Philosophical debates about languages

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...the stage that you became even bored with the language which is not so challenging any more.

It’s not that I’m bored, I just don’t go ‘wow!’ anymore. And it’s still challenging, especially when I’m trying to write. I think it’s time to me to read a grammar book, but there’s no good grammar book out there, so I have to wait till Sputnik write one.

I'm the one who has difficulties in self-discipline and pronunciation training in the first place.

We all have those difficulties. I think it’s okay to have them

Perhaps I'm waiting that they will stare at me in disbelief and think I'm mad.

Relax, they already know you’re Russian.

You know what he said? "I'm not registered at this forum. How do I do it?" And later I asked him whether he succeeded in downloading the book, and he said no.

Brain malfunction. There was nothing you could have done. Let it go.

Perhaps you were a bit too strict when saying all that...

I was really pissed off. I was sick of these endless arguments.

What do you think? Can it be the possible reason?

I don’t know what to think about it. I’m not sure this is the real reason, but this is exactly what they say. All of them. I can’t understand it. Let’s say I have a gift. The Gift. I’m a superman. So? How does it change the fact that their way of learning leads nowhere? Imagine you bought a car. You’re trying to turn it on, but… nothing happens, no sound, no lights on the dashboard, just nothing. Ten years later you’re still trying. Maybe it’s time to realize there’s something wrong with this car? And here I am a real superman with the Gift.
- Hey, Bro! what’cha doing?
- Oh, I dunno… kinda trying to start the engine…
- Oh, what a piece of… er… an interesting car.
- Oh, I dunno… I bought it ten years ago. They say it’s cool.
- I see… Okay, take my car. It’s fast and safe. The tank is full, take the keys, it’s yours.
- Oh, I dunno… It’s only for supermen…
- It’s for ordinary guys. I didn’t know I’m a superman when I bought it.
- Oh, I dunno… I don’t have a gift…
- Listen, you don’t need a gift. All you need is to take the keys, start the engine and off you go.
- Oh, I dunno… My car’s kinda cool…
- Your car is dead. My girl is beautiful and fast, powerful and safe. She’s in good shape and by the way, she’s capable of warp 9. Just give her a chance!
- Oh, I dunno…

I don’t know how to deal with this. I want to hurt someone. To cause some physical damage.

[Пушистая няшечка2]

And it’s still challenging, especially when I’m trying to write. I think it’s time to me to read a grammar book, but there’s no good grammar book out there, so I have to wait till Sputnik write one.

HAHAHAA cool!

Joking apart, I think you don't really need a grammar book when it comes to writing. At least, no more than I do. Your writing is very conversational, more firm and steady than mine. And I know that my mistakes are not that crazy that I could't be understood, so grammar can wait. The matrix is what is important now. I wonder what this Sputnik guy is doing at the moment and would he be able to join this conversation of ours?

I don’t know how to deal with this. I want to hurt someone. To cause some physical damage.

Poor you... What is curious, I never go berserk like this, unless I feel like I was deeply deeply offended. But when misunderstood, I very easily fall into depression. It's like you are an outcast, a nobody, not needed to anyone in this world. Don't even know what is worse.
Anyway, in all this story, I've been starting to realize one thing. People make their choices. There's no point in persuading or something. When I was a sixteen-years-old, all I thought about (and was interested in) was exact sciences, so I didn't hear what I've been told about reading with no dictionary. Perhaps this was the very reason. I wasn't ready! Well, I knew that the language was useful and all, but I just wasn't interested in it so much to study it seriously. It took me a few years to become really interested in languages and this was the very time when I occasionally found NF's book. And even after that it took me a few months to understand what is said in the book about long-term listening. Everyone of us may need some time to let something unusual in their life. It's not the first time when I think about it: when it comes to people believing in Zamyatkin method (especially Russian people), the problem goes beyond being a good teacher, what is necessary here is a good psychotherapist.

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My American friends don’t care. They can see I’m trying hard to improve my English and I earned their respect for that.

