эти проклятые порядковые числительные

[slovami.livejournal.com]

In class today we were reading out loud and came to the phrase:

люди XVII–XVIII веков (people of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries).

How would you read that? Please think about it before you look under the cut! Well, html isn't working so well in this browser, so just think about it before you read the next line.

The professor said it would be correct to say семнадцатых–восемнадцатых веков. But then one student said his old teacher taught him to say семнадцатого–восемнадцатого веков. Who is right?

Thanks!

Comments

[miconazole.livejournal.com]

I agree with your message in principle, and I don't think you've posted it enough to warrant being accused of sounding like a broken record. I also learn mostly by faffing about rather than formally studying. However, I've found that learning a rule or two will often make a lot of what you've picked up suddenly fall into place. More importantly, people post here to ask specific questions, and if you respond to every question with "read and listen more", then what's the point of having this community at all? ;)

[lingosteve.livejournal.com]

I agree that it is helpful to read the odd rule from time to time and it helps you to start noticing things that you might not otherwise notice. A short grammar reference book is something worth consulting from time time.

I think there is lots to talk about when it comes to learning Russian, one's experience, good sources of content etc.. I also expected that my comments might solicit some reaction, some different points of view, some different people's experiences or whatever.

Anyway, although I am a keen learner of Russian, maybe this community is not the place for me. I will see.