January 01, 2021 2020 in Words By Michele A. Berdy 2020 will surely go down in Russian history as one of the most word-productive years since the changes of 1917 and 1992. Health Language
November 01, 2020 Leap Year Language By Michele A. Berdy Superstitious Russians — 99 percent of my acquaintances — believe that any високосный год (leap year) is an unlucky year. I scoffed until 2020. Culture Language
September 01, 2020 Setting the Table By Michele A. Berdy Some linguistic tips on how to be a good dinner guest. Customs Language
July 01, 2020 The Year of the Crown By Michele A. Berdy As the коронавирусная пандемия (the coronavirus pandemic) still affects just about every aspect of our lives, it has, of course, been changing the way we speak. Health Language CVSG
May 01, 2020 Opening the Floodgates By Michele A. Berdy No matter what Russia does, it can’t seem to dam up the flood of Anglicisms. Humor Language
March 01, 2020 Whatever it is, we're against it By Michele A. Berdy If you believe the papers, Russia is in the grips of протестное настроение, which literally means a mood for protest, but which might be better translated as “loaded for bear.” Government Language Politics
January 01, 2020 Ringing in the Plump New Year By Michele A. Berdy It’s that time of year: Americans are busy making — and breaking — their New Year’s resolutions. Russians are too smart to put themselves through such torture. Health Language
November 01, 2019 Baby, It's Cold Inside By Michele A. Berdy Every autumn, Russians only have one question: Когда начнётся отопительный сезон!? (When are they going to turn on the heat?)
September 01, 2019 Climate Chaos and Fall Colors By Michele A. Berdy On the language of fall and a changing climate. Environment Language
July 01, 2019 No, Nicely By Michele A. Berdy If it’s hard to gracefully say “no” in English, how much harder is it in Russian, where dissembling requires linguistic gifts that you might not have yet developed? Customs Language
May 01, 2019 Spring has (Not) Sprung By Michele A. Berdy In early March, when Moscow is still buried under more than a meter of snow and people are buried under many inches of fur and heavy wool, there is nothing more annoying than Instagram photos of daffodils, forsythia and cherry blossom buds. Customs Humor Language
March 01, 2019 Funny Little Characters By Michele A. Berdy If a Russian fox met an American fox, would they get along? If Russian folklore is to be trusted, the answer is a definite нет (no). Language