Russian-English Differences

Language and Culture

Basic Differences

Russian

1. Inflexional, i.e. it has a wide system of case word forms, complex grammar and syntactical meanings are synthesized in one word: созвониться

English

1. Analytical, i.e. complex meanings are expressed with the help of several words:

to make an agrrement that one of the interlocutors will make a call

Basic Differences

Russian

2. A lot of impersonal, indefinite-impersonal, reflexive and passive constructions:

а) Меня продуло.

б) Вечерело.

в) Ну как было не возмутиться!

English

2. A strict SPO (subject - predicate - object) structure:

а) I caught a cold.

b) It was late in the day.

с) I could’t help feeling indignant.

Basic Differences

Russian

3. A lot of nouns, especially verbal nouns and an abundance of genitive case forms in bookish and official styles: крик ребенка артистки театра

English

3. A verb is preferrable:

The actress’s baby is crying.

NB: in colloquial speech, though, nouns are frequent: Can you hear the baby’s shriek?

Basic DifferencesRussian

4. A lot of «negative» words, constructions with the negation «не» and double negation; the method of expressing the thought “from the reverse” is frequent: Вы не знаете, сколько времени?

English

4. Affirmative sentences prevail, negative structures are rare, double negation is extremely rare: Could you tell me the time, please? E.g.: Я не мог не сказать ему об этом - I had to tell him about it.

Basic DifferencesRussian

5. Russian sentences are longer than English ones, the reason: Russian syllables and words are approxi -mately 30-50% longer in Russian. We, Russians, are fond of long and colorful phrases.

English

5. The English text is composed of comparatively short sentences, it is «ethical» to use short words and brief structures. NB: In translation divide Russian sentences into 2-3 short ones.

Basic Differences

Russian

6. A lot of abstract words and generalizations in official, scientific, and publicistic texts. E.g.:

У нас очень своеобразная ментальность: посягаем на возвышенное, не обращая внимания на реальное. [Burak, p.147]

English

6. Specific words prevail, generaliza -tions are implied rather than explicitely worded. E.g.: We have a special kind of mentality: We aspire to lofty things and ignore our everyday needs.

Basic Differences

Russian

7. Modality of assertion prevails, other forms of modality are not explicit. NB for a tran-slator: Avoid straight-forwardness typical for the Russian language and speech.

English

7. Complex modality is typical, the expression of probability admit- ing doubt. Modal words are frequent: seems to, apparently, I would think, presu -mably, allegedly, etc.

Basic DifferencesRussian

8. The order of words in

a sentence plays a great

semantic role, the most

important word stands at

the beginning. E.g.:

Вам этого не понять.

Этого вам не понять.

Не понять вам этого.

English

8. The word order is

fixed, semantic shades of

meaning are expressed by

other means. In English

there can be one variant:

You won’t understand this

[plus intonation].

Basic DifferencesRussian

9. A lot of sentences

begin not with the

subject but, an object.

The rhematic (new)

information stands at the

end of the sentence:

Лучшим музыкантом

был Вэн Клайберн.

English

9. The sentence begins

with the subject as a rule.

The rhematic (new)

information is placed at

the beginning of the

sentence:

Van Cliburn was the best

musician.

Basic Differences

Russian

10. A great difference bet-

ween bookish and colloqu-

ial styles. There is a clear-

cut difference between

functional styles (scienti-

fic, publicist, business,

etc.) within literary style.

English

10. A much weaker differ-

ence between literary and

colloquial styles. Practical-

ly no varieties within

literary style (the term

«functional style» is a rare

one in English stylistics).

Basic DifferencesRussian

11.Russian oratory style

is rather heavy and elo-

quent at the same time.

It amply uses parallel-

isms, enumerations,

EM’s and SD’s, set

phrases, like «и так

далее».

English

English oratory style is

much quieter, more

neutral, emotions are

suspended. There are less

repetitions, colorful or

expressive adjectives or

epithets, sharp express-

ions or invectives.