Russian Word Roots: Volume 2: An Introduction to the Word-Formation System

Russian Word Roots: Volume 2 provides a systemic approach to Russian vocabulary acquisition, focusing on the second most productive set of Russian word roots and their word formation system to allow students to master both active and passive vocabulary more quickly.

Each of the 15 alphabetically organized chapters focuses on a specific word root, including a list of vocabulary based on the root along with various exercises designed to review the acquired vocabulary to solidify students’ grasp of word formation. With this textbook, students will learn approximately 300 new words and improve their ability to deduce the meanings of new words through common roots. They will also gain a deeper understanding of the meanings of prefixes and suffixes, enhancing their ability to communicate more precisely. This second volume continues to not only strengthen the students’ Russian language but also sharpen linguistic skills in their native language by cultivating an awareness of semantic similarities across languages.

Russian Word Roots: Volume 2 is ideal for students with a Novice High to Intermediate Low and higher proficiency in Russian on the ACTFL scale and an existing understanding of basic grammar concepts, including verb conjugation, cases, and word formation patterns.

Julia Katsnelson is a senior lecturer in the Russian Program in the School of World Languages and Cultures at the University of Vermont and in the Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian at Middlebury College, USA.