By the way...It might sound like a stupid question, but I was always interested what the pronunciation of an experienced matrix student is like. What do your friends say? No accent in usual daily routine and a light one when you're nervous? Have you started the matrix with no English basis from school or you already had a heavy accent that needed correction? Just curious.

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You’re not gonna believe this! Last night I had a dream about that imaginary car capable of warp 9, about me being a superman and about that guy with his stupid ‘Oh, I dunno…’ thing. This morning I went to a supermarket to buy some things and there was a lady who asked me a simple question, something like that: “What do you think about this cognac, is it okay?” That was a Russian lady and the question was in Russian. And I said in English: “Oh, I dunno…” in a voice like I’m retarded or maybe I have a hypoxia or something. She looked at me for about 2 or 3 seconds, no emotions on her face like she’s a Vulcan, turned around and walked away in silence. That was embarrassing.

Joking apart, I think you don't really need a grammar book when it comes to writing. At least, no more than I do. Your writing is very conversational, more firm and steady than mine.

Thank you. I see it like you paid me back for that middle name thing. I appreciate it.

I wonder what this Sputnik guy is doing at the moment and would he be able to join this conversation of ours?

Nobody wants to join this conversation; I don’t think he would be an exception even if he could.

Poor you... What is curious, I never go berserk like this, unless I feel like I was deeply deeply offended. But when misunderstood, I very easily fall into depression. It's like you are an outcast, a nobody, not needed to anyone in this world. Don't even know what is worse.

Being angry is much easier and it doesn’t hurt like those feelings.

Anyway, in all this story, I've been starting to realize one thing. People make their choices. There's no point in persuading or something.

Ha! And here comes the funny part. If by any chance you still remember, previously I said that I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad. The funny thing is… well, that’s the way it’s meant to be. I think people are kinda divided into two groups, ‘defenders’ and ‘explorers’.

Explorers are always trying something new and unusual. They don’t know why, they just find it only natural to be interested in everything and to try things. We need them to survive. Yeah, I know we’re all gonna die no matter what, but I’m talking about the whole human race. Explorers are our only chance to adapt to a constantly changing environment. And those guys need some secure place to fall back if something goes wrong during their explorations. Some kind of base of operations where they can heal injures between their enterprises.

That’s why we need defenders. It’s their job to keep that base of operations safe and secure. They don’t like all new and unusual because it could be dangerous and they just can’t allow any dangerous things here. That’s the place from where the new explorers will come. Without that place human race will cease to exist.

I find it kinda funny those two groups need each other so badly, but communication between the members of those groups could be so difficult and annoying.

I was always interested what the pronunciation of an experienced matrix student is like.

That makes two of us. Sometimes they say it’s very easy to forget I’m a… Well, I think I’ll never know the end of the sentence because they all always stop right there after the words ‘you are’. I’m not sure they’re talking about pronunciation. In any case, I consider these words as a compliment. No, I had nothing to correct. My English was ‘рЕдо’ and ‘Ундо’ (redo and undo). This is hardly an accent, this is not speaking at all.

Remember that girl who likes to hurt people but thinks she’s a tattoo artist? I think her pronunciation is slightly better than mine. That was before we started this conversation. That day I’ve got a hockey puck right into my mouth and that made me quite unsure about my pronunciation, at least for fe fime feing.

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You’re not gonna believe this!

That's fabulous! I laughed out loud. Actually, I do believe you, especially the part about the dream. I've always had very interesting dreams, the problem is that they are so difficult to remember and much more difficult to retell with keeping all my emotions from all those surreal things happening to me. You just have to be a very gifted writer to do that.

“What do you think about this cognac, is it okay?”... “Oh, I dunno…”

I guess I'd say the same in any language if asked this kind of question. I'm an absolute dummy when it comes to all those things that people like to poison themselves with.

That was embarrassing.

Relax! She must have thought that you're a foreigner. You said that there are many foreigners in your city, so that's probably OK.

Thank you. I see it like you paid me back for that middle name thing. I appreciate it.

