Russian-English Differences
Language and Culture
Basic Differences
Russian
English
1. Inflexional, i.e. it has a 1. Analytical, i.e.
wide system of case
complex meanings are
word forms, complex
expressed with the
grammar and
help of several words:
syntactical meanings
to make an agrrement
are synthesized in one
that one of the
word: созвониться
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 Differences
Russian
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 Differences
Russian
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 translator: Avoid straightforwardness typical
for the Russian
language and speech.
English
7. Complex modality is
typical, the expression
of probability admiting doubt. Modal
words are frequent:
seems to, apparently, I
would think, presu mably, allegedly, etc.
Basic Differences
Russian
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 Differences
Russian
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 between bookish and colloquial styles. There is a clearcut difference between
functional styles (scientific, publicist, business,
etc.) within literary style.
English
10. A much weaker difference between literary and
colloquial styles. Practically no varieties within
literary style (the term
«functional style» is a rare
one in English stylistics).
Basic Differences
Russian
11.Russian oratory style
is rather heavy and eloquent at the same time.
It amply uses parallelisms, 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 expressions or invectives.