Poster: A snowHead
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.. to which I really should know the answer, but realise I don't: language. Presumably they speak Bulgarian - but is that written in cyrillic script? To my shame I know nothing of the Bulgarian language - what is it most closely related to? (deep down I have an inkling it's a romance language). Would a working knowledge of the cyrillic alphabet therefore be of use, or totally redundant?
Linguists, please help!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Bulgarian uses the same Cyrillic alphabet as Russian. There are a lot of similarities. Most people speak Russian, though they prefer not to. If you can read Cyrillic, you can get around OK.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I can’t see the point if you can read Cyrillic but you don’t understand what is actually written! If you go to a ski resort most of the people there speak English not fluently but combined with the gestures they make with their hands you can pretty much understand what they are talking about. DON'T ASK OLD PEOPLE QUESTIONS IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPEND THE NEXT ONE HOUR STANDING THERE WHILE HE IS EXPLAINING YOU THE HISTORY OF BANSKO AND HOW QUIET WAS BEFORE 10-20-30 YEARS IN BULGARIAN:D
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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The point of being able to read Cyrilic is that you can find your way around and recognise place names from signboards at stations etc. I once found myself in Leningrad with just Bev and we toured the city going by names on underground stations. I realise the language takes a little more!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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SERJOE wrote: |
I can’t see the point if you can read Cyrillic but you don’t understand what is actually written!D |
I've traveled to places where they don't use english alphabets (Greece, Japan, India). I can tell you it makes a big difference if you can recognize the written words (better yet, able to pronounce it), without having to actually understand what they mean.
Granted, if everyone there speaks English, that's ok. But able to read and memorize name of places means you'll need to ask directions only half as many times as if you can't read.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Chris Bish wrote: |
Bulgarian uses the same Cyrillic alphabet as Russian. There are a lot of similarities. Most people speak Russian, though they prefer not to. If you can read Cyrillic, you can get around OK.
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It might use the same alphabet, but Bulgarian is a lot different from Russian. My wife is Bulgarian, but can hardly speak a word of Russian. I can't speak a word of either!
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uktrailmonster, Russian was compulsory in Bulgarian schools during the Communist era. Most Bulgarians of my acquaintance pretend to know none!
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That explains why her parents can speak Russian then. But it must be significantly different to Bulgarian if my wife can't understand it.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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uktrailmonster beat me to it. Bulgarian and Russian is very very different. Most Bulgarians dont have a clue about the Russian language! Granted they use the same alphabet but then so does the UK and France! The cyrillic alphabet was actually invented by Bugaria. (OMG how geeky do I sound)!!!!
To answer your question poma, recognition of the alphabet could be of assistance in a few instances, especially if you were to travel outside of Bansko. In Bansko though pretty much everywhere has an English translation and most hotels, restaurants etc have English speaking staff. Recognition of the alphabet and a basic grasp of the usual nicities, hello, how are you, yes, no, thank you etc will get a very warm reception from the local Bulgarians.
Here are a few to get you started with the phonetics in brackets
Hello (zdravay) здраваи
How are you (kaksy) как си
Yes (Da) Да
No (Nay) Не
Please (Molya) Моля
Thank you (Blagodarya) Благодаря
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Glynis wrote: |
Hello (zdravay) здраваи
How are you (kaksy) как си
Yes (Da) Да
No (Nay) Не
Please (Molya) Моля
Thank you (Blagodarya) Благодаря |
Easy hey!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Glad you think so. Are you ready for your next lesson!!!!!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Do you know the Bulgarian for:
Help. There is no electricity in this room.
Help, there is no hot water, except in the toilet.
Help, I would like a hotel without prostitutes in the lobby please.
Help, please can you ask the construction workers in the next room to stop drilling through my wall.
Help, the real estate agents will not leave me alone.
Help, I bought an appartment to rent but there have never been any renters
Help, I bought an appartment, I now wish to sell it, how do I find a real estate agent who won't laugh at me?
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