I didn't even think about it, just said what I was thinking.

I think people are kinda divided into two groups, ‘defenders’ and ‘explorers’.

Sounds like quite a realistic theory... I've met exactly the same description of men and women in psychological books. Do you believe that men are natural born explorers (that's why absolute majority of scientists and engineers are male), and women vice versa? That's what we are going to discuss next time in our English club. Women and technical sciences, that's it.

Sometimes they say it’s very easy to forget I’m a… Well, I think I’ll never know the end of the sentence because they all always stop right there after the words ‘you are’.

...a foreigner? I just can't think of anything more witty and original than that.

I’m not sure they’re talking about pronunciation.

Yes! I'm absolutely sure that to "forget that you are..." proper articulation is far not enough. There should be something more to your personality that makes you sound so natural. Let me think... Love to the culture? Love to the language? The way you see yourself when you are speaking... say, like you picked an image you like, and put it on, like a costume, every time. I remember what plenty of people say about Hugh Laurie playing House. If they don't know, it doesn't even occur to them that he is British! And he started to learn the American accent when he was over forty years old.

My English was ‘рЕдо’ and ‘Ундо’ (redo and undo). This is hardly an accent, this is not speaking at all.

let me continue this list: валУе (value), сансЭл (cancel), фИле (file)... That's exactly what I hear from my workmates every single day. And all of them learned English in school and are capable of reading special literature. Isn't it crazy?

Remember that girl who likes to hurt people...

Does she, really? I'm not sure if I get what you mean, but this statement sounds, I must say, quite unexpected.
Anyway, I was just remembering her recently! I happened to find out that I was wrong and she didn't learn American pronunciation directly in America. It was in her hometown. Well, she has a kind of question page, where everyone can ask her anything. And somewhere at that page she said that she started to hang out with Mormons when studying in the university, and picked all the intonation and articulation from them. It's thanks to that time, and she was around seventeen to nineteen years old. And only after that she went to the US and stayed there.
What's interesting: she also said that her friends don't hear any accent in her speech... unless she is angry or tired. I think every Russian who studied English in school, has some imprint of "London iz ze kepital ov Greit Briten" that comes out in these moments, even if he has worked through a dozen of full matrixes. It's very sad, but what do you do...

I think her pronunciation is slightly better than mine.

Sounds sad also... I was hoping that mine would be better than hers.

That day I’ve got a hockey puck right into my mouth and that made me quite unsure about my pronunciation, at least for fe fime feing.

Do you play hockey? You are full of surprises!
It's a dangerous kind of sport, isn't it?

[Вэн Глин]

No accent

do you care about an accent yet? Do you afraid to be unreal and artificial?

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do you care about an accent yet? Do you afraid to be unreal and artificial?

No, not unreal or artificial...I am afraid to sound worse than what I hear, or, in other words, fail to complete what I know I can do, if I try.

[Вэн Глин]

in other words, fail to complete what I know I can do, if I try.

do you mean you are better then you are?

[Пушистая няшечка2]

do you mean you are better then you are?

Well, I don't know where is the limit to my abilities. What I'm trying to say regarding accent is this: when I read aloud a syllable from the matrix and it comes out ugly, it immediately strikes my ear. And after I try during one minute, and it's still ugly, still striking my ear - I'm starting to feel desperate and being afraid. I know what is wrong, but I can't find by feeling, what is right. That's why reading aloud is so stressful and I consider it as the hardest part of my work. German was much easier than English...

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Relax! She must have thought that you're a foreigner. You said that there are many foreigners in your city, so that's probably OK.

None of them say things like that in that kind of voice. She must have thought I’m a complete idiot. Maybe a foreigner, but still an idiot.

Sounds like quite a realistic theory... I've met exactly the same description of men and women in psychological books. Do you believe that men are natural born explorers (that's why absolute majority of scientists and engineers are male), and women vice versa?

