Language

Making mistakes in Cyrillic is no big deal. Everyone does. But wrong Cyrillic, that’s the biggest mistake you can make. And the worst thing you can do with that noble Cyrillic can do.

To emphasize one more time that - and why - it is useful and important to to know where the emphasis added in Russian falls. And how that knowledge helps you, in both the spelling of the word крокодил (crocodile) and the pronunciation of names such as Tolstoy.

One looks like a “w” with straight lines (like an E that has fallen over), and the other is similar but with a tail or hook. Or something like that. Not only do ш and щ look similar, but their sounds are also close. So close that distinguishing them isn’t easy.

It looks like two letters but has an indescribable sound. The 29th letter of the Russian alphabet is quite unique and often causes problems with pronunciation. We are talking about the letter ы, a sound not found in many other languages (except perhaps Turkish). As such, it takes some effort to pronounce it correctly.

The letter ё is the panda of the Russian alphabet. Assuming the panda is teetering on the brink of extinction and in need of special attention. While the panda gets plenty of attention, the letter ё is quietly dying.

If you’re tired of the ABC videos but still haven’t mastered the алфавит (alphabet), you can listen to songs that Russian children sing to get it into their heads. Useful for remembering the order of the 33 буквы (letters), though you may feel for them.

Cyril and Methodius, brothers and Christian monks, are at the foundation of the Russian script. It is called Cyrillic because Cyril invented it, in the primitive form of the Glagolitic alphabet, which was revised and simplified after his death. Cyril and Methodius came from Thessalonica (Greece) and were missionaries: the script was meant to translate the Bible and spread the faith.

Learning Russian begins with that fascinating alphabet. 33 characters, just 7 more than in our ABC, so how hard can it be? Find out for yourself, of course. Try apps, for example: plenty of options on Google Play and Apple App Store, often for free. Or by watching and listening to clips – also for free. The second language is usually English.