Beginner's Russian script - Daphne M. West

Russian is from the same 'family' of languages as English (Indo-European) and has been very much influenced by languages such as Latin and French, but also by Greek, Hebrew and Old Church Slavonic. In the 9th Century a monk called St Cyril is reputed to have devised the Russian script - hence its name: Cyrillic. There are only 33 letters in the Russian alphabet and learning Russian really is much simpler once you know the script. If you are going to visit Russia, you need a basic recognition of the script, at least to be able to read the street signs and find your way around.

'Teach Yourself Beginner's Russian Script' starts from scratch and teaches you how to read and write the Russian alphabet correctly from the beginning. It will enable you to understand enough from signs, directions, instructions and even menus to be able to get by on your next visit to Russia or to take your study of the language further.

The book is divided into different sections. Units 1-4 introduce you to the letters of the printed alphabet step by step with exercises to practise each new point. In these units each new Russian word will also be transliterated so that you can practise saying the words as well as reading and writing them. The fifth unit is a revision unit so that you can review what you have learnt and go back over any areas of difficulty. In Units 6 and 7, you will learn how to read and write the handwritten Russian script. Finally, in Units 8-10, you will be given practice on specific topics: town and transport, hotel and restaurant, and hobbies.

By the end of the book, you will understand how the Russian script works and will have mastered the basics of reading and writing Russian.

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