Embarking on My Ukrainian Language Journey: A 12-Day Challenge
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Chapter 1: My Initial Steps
I have embarked on a personal quest to learn Ukrainian, a language that uses the Cyrillic script.
My aspiration is to reach a conversational level in less than two months, which has prompted me to dedicate substantial daily effort to mastering this language. This isn't my first experience with language learning; I am already fluent in Portuguese and English, with a decent understanding of French, though I don't practice it often, making it more challenging for me. Additionally, I have a basic grasp of Spanish, which I picked up informally rather than through formal study. Now, I'm diving into the world of Cyrillic languages.
The Ukrainian alphabet is a significant departure from what Latin script users are accustomed to.
How Much Time Do I Need to Learn the Ukrainian Language?
In this video, you will discover various strategies and timeframes for mastering the Ukrainian language.
My Initial Impressions of Ukrainian
As mentioned in a previous update, I was eager to delve deeper into this language. The Cyrillic alphabet presents a steep learning curve; each letter has a unique sound that differs from the Latin alphabet, and many letters simply don't exist in Latin languages.
To successfully learn Ukrainian, it's essential to abandon any preconceived notions about sounds and rules from your native language.
The first step in my language learning process is always to familiarize myself with common phrases, numbers, and essential questions like “Where can I find water?” or “Where is the train station?” I was pleasantly surprised to discover that many sounds in Ukrainian are quite similar to those in English and Portuguese.
For example, the Ukrainian word for “car” is “machine,” which traces back to the French language from the mid-1500s.
Section 1.1: Linguistic Connections
One particularly intriguing word is the Ukrainian term for dinner:
Вечеря (Ukr) — "Dinner" (Eng) — "Jantar" (PT)
In Portuguese, the word for dinner sounds strikingly similar to "Vai descer," which translates to "It’s going down." This could relate to the setting sun, hinting at the origins of the term, as families historically ate their last meal before sunset.
This may just be a coincidence, but I find it a plausible connection.
Another interesting word is "Cyr," which means "cheese" in Ukrainian.
Subsection 1.1.1: Unique Sound Associations
The word "ходжу" (pronounced "khodzhu") means "to walk," and it amusingly resembles the Portuguese "Coxo," meaning "a person with difficulty walking."
It conjures an image of a Cyrillic-speaking person in a Latin region, struggling to express their inability to walk, leading to others labeling them "Coxo."
The etymology of “Coxo” can be traced back to Latin, suggesting a shared ancestry between these languages.
Section 1.2: The Mystique of Numbers
When learning numbers in Ukrainian, I noticed the peculiar treatment of the number 40, which seems to hold a mystical significance.
In folklore, a magpie is said to use 40 sticks to build its nest, potentially linking to the name "Sorok." This cultural richness adds depth to the language.
Chapter 2: Efficiency of Ukrainian
The Ukrainian language appears more streamlined than English, French, or even Portuguese.
It allows for concise expression with fewer connecting words, relying on various conjugations that can alter the beginning or end of words, which can be somewhat perplexing.
Though I am just beginning to grasp how to apply singular and plural forms, I've noticed patterns that aid in understanding these changes.
Measuring My Progress
As a beginner, I feel like I've made significant strides in just 12 days.
Achieving fluency within the next month seems attainable, and I might even surpass my current proficiency in French, which poses a considerable challenge.
Having spent five years in French classes, I realize I've absorbed more Ukrainian in this short time than I did during my initial year studying French.
Consistent practice has proven effective in retaining new vocabulary, and using Duolingo has enhanced my speaking skills and sound recognition, which are difficult to master through textbooks alone.
I have opted for a paid subscription to access all features while I intensively learn.
The journey continues—wish me luck!
Ukrainian Dialogues for Beginners: Episode #1 - Getting Acquainted
This video offers a foundational dialogue in Ukrainian for beginners, perfect for those starting their language journey.