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>>>I spent about a year in Moldavia (Moldova ?) and am ashamed to admit how little Russian I learnt. Counting, ordering a meal, some computer terminology and the Russian chess terms were about it (but at least my chess improved a lot).
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>>>The project co-ordinator was a former military attache at the U.K. Moscow embassy and spoke perfect Russian - to the point where Russians on-site thought he *was* Russian. I think he made a *lot* of money as the USSR opened up to foreign investment :-{
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>>I think that your problem was that you were in Moldavia (and not your lack of effort or talent) :) (To explain; moldova people were butt of many jokes in the former USSR (and maybe even know) as not the brightest bulbs in the chandelier (just my way of putting it) :)
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>I know (but don't agree :-} ). But a significant percentage of the population *were* Russian - especially the computer types I worked with. IIRC there was a definite drive to move native Russians into the satellite countries but many have now returned (not being exactly popular in their new abodes)
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You are right; I think there were more ethnic Russians in Moldova than ethnic moldovan.

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>>IMHO, Russian is probably one of the most difficult languages to speak (but easy to read). So any english speaking person who learns it well deserves great deal of credit.
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>Easy to read ?? Once you have mastered a different alphabet maybe - especially since many characters have the same appearance but are pronounced completely differently :-{

You are right again; once you know the alphabet it is fairly easy, since - unlike English - most words are read phonetically, as as written. My younger daughter (born in USA) does not speak Russian but many years ago learned Russian alphabet. Now she can read (though very slowly) signs, short sentences, etc.. often without understanding. But she actually understands Russian well even though won't admit it.