Why do some Ukrainians use Russian grammatical patterns and/or words in Ukrainian and vice versa? Is it because both languages are commonly spoken in Ukraine or is there a more complex issue? Let's find out!

All About Ukrainian

What is суржик?

LUKE: Hello? Hi, Stephanie, how are things at the office?
STEPHANIE: Hi, Luke! How are you? Can you please stop and pick up 
extra paper for the computer printer?
LUKE: What did you say? Can you repeat that, please? Did you 
say to pick up ink for the printer? Sorry, the phone is 
cutting out.
STEPHANIE: Can you hear me now? No, I need more computer paper. 
Listen, I’ll text you exactly what I need. Thanks, Luke. 
Talk to you later.
LUKE: Thanks, Stephanie. Sorry, my phone has really bad
reception here.



LANGUAGE NOTES
• There are a few ways to express a lack of understanding and to request additional 
information. The most common ones are stated, but you can also say “Excuse me” or 
simply “I can’t hear you.” In a more formal situation, try saying “I’m sorry?” or “I beg 
your pardon?” (with a rising intonation).
• When asking someone to clarify information try saying Can you please repeat that? / 
Can you spell that for me? / Can you please write down the address for me?
• Cutting out describes a difficulty in understanding a caller due to poor cellphone 
reception. If you are having trouble understanding the caller, you can also say The 
line is breaking up / I am losing you. If the phone call is disconnected because of poor 
reception, you can say The call dropped.
• Talk to you later is the equivalent in a phone conversation of “See you later” in a 
regular, face-to-face conversation.
• Reception here means the availability of cellular service, the possibility to receive and 
give calls on a cellphone. Cellphone reception can be limited in remote areas, inside 
large buildings or underground (in the subway, for instance).

English Conversation practice (30-day challenge)

Day 7: Asking them to repeat

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D27eWgvka8MSn9diSXpt3Whu_nWZdv9Y/view?usp=sharing 

Download the text and listen while you are checking your pronunciation! İyi çalışmalar :)

Reading in Turkish

İstanbul'da Hava Nasıl?

Impariamo cos'è la dizione e perché è così importante.

ItaliAnto (L'italiano con Antonella)

Cos'è la dizione italiana?

En este episodio repasaremos las expresiones para hablar sobre el tiempo.
Vocabulario y expresiones coloquiales muy útiles para tener una buena comprensión del español. El lenguaje no siempre es una traducción literal de un idioma a otro. 

Español con Maite

El tiempo

Learn the best vocabulary related to cars and driving as well as some modern language related to technology and innovation.