Well, if those psychologists say so… Maybe they study real men and women and they know what they’re talking about. All I study is a bunch of fictional sci-fi characters, so my source of data might be not that reliable. Personally I can’t see how it could be true for men and women. I’m looking around me and I can see hundreds, the hell with hundreds, thousands male ‘defenders’. What’s wrong with them? I think there’s nothing wrong with them, it’s just that… well, I don’t know. Maybe that men and women thing is more complicated. If all men are natural born explorers, then why don’t we all explore something? Maybe we do, but I can’t see it for some reason?

...a foreigner? I just can't think of anything more witty and original than that.

It has to be either foreigner or Russian, but why don’t they say it? Maybe they consider these words offensive? I always wanted to ask them but I think I shouldn’t.

Love to the culture? Love to the language?

Definitely not these two things.

Does she, really? I'm not sure if I get what you mean, but this statement sounds, I must say, quite unexpected.

Of course she doesn’t. I was just kidding. Some people say dentists and tattoo artists like to hurt people. Speaking of dentists…

Do you play hockey?

Not exactly. It was just for my friend’s kids. Something happened to their coach (now I’m starting to think those kids just killed him) and they asked me to take his place for a couple of weeks. I never was a real hockey player, but I was the only sportsman available and I was supposed only to keep an eye on them, nothing more.

Sounds sad also... I was hoping that mine would be better than hers.

I’m sure that your accent would be better. I’m just not that young anymore and I think some light Russian accent wouldn’t hurt. I am Russian, after all.

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Well, if those psychologists say so… Maybe they study real men and women and they know what they’re talking about. All I study is a bunch of fictional sci-fi characters, so my source of data might be not that reliable.

Here you bring up a very difficult topic. I still have so few words to express myself that it's really irritating! But I'll try.
So, about men explorers. The explanation is usually like this: Back in those times when we lived in caves, men had to hunt and bring food home, and women had to stay and be good to each other, or otherwise they wouldn't get on well - and sweet home, place for hiding and healing your wounds and relaxation, would become a mess. So, century after century, we lived like that, and gradually it resulted in developing certain features in our nature. Modern boys like to take a toy and check how it was made, and girls just like it the way it is. Boys like walking outside, and girls stay home, in calm, and it's just fine for them. Men are usually interested in things, and women in people. Men like competition and they are the ones who are responsible for all the wars in this world. And 'woman in war', as we usually think, is something terribly wrong...
What is more, almost all inventors in this world are male. For example, you sure met hundreds of news like this: "A scientist from Japan/America/Europe had developed a concept of a new car, that works on oxygen, doesn't contaminate the environment, is capable of warp 9 and... blah blah blah". Can you imagine a woman creating something like this? I can't...
On the other hand, in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events there is a girl Violet, who likes to invent and build strange devices. But fiction - oh, that's absolutely another matter. There are plenty of female scientists, female captains, female warriors, female hackers. They all look so natural in their world, and are usually very charismatic. If by chance you've seen anything of Japanese anime, you probably saw there charming adolescents with big eyes who are so nice and sensible, but are perfectly trained to kill people. They looove to bring these characters into the plot. Maybe because teenagers love them, too. And there are plenty of these girls in American media (like, for example, la femme Nikita). Why do you think these strong women are so popular, if in real life men want to feel protective of women? Is there any connection between these phenomena?

I’m looking around me and I can see hundreds, the hell with hundreds, thousands male ‘defenders’. What’s wrong with them?

What exactly do you mean? They are not interested in learning anything new and don't even have a hobby? Or their views are so conservative that they strongly oppose any kind of new information?

It has to be either foreigner or Russian, but why don’t they say it? Maybe they consider these words offensive?

Hmmm... I don't think so. I discussed foreigner topic through and through with my pen pals from America. And light accents, and strong accents, and Russian mentality, - and there was no problem discussing this. In any case, I can suggest you one simple way to check this out. Next time they say "you are..." just complete it with one of the possible versions. If they mean the same, they will agree. If they consider it impolite, they'll immediately go into excuses and explanations. If they consider it SO impolite that won't be able to say a word... well, maybe there is a risk of such unpleasant situation, but I think it's small. If I were you, I'd try.

