A humorous and informative guide to the Russian language, culture and translation. Essential reading for students and teachers of Russian, translators, Russia-watchers, foreigners in Moscow, and anyone who wants to understand Russia today.
"Michele Berdy’s columns are so good, they’ve become addictive."
Marian Schwartz
Since 2002, readers all over the world have been enjoying and learning from Michele A. Berdy’s column, 'The Word’s Worth', in The Moscow Times. A quirky, opinionated, sometimes hilarious and yet always thoughtful and authoritative guide, Berdy looks at Russia’s changing culture, politics, and daily life through language and the art of translation.
In the over 200 columns gathered in this volume, she explores the language of popular and youth culture, politics, the workplace, culture high and low, and the comical struggle of expats trying to feel at home in a foreign language and culture. She tackles subjects not found in any Russian textbook or cultural guide, from the serious (expressing condolences and mastering church etiquette) through the annoying (dealing with the plumber, and writing the perfect robbery report), to the essential (excusing oneself - politely and not - to use the rest room). Her columns clarify Russian grammar, provide translations of devilishly difficult words and phrases, and throw open a window on Russia in the 21st century.
This volume includes columns from 2002 to 2007, updated and organised into thematic chapters, along with an index of Russian words, phrases and expressions for reference.
Michele A. Berdy has lived and worked in Moscow for most of the last 32 years, working in documentary film, TV production, public health communication and journalism. An accomplished translator and interpreter, she is best known for her popular weekly column 'The Word’s Worth'. Her articles on Russian culture, current events and various aspects of intercultural communication have appeared in the Russian and English-language press. She has written four guidebooks about Moscow, St Petersburg and Russia, and is co-author of a Russian-English dictionary.
"Michele Berdy’s columns are so good, they’ve become addictive."
Marian Schwartz
Since 2002, readers all over the world have been enjoying and learning from Michele A. Berdy’s column, 'The Word’s Worth', in The Moscow Times. A quirky, opinionated, sometimes hilarious and yet always thoughtful and authoritative guide, Berdy looks at Russia’s changing culture, politics, and daily life through language and the art of translation.
In the over 200 columns gathered in this volume, she explores the language of popular and youth culture, politics, the workplace, culture high and low, and the comical struggle of expats trying to feel at home in a foreign language and culture. She tackles subjects not found in any Russian textbook or cultural guide, from the serious (expressing condolences and mastering church etiquette) through the annoying (dealing with the plumber, and writing the perfect robbery report), to the essential (excusing oneself - politely and not - to use the rest room). Her columns clarify Russian grammar, provide translations of devilishly difficult words and phrases, and throw open a window on Russia in the 21st century.
This volume includes columns from 2002 to 2007, updated and organised into thematic chapters, along with an index of Russian words, phrases and expressions for reference.
Michele A. Berdy has lived and worked in Moscow for most of the last 32 years, working in documentary film, TV production, public health communication and journalism. An accomplished translator and interpreter, she is best known for her popular weekly column 'The Word’s Worth'. Her articles on Russian culture, current events and various aspects of intercultural communication have appeared in the Russian and English-language press. She has written four guidebooks about Moscow, St Petersburg and Russia, and is co-author of a Russian-English dictionary.