I'm not the expert, but as an American learning Russian and a little Ukrainian, I'll offer this to a fellow English-speaker ...

Ukr ї is comparable to Rus e, but yi, not ye: Like year or yield; just like that, yi/yee.

Ukr i = Rus и = English short i: Like bill, swill, but a little more like our double ee.

Ukr и = Rus ы = English 'y' ... but sounds a little like 'ui' (short i) ... no Eng equivalent, it's hard to explain ..... think about pressing the back of the tongue down just a tiny bit, momentarily. Usually it's best to just listen to a native speaker. And I think it can be hard to distinguish sometimes.

So. Uk-Ru-En: i is like и is like i ... and и is like ы is like ui ... and ї is just yi.

I hope this is close enough or accurate enough, but a Ukrainian speaker may want to improve a little bit

edit: ... when you say "e sounding", you mean like long e, don't you?.....

Ukr 'i' and Rus 'и' are like Eng long e, or ee in 'sleep'.

Ukr 'e' is like Eng short e in 'bet' or 'send'.

Just to clarify

I think I made a mistake with Ukr 'и' // Rus 'ы' // Eng y (ui) ... ...

It's probably more accurate to describe the sound as curling the sides of the tongue, softly. But in practice, I find that it's much easier for me to say Ukrainian 'би' (Rus 'бы') correctly, than to say 'ти' (Rus 'ты'). So I practiced saying 'би' ('бы') first, and then other words.

Ukrainian 'и' is certainly the toughest sound to master. But with patience and listening and practice, you'll get it

Try this site:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/4747/alphabet.html

geeze why can't they just have 1 i. hahahah


but yeah i was referring about a long e.

thats a very interesting website!
the и sounds like "ohh or uhh" ouhuh. hahah
something like that. that's soo odd. hahha

... but remember, the ultimate objective is to make the English 'i' sound.

I also want to say that (for me) it's been hard to find good sources for learning "pure" Ukrainian. But more and more sources can be found now. And that's great, because Ukrainian is a really beautiful and poetic language.

Do you know about the website below? ... Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Kiev. If not, as a start, click "Lessons" at the top and then:
...Lesson 2, letters and sounds
...Lesson 3, basic phrases
http://www.ukma.kiev.ua/ua/pub/websites/ufl/index.htm

The difference between i and и are very subtle. And you might also notice: that site says that 'и' should be spoken more like the simple English 'i' (it) and Ukr 'i' is more like Eng long e, ee. So maybe Ukrainian is actually a little easier for the english tongue than Russian

Another note, about music: A lot of Ukrainian musicians sing in Russian, but I think Gaytana/Gajtana (Гайтана), Irina Bilyk and maybe Tina Karol' sing quite a few songs in Ukrainian.

Occasionally you'll even find Ukrainian lyrics posted with Youtube videos.

Originally Posted by PROPEL

geeze why can't they just have 1 i. hahahah

Don't worry in Greek they have 6 "i'". Only 2 in Bulgarian.

^hahaha good. i'll just stick to bulgarian and russian.

haha

but thanks jandros!!
very interesting about Ukrainian!

Russian song..

could someone give me the RU and EN lyrics of this song please?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR69_pTZfAU

Originally Posted by jandros

I'm not the expert, but as an American learning Russian and a little Ukrainian, I'll offer this to a fellow English-speaker ...

Ukr ї is comparable to Rus e, but yi, not ye: Like year or yield; just like that, yi/yee.

Ukr i = Rus и = English short i: Like bill, swill, but a little more like our double ee.

Ukr и = Rus ы = English 'y' ... but sounds a little like 'ui' (short i) ... no Eng equivalent, it's hard to explain ..... think about pressing the back of the tongue down just a tiny bit, momentarily. Usually it's best to just listen to a native speaker. And I think it can be hard to distinguish sometimes.

So. Uk-Ru-En: i is like и is like i ... and и is like ы is like ui ... and ї is just yi.

I hope this is close enough or accurate enough, but a Ukrainian speaker may want to improve a little bit

edit: ... when you say "e sounding", you mean like long e, don't you?.....

Ukr 'i' and Rus 'и' are like Eng long e, or ee in 'sleep'.