Definitely not these two things.

So you are telling me that you don't feel any love for American culture. Sounds strange. What about fiction? Wasn't it the very thing that inspired you to study the language in the first place? Or maybe I just misunderstood something?

Not exactly. It was just for my friend’s kids. Something happened to their coach (now I’m starting to think those kids just killed him) and they asked me to take his place for a couple of weeks.

I've had almost the same experience. My nephew (to be precise, first cousin once removed) is just a little devil. Not that he's unkind - when in good mood, he is cheerful and polite, - but he always does what he wants, and no restraint, no self-control - nothing. One time, when I visited their family, I got a heavy toy at my face. It was quite painful. I said: "What are you doing? It hurts!" But he apparently had no idea that people can be hurt when you throw something at them. No one explained him these obvious things. And when I refused to play with him any more, he simply hung on my leg, like a monkey, and I had to walk like this for a few minutes. It's amazing, how so little (and physically weak) things can be so persistent! Especially when parents permit them to do everything. I'd never be able to hit a child, but... don't you think it is a little too much for bringing up a self-confident person?

I’m sure that your accent would be better. I’m just not that young anymore and I think some light Russian accent wouldn’t hurt. I am Russian, after all.

Oh, thank you. Your words make me feel more calm and sure of my success. And by the way, I still can't believe you are not that young. I always had difficulties when communicating to people your age. Not only because they have their own "mature" interests, but just because most of them are so closed and private, and also so strict and serious that every time I try to share some thoughts or impressions with this person, I'm afraid of being criticized. I'm so glad that you are not like that. It makes our discussion a real pleasure.

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If by chance you've seen anything of Japanese anime, you probably saw there charming adolescents with big eyes who are so nice and sensible, but are perfectly trained to kill people.

Those eyes are freaking me out! I can’t watch this. Maybe I’m not as open-minded as I want to think of myself. Did you ever notice the size of their weapons? I think they really need to read some Freud.

Why do you think these strong women are so popular, if in real life men want to feel protective of women?

Because I want to feel protective of a strong woman. Feeling protective of a woman makes me feel stronger. Feeling protective of a strong woman makes me feel even more stronger. I enjoy this feeling. I can’t speak for all men, but that’s why I like those fictional female characters.

Is there any connection between these phenomena?

I got it all mixed up in my head. You tell me if you know the answer.

What exactly do you mean? They are not interested in learning anything new and don't even have a hobby? Or their views are so conservative that they strongly oppose any kind of new information?

Both. And if one of them has a hobby, he did pick it from the list of hobbies. Not too expensive, not too time consuming, perfect hobby. Just because he heard somewhere that people should have hobbies. He’s not really into that thing, he just picked it from the list.

If they consider it impolite, they'll immediately go into excuses and explanations.

I don’t want them to go into excuses. I like them. I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. On second thought, I think I’m going to take your advice because now it’s me, who’s starting to feel uncomfortable with that ‘you are…’ thing.

So you are telling me that you don't feel any love for American culture. Sounds strange. What about fiction? Wasn't it the very thing that inspired you to study the language in the first place? Or maybe I just misunderstood something?

Well, when you put it that way… Okay, maybe I just don’t want to admit it for some strange unknown reasons. And before that I said I love logic. How silly of me. By the way, I think that to be interested in something and to love something are not the same. It’s not that I disagree with you; it’s just a thought which suddenly crossed my mind out of nowhere. Okay, now you made me think about it. What a challenge, I almost forgot how to do it. Maybe I can’t say I love their culture because when it comes to literature or cinematography I don’t feel it like it’s theirs, I feel it like it’s mine.

I'd never be able to hit a child, but... don't you think it is a little too much for bringing up a self-confident person?

I know nothing about children. Maybe such behavior is okay for his age. ‘My’ kid with the puck was fifteen years old. He bought me three packs of my favorite beer and I promised I won’t tell his parents he was trying to kill me.

