Hello. Nine years ago, during my own adoption process in Eastern Europe,
I created a CD of useful adoption phrases for children so I could learn to communicate with my daughter when
I picked her up. Lucky for me I had Bulgarian friends nearby who helped translate the phrase list and offered their
voices to record. Using my music production background, I created a CD of the spoken phrases with the right amount of
space between each phrase so I could rehearse along with it. I was happy to listen to the CD over and over in my car to
and from my job every day. It worked. When I picked up my daughter, she understood me. What a thrill that was for me. My
facilitator and the orphanage staff were also impressed. A few months later, after repeated requests from other adopting
families, I decided to start making the CD available.
After my daughter came home, I continued to be very involved with Eastern European adoptions, in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, and
Kazakhtsan helping bring families and kids together. I've been blessed to be able to participate in what is likely to be
the most important decision a couple or single parent will make in their lives.
Six years ago, I took the "best of" comments and suggestions I've received from adoptive families and introduced
the "Phrases for Children" series of language CDs and phrase books. You will find that there is
nothing out there quite like this for Cyrillic languages. Based on very thorough list of essential phrases, words and
yes/no type questions, you will find the CD and phrase books invaluable when you visit your children, travel home with them,
and bring them into your family. These are phrases and words that you as adoptive parents will be glad to know or have handy to
read from the phrase book. Click on each CD picture above for more details.
Five years ago, I released a special combined Ukrainian and Russian languages version for English speaking parents
adopting from Ukraine. It quickly became so popular, that I was running to the printer every month for more boxes of phrase
books! I started getting requests for a Russion-only version for families adopting from Russia and Kazakhstan too,
so I released that as well - it includes the Cyrillic spellings of every word and phrase for those of you who are as
curious about languages as I am. It is now the most popular version in the series.
Learning a Cyrillic language is a huge challenge. Commercial materials available tend to
focus on traveler's phrases and some require you learn the Cyrillic alphabet and grammar. Many oversimplify the language,
while others make it too complicated. I believe to learn a Cyrillic language without learning the alphabet, you need to hear it
spoken by native speakers and also see it phonetically in English. Hearing and seeing will make the subtle differences between the
male and female forms of certain phrases, or the differences between two languages much clearer.
Thousands of families have benefited from my CDs and phrase books - I've received countless numbers of positive and encouraging
letters and emails over the years. I've shipped orders to Canada, Spain, France, Guam, Ireland, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia,
and even Iceland! I never expected to be helping so many families worldwide.
"Everyone, including the children at the orphanage, was amazed
that I could speak the language!"
The CDs feature native speakers, both male and female, so you can hear how the phrases should sound.
"I have been all over the net looking for a CD like this...Thank you."
For more information, including how to order, click on any of the above CD cover images.
Produced by Fred Des Chenes. Copyright 2000-2010. All Rights Reserved Email: info@phrasesforchildren.com
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