Ukr 'e' is like Eng short e in 'bet' or 'send'.

Just to clarify

I just wanted to make few corrections as native ukrainian speaker
letter i is not a short one it is rather long it is closer like in the word piece.
and I think english [i] in words like bill, will is closer to ukrainian и.
In other words i is a front vowel and и is a back vowel

Originally Posted by jandros

... but remember, the ultimate objective is to make the English 'i' sound.

I also want to say that (for me) it's been hard to find good sources for learning "pure" Ukrainian. But more and more sources can be found now. And that's great, because Ukrainian is a really beautiful and poetic language.


Another note, about music: A lot of Ukrainian musicians sing in Russian, but I think Gaytana/Gajtana (Гайтана), Irina Bilyk and maybe Tina Karol' sing quite a few songs in Ukrainian.

Occasionally you'll even find Ukrainian lyrics posted with Youtube videos.

Thanks for the compliment for my language, if u need any help I am always ready to assist.
About ukrainian singers u can also find nice songs in ukrainian sung by Ani Lorak, Oleksandr Ponomariov, Vitalij Koz.lovskyj

Originally Posted by jandros

Bolonka or Sergio or anyone, may I ask? Sofiya Rotaru ... can some of her music be called Romani/Gypsy? Maybe not traditional in every sense, but influenced by gypsy style? Or is most of her music simply "folk" music? If this is not a good question or thought, I apologize. Anyway, I like a lot of her music....

... such as this song, the video link below. But I can't find the lyrics, in any language! Can anyone help?

Hutoryanka - Хуторянка

Тhis is a very old her russian song here u have the lyrics of it
Слышу старой песни мотив,
Что сама напевала не раз,
И глаза закрываю на миг, забыв,
Что я городская сейчас.
Эта песня, синий простор,
Край родимый напомнила мне
И девчонку ту, что с недавних пор
Часто вижу я во сне.

ПРИПЕВ:
Хуто-хуторянка, девчоночка-смуглянка.
Мне бы хоть разок, всего лишь на чуток
В мою весну на хуторок.

Медом дышит лунная ночь.
Редкий свет из окошек домов.
И так хочется снова сорваться прочь
В сиреневый рай садов.
Чтобы кругом опять голова
И слова как хмельное вино,
Чтобы ночь была - не расти трава,
Любишь, губишь, все равно.

ПРИПЕВ:
Хуто-хуторянка, девчоночка-смуглянка.
Мне бы хоть разок, всего лишь на чуток
В мою весну на хуторок.

Хуто-хуторянка, девчонка-молдаванка.
Мне бы хоть разок всего лишь на чуток
В мою весну на хуторок
Мне бы хоть разок всего лишь на чуток
В мою весну на хуторок
В мою весну на хуторок

She had some song in Romani language, I heard only one of them (sorry I cant remember the name of it now)
She used to speak Ukrainian folk song when she was young, but now she sings only in Russian and not folk songs

Hello again,
I was sent a song by a friend, she told me that it was in Russian, and was originally a poem. The middle verse of the poem was left out in the song, but I am posting the entire poem for the sake of clarity.

Can you help me with a translation?

Thank you in advance.

The poem:

Мне нравится, что Вы больны не мной,
Мне нравится, что я больна не Вами,
Что никогда тяжелый шар земной
Не уплывет под нашими ногами.
Мне нравится, что можно быть смешной –
Распущенной – и не играть словами,
И не краснеть удушливой волной,
Слегка соприкоснувшись рукавами.

Мне нравится еще, что Вы при мне
Спокойно обнимаете другую,
Не прочите мне в адовом огне
Гореть за то, что я не Вас целую.
Что имя нежное мое, мой нежный, не
Упоминаете ни днем ни ночью – всуе…
Что никогда в церковной тишине
Не пропоют над нами: аллилуйя!

Спасибо Вам и сердцем и рукой
За то, что вы меня – не зная сами! –
Так любите: за мой ночной покой,
За редкость встреч закатными часами,
За наши не-гулянья под луной,
За солнце не у нас над головами,
За то, что Вы больны – увы! – не мной,
За то, что я больна – увы! – не Вами.

Originally Posted by Bolonka

...lyrics...