And by the way, I still can't believe you are not that young.

This is because I've not decided yet whether I'm young or not.
The pleasure is all mine.

[Пушистая няшечка2]

Those eyes are freaking me out! I can’t watch this.

Just to make it not so scary for you: this is a traditional artistic device intended to show the innocent soul of the character. The more cunning and tricky characters are, the less become their eyes, and the most cunning and tricky ones have so chinky eyes that they seem always closed! haha. Using these simple approaches, Japanese can make their cartoons very expressive.

Maybe I’m not as open-minded as I want to think of myself.

I think you are open-minded, this is just something not to your taste. It happens to me too. For example, I heard thousand times that the Twilight Saga is so popular, but I just don't like it and am not interested. Maybe it's strangely similar sickly-sweet faces of starring actors, I don't know, I just disliked them immediately. How rude of me. Fans would probably be offended.

Did you ever notice the size of their weapons? I think they really need to read some Freud.

Strange, but it never disturbed me. When you watch a cartoon, it's not like movie; all this grotesque distortion and exaggeration looks absolutely normal.

Because I want to feel protective of a strong woman. Feeling protective of a woman makes me feel stronger. Feeling protective of a strong woman makes me feel even more stronger. I enjoy this feeling. I can’t speak for all men, but that’s why I like those fictional female characters.

How very interesting! This is the first time I hear something like this. I've grown up under the impression that if a woman exceeds a man in something, he feels very uncomfortable and it scaries him away. I'll take your point of view into account.

Both. And if one of them has a hobby, he did pick it from the list of hobbies. Not too expensive, not too time consuming, perfect hobby. Just because he heard somewhere that people should have hobbies. He’s not really into that thing, he just picked it from the list.

Oh my, I don't know what to say. I can't imagine how is that possible - 'pick from a list and do it'. It's crazy! Perhaps he hasn't found yet what would really interest him? Or, what seems to me more likely, he is just a kind of person who isn't capable of strong emotions - a middling. According to the theory of normal distribution (you certainly know what is that), most of us are middlings, and there are only two percents of idiots and two percents of geniuses. And, what is even more curious, among men this difference is considered to be sharper. With men, you can meet such crazy idiots and bright stars that no woman could dream of. Women are more or less like each other. Wait, how does that correspond to the 'explorers' and 'defenders' theory? Now I got it all mixed up, too.

I don’t want them to go into excuses. I like them. I don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. On second thought, I think I’m going to take your advice because now it’s me, who’s starting to feel uncomfortable with that ‘you are…’ thing.

Do as your inner voice tells you. Speaking of western people, recently I've been having a very strong impression of them, that I can't yet explain... I see them as being more open and not so shy as Russian people. Have you noticed that our people are usually gloomy and look like monuments in public, and never get acquainted in the street or public places? And also our people have a lot of problems when expressing themselves, and are afraid to start speaking a foreign language, unlike foreigners, those are far more brave. They say "people differ", but I just can't help it - I see it like THEY certainly differ from US. Do you?

Maybe I can’t say I love their culture because when it comes to literature or cinematography I don’t feel it like it’s theirs, I feel it like it’s mine.

How unusual... I always thought people learn the language because they want to understand the culture deeper. Okay. You don't love, you are interested in. As you wish. But what about the language? When you know, not the translation, but how your favourite characters are really speaking - doesn't it make you closer to them?

I know nothing about children.

Me too. I'm very bad at dealing with kids (especially little ones) and feel uncomfortable in their presence. It's strange, because once I was a kid, so what's the problem? Maybe I just was a different child. Now I think that if I met a shy child (see them quite rarely nowadays), we'd definitely become friends.

‘My’ kid with the puck was fifteen years old. He bought me three packs of my favorite beer and I promised I won’t tell his parents he was trying to kill me.

Oh, fifteen. Is this a kid? I mean, those already know what they are doing. I'm sure he didn't mean to kill you and would be forgiven even without the present.

