learn_russian | Jan. 7th, 2007

Some prefer to learn, first the rules and then the exceptions.

Alternatively, one can focus on the exceptions as a means of better understanding the rules. Personally, I find that learning exceptions gives me better insight into the logic of rules.

As such, one could say, "If you know the exceptions, then you know when and how to apply the rules".

Naturally, everyONE does what works for THEM. (An English language exception, for those into prescriptive grammar.)

For example, "врач пришлА, онА прекраснЫЙ врач" - "The doctor arrived, she's an excellent doctor."

This acknowledges the successful entry of women into previously all male professions (descriptive grammar), while attempting to maintain the integrity of the rule concerning gender agreement of adjectives and nouns (prescriptive grammar).

In English an equivalent could be, "She's the chairman of the company". (As opposed to "chairwoman", "chairperson" or just "chair".)

On the other hand, there is a group of words that are "androgynous". These include, for example:

1. пьяницА - drunkard (Он безотраднЫЙ пьяницА - He's a wretched drunkard; Она безотраднАЯ пьяницА - She's a wretched drunkard)

2. сиротА - orphan (Он беднЫЙ сиротА - He's a poor orphan; Она беднАЯ сиротА - She's a poor orphan)

3. умницА! - smart guy! / smart girl!

And others....