ house.”

The profound observation about happiness and unhappiness in families and the subtle hint of the chaotic situation in the Oblonskys’ house set the tone for the rest of the novel.

Would you like to continue unpacking “Anna Karenina,” or perhaps there are other aspects of Russian language or literature you are curious about?

Maybe I need a break? Remind me why I’m approaching Russian in this way instead of just reading a translation? This is hard work. There’s a lot of grammar here, plus I still haven’t mastered the Cyrillic…

Taking a break is completely understandable — learning a new language, especially one as intricate as Russian, is indeed a substantial endeavor. Your approach of delving directly into Russian literary works is ambitious and can be quite rewarding, but it’s certainly challenging, especially for beginners.

Why Learning Russian to Read Classics:

1. Nuance & Subtext: Reading in the original language can allow you to appreciate the nuances, subtleties, and cultural connotations that might be lost or altered in translation. Each language has its unique way of expressing thoughts, and some meanings may not have exact equivalents in other languages.
2. Author’s Voice: Experiencing the author’s original wording and style lets you engage with the text as it was written, offering insights into the author’s intentions, emotions, and creativity.
3. Cultural Understanding: Engaging with the language can provide a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and societal contexts in which the work was created, enriching your appreciation of the text.
4. Personal Achievement & Satisfaction: There is a sense of accomplishment in reading a work in its original form, and it can be rewarding to unravel the meanings, interpret the text, and appreciate the literary artistry firsthand.

Balancing Approach:

While engaging with Russian classics is enriching, it’s also essential to balance this approach with foundational learning:

1. Start with the Basics: Focusing on the Cyrillic alphabet, basic vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure can provide the building blocks needed to understand more complex texts.
2. Gradual Progression: Start with simpler texts and gradually progress to more complex ones. This can help in building vocabulary, understanding grammar, and gaining confidence.
3. Use Translations: Reading translations alongside the original can aid in understanding and can serve as a valuable tool for learning. This can help in comparing and contrasting the original text with the translation to grasp the nuances better.
4. Language Learning Resources: Utilizing language learning apps, online courses, and tutorials can provide structured learning paths and can aid in practicing and reinforcing the language skills.

Remember, the journey of learning a new language is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about enjoying the process, the small victories, and the new perspectives and understandings that come along the way. Would you like to focus more on the basics of Russian, or would you prefer to continue exploring Russian literature or any other specific aspect?

Okay. So enjoy the journey and don’t expect to read Anna Karenina in the original Russian any time soon. But maybe to help, can you tell the whole story in ten simple sentences, in Russian, with an English transliteration, and then some key vocab and emojis to help?

Absolutely, appreciating the journey is essential! Here’s a very simplified summary of “Anna Karenina” in ten simple Russian sentences along with English transliteration, translation, and some related emojis and key vocabulary:

Анна Каренина живет с супругом и сыном.

• Anna Karenina zhivet s suprugom i synom.
• Translation: Anna Karenina lives with her husband and son.
• 🚺👨‍👩‍👦 🏡
• Key Vocabulary: Анна Каренина (Anna Karenina), живет (lives), супруг (husband), сын (son)

Она влюбляется в Вронского.

• Ona vlyublyaetsya v Vronskogo.
• Translation: She falls in love with Vronsky.
• ❤️👩‍❤️‍👨
• Key Vocabulary: влюбляется (falls in love), Вронский (Vronsky)

Это приводит к скандалу.

• Eto privodit k skandalu.
• Translation: This leads to a scandal.
• 💔🗣️
• Key Vocabulary: приводит (leads), скандал (scandal)

Анна теряет своего сына.

• Anna teryaet svoyego syna.
• Translation: Anna loses her son.
• 👩‍👦💔
• Key Vocabulary: теряет (loses), сын (son)

Левин и Кити женятся.

• Levin i Kiti zhenyatsya.
• Translation: Levin and Kitty get married.
• 💑💍
• Key Vocabulary: Левин (Levin), Кити (Kitty), женятся (get married)

Они ищут смысл жизни.

• Oni ishchut smysl zhizni.
• Translation: They search for the meaning of life.
• 🌏❓
• Key Vocabulary: ищут (search), смысл жизни (meaning of life)

Анна чувствует себя отчаянной.

• Anna chuvstvuet sebya otchayannoy.
• Translation: Anna feels desperate.
• 🚺💔
• Key Vocabulary: чувствует (feels), отчаянной (desperate)

Она бросается под поезд.

• Ona brosaetsya pod poezd.
• Translation: She throws herself under a train.
• 🚆💔
• Key Vocabulary: бросается (throws herself), под (under), поезд (train)

Левин находит утешение в семейной жизни.

• Levin nakhodit uteshenie v semeinoy zhizni.
• Translation: Levin finds solace in family life.
• 👨‍👩‍👧❤️
• Key Vocabulary: находит (finds), утешение (solace), семейной жизни (family life)

Каждая семья уникальна.

• Kazhdaya sem’ya unikal’na.
• Translation: Every family is unique.
• 👨‍👩‍👧🌟
• Key Vocabulary: каждая (every), семья (family), уникальна (unique)

Hopefully, this summary, along with the vocabulary and visual aids, will assist you in recalling the primary themes and events of the story!

Ha, that reminds me about the crack about speed reading “War and Peace” — it’s about Russia :)

Indeed! That’s a classic quip about speed reading summarized novels — particularly ones as complex and nuanced as Tolstoy’s works. While it may be a humorous oversimplification, it does underline the richness and the depth of Russian literature. There’s much more to “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina” than simply “It’s about Russia.” They explore profound themes of love, family, morality, the meaning of life, and the inexorable flow of history, all wrapped up in the socio-political context of Russia during that time. Enjoy your journey into the depths of Russian literature!

How do I say thank you — Spasiba?

Close! It’s spelled Спасибо in Cyrillic and is pronounced approximately like “spuh-SEE-boh”. So you were very close! It means “Thank you” in English. If you want to say “Thank you very much,” you can say “Большое спасибо” (bol’shoye spuh-SEE-boh).

спасибо!

Пожалуйста! (Pozhaluysta!) That means “You’re welcome!” Keep going; you’re doing great!

Continue reading…

Read Anna Karenina in the Original Russian (Part 2 of N)

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