This is because I've not decided yet whether I'm young or not.

Well, if you ask me, you are fully grown up when it comes to self-organization! Of that I'm almost positive.

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Just to make it not so scary for you: this is a traditional artistic device intended to show the innocent soul of the character. The more cunning and tricky characters are, the less become their eyes, and the most cunning and tricky ones have so chinky eyes that they seem always closed! haha. Using these simple approaches, Japanese can make their cartoons very expressive.

Oh, I didn’t know that. This is interesting. Could you recommend one of those… er… I don’t know, cartoons maybe? It seems to me you know something about Japanese culture, so maybe you could answer a little question. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nfPDR3gGQc The red thing in the end, what is it? Is it a heart? What does it mean?

This is the first time I hear something like this.

Then why do you think those characters are so popular?

I've grown up under the impression that if a woman exceeds a man in something, he feels very uncomfortable and it scaries him away.

Yeah, I’ve heard about it dozens of times but never saw it with my own eyes.

Speaking of western people, recently I've been having a very strong impression of them, that I can't yet explain... I see them as being more open and not so shy as Russian people. Have you noticed that our people are usually gloomy and look like monuments in public, and never get acquainted in the street or public places? And also our people have a lot of problems when expressing themselves, and are afraid to start speaking a foreign language, unlike foreigners, those are far more brave. They say "people differ", but I just can't help it - I see it like THEY certainly differ from US. Do you?

Hmmm, this is a tough one. 1. I’ve never been there. All I know about how they act in public places is from the books, movies and from what they tell me about it. 2. I live in place where it’s okay to start conversations on the streets. 3. I like talking to strangers.

As you probably already guessed, I can’t see the difference. But it’s just me. I’m sure there is a difference, I just can’t see it.

But what about the language? When you know, not the translation, but how your favourite characters are really speaking - doesn't it make you closer to them?

Sure it does. That, along with the fact that now I can talk with actors who played them and writers who write about them, makes me feel… Okay, I have no idea how exactly it makes me feel but this is definitely something positive.

It's strange, because once I was a kid, so what's the problem?

Yeah, this is funny. I remember when I was around six I’ve noticed grown-ups forgot something very important about being a child. I promised to myself I’ll never forget this very important thing. I failed to keep that promise.

By the way, is it okay to say ‘it’ about a child if I don’t know its sex?

[Пушистая няшечка2]

The philosophical discussion about languages is gradually becoming a discussion about everything. Funny, isn't it? By the way, today I had another argument with one of innumerable matrixnonbelievers. I was so nervous, especially when heard "Nine hours one dialog? I'll go crazy!" that couldn't explain my point of view again. Should I start taking tranquilizers?

Oh, I didn’t know that. This is interesting. Could you recommend one of those… er… I don’t know, cartoons maybe?

Sure. I haven't seen as plenty as some fans have, but most of the series I picked were exactly the right choice, and those I'll introduce you with pleasure. That's only to name a few:

1. Elfen Lied - the very first series I've seen. A girl, who is not actually a girl but a 'species', runaway from the lab, causes chaos and panic around, and suffers from multiple personality disorder. Public opinions are sharply divided, ranging from those who say it's a masterpiece to those who say it's crap. I am among the first, although there are some moments that annoy me (e.g. when the girl's breast or other body part is suddenly naked - it has nothing to do with the plot and is made out of sheer fan service, that is, for guys). But on the whole, it was wonderful to see, especially for the first time.

2. Hikaru no Go - a sport series about a boy who met an ancient spirit of a brilliant Go player and decided to start playing this game. He is learning how to compete, master the skills, confront dishonest players and much more. All the characters have distinctive and lively personalities. 75 episodes - never boring. A very good one. Highly recommend.

3. Barefoot Gen - full-length Hiroshima historical drama. No comments.

4. Usavich. I love it! This is about two Russian rabbits imprisoned in Japanese jail. One of the brightest works in "what-the-hell-did-they-smoke?" style. 39 very short (about 1.5 min.) episodes, doesn't require translation. Sometimes they speak a few words in a wacky kind of Russian. Must see.