I wonder, who do you cheer for in the Olympics??

For Rotaru's lyrics and info, thanks, велике спасибі, it was very helpful!

Originally Posted by jandros

I wonder, who do you cheer for in the Olympics??

For Rotaru's lyrics and info, thanks, велике спасибі, it was very helpful!

Haaha
good question, but wherever I am I always support only Ukraine.
Jandros where are u originally from? It is very pleasant for me that u are so interested in my language.
Якщо потрiбна допомога - пиши! Завжди рада допомогти!

Originally Posted by Mblake

Hello again,
I was sent a song by a friend, she told me that it was in Russian, and was originally a poem. The middle verse of the poem was left out in the song, but I am posting the entire poem for the sake of clarity.

Can you help me with a translation?

Thank you in advance.

The poem:

Мне нравится, что Вы больны не мной,
I like it that u are not sick because of love for me (meaning sick because of love for me/that u are not so much in love with me)
Мне нравится, что я больна не Вами,
I like it that I am not sick because of love for u
Что никогда тяжелый шар земной
That steady ground
Не уплывет под нашими ногами.
Never run out from below our feet
Мне нравится, что можно быть смешной –
I like to be joyful (funny)
Распущенной – и не играть словами,
To be dismissed and not to play with words
И не краснеть удушливой волной,
And not to blush overwhelmingly
Слегка соприкоснувшись рукавами.
While our sleeves touch

Мне нравится еще, что Вы при мне
I like it also that u can easily
Спокойно обнимаете другую,
Embrace the other one in my presence
Не прочите мне в адовом огне
And that u dont prophecy that I will
Гореть за то, что я не Вас целую.
burn in hell for not kissing u.
Что имя нежное мое, мой нежный, не
that my name, my dear, u
Упоминаете ни днем ни ночью – всуе…
dont mention nor in day nor in night
Что никогда в церковной тишине
That they will never sing for us alleluja
Не пропоют над нами: аллилуйя!
In silent church.

Спасибо Вам и сердцем и рукой
Thank u with my heart and hand for
За то, что вы меня – не зная сами! –
That u, without knowing it
Так любите: за мой ночной покой,
Love me so much, for my peace at night
За редкость встреч закатными часами,
For few meetings at sunset time
За наши не-гулянья под луной,
For our not walking under the moon
За солнце не у нас над головами,
For sun above not our heads
За то, что Вы больны – увы! – не мной,
For that that u are sick because of love -but- not for me(unfortunately)
За то, что я больна – увы! – не Вами.
For that that I am sick because of love - but- not for u.(unfortunately

This is a very old song and it comes from a very old a well-known movie. I am sure that every person born in a country of exSoviet Union should this film. It is shown every year in the New Year's Eve.

Originally Posted by Bolonka

...wherever I am I always support only Ukraine.
Jandros where are u originally from? It is very pleasant for me that u are so interested in my language.
Якщо потрiбна допомога - пиши! Завжди рада допомогти!

First, thank you for your offer! But I should say that I've been studying Russian more than Ukrainian ... I started with Russian, before I learned that Ukrainian is such a beautiful language.

I'm "very American"! Born right here in NC. But I've spent some time in Europe, mostly Turkey, Italy and England. But just in the past year I've met people here in the U.S. from Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Poland ..... so that's why I'm suddenly trying to learn 3 new languages!

Anyway, it also seems like most of my favorite eastern European musicians are from Ukraine, and that's why I found this topic. Maybe I'll send you a PM soon?

wondering the full translation of Гайтана's song не йде... any help would be greatful!!


Please help!!!
Thanks
христина

Originally Posted by jandros

First, thank you for your offer! But I should say that I've been studying Russian more than Ukrainian ... I started with Russian, before I learned that Ukrainian is such a beautiful language.

I'm "very American"! Born right here in NC. But I've spent some time in Europe, mostly Turkey, Italy and England. But just in the past year I've met people here in the U.S. from Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Poland ..... so that's why I'm suddenly trying to learn 3 new languages!

Anyway, it also seems like most of my favorite eastern European musicians are from Ukraine, and that's why I found this topic. Maybe I'll send you a PM soon?

Ok no problem!!
I will eagerly help u also with Russian and Polish, any time

Гайтана,С.К.А.Й Не йди!
It is one of the most romantic songs I ever heard. MY sister keeps listening it like 2 years and she never gets bored of it

Як холодно без тебе, сумно як -
It is so cold without you and sad
Заплаканії вікна.
The tear-stained windows.
З тобою бути мій таємний знак,
My secret sign will be with you
що жити без тебе ніяк не звикну.
That I cant get used to live without you.

Так холодно коли тебе нема -
It is so cold when you are not around
без сонця не воскресну.
I wont revive without the sun
Бо в серці залишилася зима,
Because the winter is still in my heart
а над тобою теплі весни.
and warm springs are with you.

Не йди! Не йди! Не йди!..
Dont go x3

Як холодно без тебе - все біда
So cold without u - only misery
Сльоза біжить по скроні.
Tears runs on my cheek
Життя моє лилось немов вода
My life ran like water
крізь наші дві розведені долоні
through our seperated palms.

Не йди! Не йди! Не йди...
Не йди! не йди! не йди!..
Dont go x6
Як холодно без тебе, сумно як -
It is so cold without you and sad
Заплаканії вікна.
The tear-stained windows.
З тобою бути мій таємний знак,
My secret sign will be with you
що жити без тебе ніяк не звикну.


Не йди! Не йди! Не йди від мене!..
Не йди! Не йди! Не йди!..
Не йди! Не йди! Не йди!..
Не йди! Не йди! Не йди!..
Не йди...

Originally Posted by Bolonka

This is a very old song and it comes from a very old a well-known movie. I am sure that every person born in a country of exSoviet Union should this film. It is shown every year in the New Year's Eve.

Thank you very much!

Originally Posted by Sergios

feel the drive of ukrainian passion

Ðóñëàíà - Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó
Ruslana - Play me, musician


Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó Play a song for me, my darling
Çàãðàé ìè, Çàãðàé ìè Play for me, musician
Ïðî âåëèêèé øîó-á³çíåñ I shan't go to show business
Á³ëüøå íå ïèòàé ìè, For the recognition
Òè áè ì çàãðàâ, òè áè ì çàãðàâ You'd be playing, you'd be playing,
ß áè ì çàñï³âàëà I would sing with passion
ß áè ì ö³é ïðåêðàñí³é Áð³òí³ All the world could hear this music
Ñï³âàòè íå äàëà With the great impression

Ïðèñï³â CHORUS

À ÿê íàñòð³é ôàéíèé áóäå – Should my mood become so bully -
Áóäåìî ñï³âàòè. We will sing together
A ÿê áóäóòü äîáð³ ëþäè – When good people come to party
Áóäåìî â³òàòè We'll be dancing further
À ÿê áóäå ôàéíèé ´àçäà When we find a classy master
Áðèíçà, çàâèâàíö³, Who can lay the table
Ïîðîõ âêðèº íåãàðàçäè. We shall dance the hot wild dances
Áóäóòü äèê³ òàíö³. We are so much able
Íå õèòàé - òàíöþé ð³âíåíüêî Don't you sway - control your breathing
Öÿ ìåëîä³ÿ ïðîñòåíüêà, Look at me, it's very easy
Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó… Play the song and stop your teasing…


ßê ÿ ñîá³ íàãàäàþ When I think of dateless customs
ïðî äàâí³ äàâíèíè, And of old traditions
Áóëè òàíö³, áóëè êðèêè. Theie-weie songs and crazy dances
Íå áóëî ïðè÷èíè. And without conditions
Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó. Play this song for me. my darling
Íàé áè ïîäèâèëè Let them heat my singing
ßê áè øòèðè òèõ Ðàìøòàéíè I give twenty points to Britney
Íà îäèí çëîæèëè My voice will be ringing

Ïðèñï³â CHORUS
Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó Play this song for me. my darling
Òàì íàãîâîðèìñÿ. Make all people stare
À íà Åìì³ ³ íà Ãðåìì³ We could win a million dollars
Íàé íå çàâîä³ìñÿ. But I wouldn't care
A ÿê áóäåø, ìóçè÷åíüêó Don't be cool with me, musician
Äî ìåíå ÷³ïëÿòè. You don’t get the chances'
Çàáåðåø ñâîþ ã³òàðó, You' can't go away, my darling
Òà é ï³äåø äî õàòè. No more songs, no dances.

Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó Play this song for me, my darling
Ùîá í³õòî íå ñòîÿâ, Let us feel the fire
Ùîáè íàð³ä íå ñïèíÿâñÿ Let the people dance together
Ùîáè ì ñè íå áîÿâ Jumping oven higher
Ùîáè òàíö³ íå ñê³í÷àëè Let your music teach the heavens
Ùîáè ì ñè òèñíóëè Let the stars be violent
A ÿê ç³éäå ç³ðêà ðàíî When the morning stops these sounds
Òîä³ ì ñè ïîñíóëè Then we shall be silent...
catch the link Bolt - Oh, play for me musician dear

Ðóñëàíà - Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó
Ruslana - Play for me, musician.


Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó Play music for me,
Çàãðàé ìè, Çàãðàé ìè Play for me, musician
Ïðî âåëèêèé øîó-á³çíåñ About great show business
Á³ëüøå íå ïèòàé ìè, don’t ask me anymore.
Òè áè ì çàãðàâ, òè áè ì çàãðàâ You'd be playing, you'd be playing,
ß áè ì çàñï³âàëà I would sing.
ß áè ì ö³é ïðåêðàñí³é Áð³òí³
Ñï³âàòè íå äàëà I would not let that Britney to sing. (It means that Ruslana singing much better)

Ïðèñï³â CHORUS

À ÿê íàñòð³é ôàéíèé áóäå – If my mood will be good -
Áóäåìî ñï³âàòè. We will sing together
A ÿê áóäóòü äîáð³ ëþäè – If good people come to party
Áóäåìî â³òàòè We'll be welcome
À ÿê áóäå ôàéíèé ´àçäà When we will find a classy master
Áðèíçà, çàâèâàíö³, Who can lay the table
Ïîðîõ âêðèº íåãàðàçäè. The dust will cover all bad things
Áóäóòü äèê³ òàíö³. Shall be wild dances.
Íå õèòàé - òàíöþé ð³âíåíüêî Don't you sway – dance good, with confidence.
Öÿ ìåëîä³ÿ ïðîñòåíüêà, This melody is very easy
Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó… Play music for me …


ßê ÿ ñîá³ íàãàäàþ When I recollect for myself
ïðî äàâí³ äàâíèíè, About old traditions
Áóëè òàíö³, áóëè êðèêè. There-were dances and crazy shouting
Íå áóëî ïðè÷èíè. And without reasons.
Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó. Play song for me
Íàé áè ïîäèâèëè Let them see
ßê áè øòèðè òèõ Ðàìøòàéíè Like four that Rammsteins
Íà îäèí çëîæèëè were put I one place. (It means that it is so wild and crazy party)

Ïðèñï³â CHORUS
Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó Play music for me.
Òàì íàãîâîðèìñÿ. And lets talk good very much,
À íà Åìì³ ³ íà Ãðåìì³ about Emmi and Gremmi
Íàé íå çàâîä³ìñÿ. We should not care. (means that its not so much important)
A ÿê áóäåø, ìóçè÷åíüêó If you will want, musician,
Äî ìåíå ÷³ïëÿòè. Get catch on to me
Çàáåðåø ñâîþ ã³òàðó, You will take your guitar
Òà é ï³äåø äî õàòè. And you will go home. (she lets to understand that if musician will touch her she can destroy his guitar on his head and will kick his ***)

Îé, çàãðàé ìè ìóçè÷åíüêó Play music for me
Ùîá í³õòî íå ñòîÿâ, That no one did not stand
Ùîáè íàð³ä íå ñïèíÿâñÿ Let the people dance without a rest
Ùîáè ì ñè íå áîÿâ Let them be not afraid
Ùîáè òàíö³ íå ñê³í÷àëè Don’t let our dances to be finished
Ùîáè ì ñè òèñíóëè Lets make the throng
A ÿê ç³éäå ç³ðêà ðàíî When in morning star will touch the sky
Òîä³ ì ñè ïîñíóëè just in that time everybody will fall asleep...