5. Death Note - a popular psychological thriller, maybe you heard about it. A smart school student found the 'death note' that gods had occasionally lost, and decided to proclaim himself the Justice For All. And on the other hand, a talented detective is trying to find out who this mysterious killer can possibly be. First half (somewhere up to 19th episode) is great, and the rest.. personally I didn't like it. It's just not the same.

6. Oruchuban Ebichu - that's a sitcom. A simple and naive she-hamster tries to help her bad-tempered mistress to fix her personal life problems. Black humor, crazy funny but so vulgar, it took me a few episodes to adapt.

7. FLCL - strange story involving robots, school students and a factory suburb. It's difficult to tell what it's all about, but I liked it very much. The soundtrack is also remarkable.

8. Full Metal Panic. A young boy who's a high-skilled and experienced soldier from an anti-terrorist organisation, has problems with living in normal society because he always sees the danger, which results in funny situations. I've seen the Season 1 - sometimes very cool, sometimes boring, and Fumoffu - a sitcom, always cool and never boring. The latter can be seen independently on the main line.

9. Full Metal Alchemist. The plot goes this way: two brothers had lost their mother and decided to use alchemy to resurrect her, which led to some unpleasant consequences. What was later I don't know yet. Everybody who saw the whole series say it's simply excellent, that's why I thought it would not hurt to mention this one.

10. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Very nice time travel movie, sometimes frightening, sometimes meditative, sometimes sad. Full-length.

11. Le Portrait de Petit Cossette. That one has much gothic in it, and I have a soft spot for gothic. Not sure about you, but.. let it stay in the list.

Oh, how many! I think that'll do...

*

As you might've noticed, there is a wide variety of genres. Many more than I named. Actually, "Japanese animation", as well as "Hollywood cinematography", is such a vague notion! Very hard to generalize.

And I need to say that all the cartoons are better be watched in the original language, with Russian/English subtitles. You can certainly guess why. Russian subtitles vary greatly in quality (especially fansubs), but among English subs, I've never met bad ones.

It seems to me you know something about Japanese culture, so maybe you could answer a little question. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nfPDR3gGQc The red thing in the end, what is it? Is it a heart? What does it mean?

Well, this heart has an unusual look, more like fire. Judging by what happened in the end, he gained his life power. Red color, among its other meanings, symbolizes life power, and fire also does. All the evidence fits. I'm not an expert and can't be sure though.

Then why do you think those characters are so popular?

I always knew that they are popular among girls, but was not so sure that they are popular among guys. Especially older generation. They prefer something more 'womanly'. Here's a real example. A few years ago I occasionally read an article about the pop singer Glukoza. You probably know her, once she used to be on TV and radio all day long. And the journalist who interviewed her, prefaced the article this way: "Frankly speaking, I was a little bit afraid, awaiting the 'cool girl' from the clip, with big boots and other attributes. I'm not a teenager anymore to be delighted by this kind of image. But what I saw was a beautiful and good-mannered young lady. It was a very nice surprise". Haha, and your opinion was exactly the same kind of surprise for me.

Hmmm, this is a tough one. 1. I’ve never been there. All I know about how they act in public places is from the books, movies and from what they tell me about it. 2. I live in place where it’s okay to start conversations on the streets. 3. I like talking to strangers.

As you probably already guessed, I can’t see the difference. But it’s just me. I’m sure there is a difference, I just can’t see it.

*puzzling over this mysterious place where you live* Fine. Let's take another look. Did you notice that when a westerner is speaking, he is very open in facial expression, his face is always moving, he is always moving himself. How many of adult Russian people behave like this?

By the way, is it okay to say ‘it’ about a child if I don’t know its sex?

Looks like the auto-correction here was finally switched off. Huff. What a relief!
I don't know... In theory it's okay, especially when you speak about a baby (very little one). But i never heard anyone say so.