“The unfolding of [Volf Karlovich’s transformation] is exquisite and credit must go to both the author and translator Lisa C. Hayden for the work they have done to imbue it with such tenderness and power.” Theme by Sanjagh, Praise for On Language and Value in American Speech, “Semeiotic Neostructuralism” Publications of Michael Shapiro in Peircean Linguistics (through 2019), When Only Learnèd (Recondite, Recherché) Words Will Do, The Glossary of Useful Words 18: âafflatusâ, âHesitancyâ vs. âHesitation:â The Dominance of Grammatical Structure, Differences in Speech Styles: Garrulity vs. Taciturnity, Further to Linguistic Dross in American Media Language, When English Just Wonât Serve, French Comes to the Rescue, Persistence of a Catachrestic Phrase (*good-paying), The Glossary of Useful Words 17: âvaingloryâ, Irregular Assimilative Voicing in English, The Glossary of Useful Words 17: ‘vainglory’. In modern Russian, names consist of a GIVEN NAME (imia), a PATRONYMIC (otchestvo), and a SURNAME (familiia), but as Tumanova notes quite well: "Russian naming conventions for early period are first name (baptismal name, usually that of a Biblical saint), followed by the everyday or common first name, patronymic, and rarely a surname. Learn or review dining etiquette for Russia. The female patronymics end in -ovna or -evna. Or the Russian naming system. One should take extreme caution while crossing the street, as most drivers are oblivious to crosswalks and have complete disregard for pedestrian traffic. The word or phrase meaning "son of" is, however, omitted. Patronymics (from the Greek pater, meaning "father," and onoma, for "name") is the process of designating a surname based upon the given name of the father, thus consistently changing the family surname from one generation to the next. The existence of this onomastic pattern in Russian turns out to be uniquely useful as a cultural norm in ordinary discourse because if affords an intermediate stylistic means for addressing persons with whom the use of the forename alone would be ruled out because of familiarity and that of the surname preceded by a title (like Mister or Professor) awkward because of its formality. Thus, for instance, a student can avail him/herself of the forename + patronymic in addressing a professor instead of resorting to the equivalent combination in the typical Western European formal pattern. – Many Russians speak English as it is often taught at school. What you took for short forms are merely phonetic reductions. Meeting new people is a lot more awkward than it should be because my nam… Hi, I have a question. Zuleikha, which won Russia’s Big Book and Yasnaya Polyana literary awards, tells the story of the transformation of a Tatar woman who is exiled to the Siberian wilderness in the 1930s. patronymic (plural patronymics) 1. 1. 's name is derived from the father's first name and usually serves as a middle name for Russians. More precisely, Russian names started only as a given na… Russian naming conventions for mid to late period are first name, patronymic, and surname" (1989: 4). They come from the Bible, or can be of Greek (most names, in fact), Latin or old Slavic origin. Bring a gift for the hostess when visiting a Russian home. A name acquired from one's father. ("Ivan Ilyich" is a name familiar to Tolstoy wonks, who will tell you that that's not the character's full name; Soviet history buffs will tell you the same about Ivan Denisovich.) 3. 4. Russian Dining Etiquette. Therefore, they are formed by some kind of a natural process. It represents the name of the father of the child with the addition of a suffix. Then, the family name is often placed first (Петров Иван Иванович, Petrov Ivan Ivanovich). 2. The exception to this is addressing small children, teenagers and perhaps adults in their early twenties, where normally a patronymic is not appropriate in modern Russian. Russian middle names are formed by adding suffixes to the father’s first name. This person's full name includes his last name as well, perhaps Ivan Petrovich Kuznetsov. Patronymic, name derived from that of a father or paternal ancestor, usually by the addition of a suffix or prefix meaning “son.” Thus the Scottish name MacDonald originally meant “son of Donald.” Usually the “son” affix is attached to a baptismal name, but it is also possible to attach it to the father’s occupation (e.g., Clerkson).). The patronymic of a woman generally has the suffix -овна rather than -овиÑ, so Ivan's sister would have the patronymic ÐеÑÑÑвна. Start with your father's name then follow the rules below. What to call Russians. If your father has foreign name, you still have a patronymic. What would his/her patronymic be, given that they do not have a father, assuming that the father is not known. Russian is the only language frequently encountered in radio that is written originally in a different alphabet: Cyrillic. Anosognosic Speech Habits: Just an Idiosyncrasy? In Russian, therefore, Y-H-B––whose father’s name was Constantine, i. e., Константин in its Russian form–– goes by Михаил Константинoвич ‘Michael son of Constantine’ with stress on the ultima in the forename and the antepenult in the patronymic. Surnames derived from given male names are common. Re: Russian patronymics - Laslow Oct 31 2017, 1:16:26 PM. Is there a simple rule to form them? A good rule of thumb is to use a person's first name and patronymic until you're advised otherwise. In colloquial speech the patronymic can be and is used alone as a substitute for the forename. If she doesn't know the father's name, she may give you her own patronymic. According to the applicant, for many years she had been living as part … For sons use the first "вич" (vich) forms. Michael Shapiro: Sound and Meaning in Shakespeare’s Sonnets All Rights Reserved. The polite form of address in Russian, corresponding to English 'Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss,' includes two words: first name and patronymic, e.g. Every Russian has three names: First name, patronymic (middle name, derived from one’s father’s first name) and surname. The social conventions regarding the use of first names only, first names and patronymics, patronymics only, last names only, etc., are very complicated. For example, Ilyich and Petrovna are never reduced. Although Russia is the biggest country in the world and has played a prominent role in modern world history, few people have any first-hand knowledge of Russia or the Russians, let alone of the Russian language. Grammar made simple. Your email address will not be published. © 1981,1982,1991 by R.L.Leed, A.D.Nakhimovsky, A.S.Nakhimovsky. When I introduce myself to a non-Russian speaker, that person has the misfortune of downgrading their relationship with me from “stranger” to “acquaintance.” We squirm in unison as my new acquaintance tries to pronounce my name and fails miserably. In colloquial speech the patronymic can be and is used alone as a substitute for the forename. You may use these HTML tags and attributes:
. One of the special linguistic and cultural features of the latter (which it shares with the other East Slavic languages) is the obligatory use of an individual’s father’s name plus the suffix {ov/-ič} for males and {ov/ič + -na} for females–called a patronymic (pronounced [ˌpætrəˈnɪmɪk])––as a middle name between one’s given name and surname. 2. This triplet appears on all formal documents, and the first two together (i.e., the forename and patronymic) are routinely used in formal and semi-formal speech (minus the surname). Everyone in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus is supposed to have three names. Common Russian etiquette dictates that they often put more food on the table than can be eaten to indicate there is an abundance of food. Most Russian surnames end in -ov or -ev. First (Christian) names are usually traditional. A good rule of thumb is to use a person's first name and patronymic until you're advised otherwise. (by extension) A name acquired from one's father's, grandfather's or earlier (male) ancestor's first name. Russian and Ukrainian drivers are chronic offenders of traffic rules. No. • The full three-name form (for instance, Иван Иванович Петров Ivan Ivanovich Petrov) is used mostly for official documents. ePub $0.99 | Mobi $0.99, Michael Shapiro: On Language and Value in American Speech: With a Semeiotic Appendix, Michael Shapiro: The Speaking Self: Language Lore and English Usage, Language Lore Copyright (C) 2014. But I am adding it for completeness anyway. The basic rules are: 2.1. The patronymic is formed by the father's first name and different suffixes depending on gender. In modern Russia, names consist of a GIVEN NAME (imia), a PATRONYMIC (otchestvo), and a SURNAME (familiia). Patronymics are derived from the father's given name and end with -ovich or -evich. When men shake hands with women, the handshake is less firm. The patronymic is one of the most confusing aspects of the Russian naming system, but the explanation for how they work is really quite simple. Female forms of this ty… However, what would you do if, for example, you were naming an orphan? "Ekaterina Ivanovna" or their diminutive. Russia: The People. I’m essentially punishing them for the simple courtesy of addressing me by name instead of simply saying “You there, Russian girl.” How dare they treat me with such dignity and respect. The middle name is called the patronymic, because it is derived from the father's first name; thus, the father of ÐвÑн ÐеÑÑÑÐ²Ð¸Ñ has the first name ÐÑÑÑ. The toughest grammar rules are presented in easy-to-use charts with explanations and exercises you can bookmark for future viewing or print if you prefer hard copies. If you are called Andrey Borisovich, it means that you are a male, and definitely the son of Boris. The typical greeting is a firm, almost bone-crushing handshake while maintaining direct eye contact and giving the appropriate greeting for the time of day. Russians are great hosts and love entertaining guests in their homes. I realize it's probably a little different in Russian/Cyrillic. ÐвÑн ÐеÑÑÑÐ²Ð¸Ñ 'Ivan Petrovich.' In Russian, though, a person is presented by last name, patronymic and first name (in all official documents, you may see the abbreviation Ф.И.О.). Some cultures use a patronymic where other cultures use a surname or family name; other cultures (like Russia) use both a patronymic and a surname. – Russians tend not to speak too loudly in public. Patronymic is a mandatory element of the naming system in Russia. Mostly, we use full names in some formal situations — for example, business or just unknown person. Women's patronymics end in o vna or evna. The suffixes depend on the ending of the father’s name. Language as Semeiotic: The Peircean Underpinnings. – A good topic of conversation is usually the changes taking place in Russia – feel welcome to express your views, do not remain just a listener. Forming a Russian Patronmimic Name. But it will rarely be spoken. In Russia, when you're referring to someone in a formal setting, you don't just use their first name, but their first name and patronymic, i.e. Messages in this thread: Russian patronymics - Alex Oct 30 2017, 8:26:29 PM. Every Russian person has and uses all three names. Speed limits have little significance and red lights are frequently ignored. Topics for include, among others, mealtimes and typical food, national drinks, toasts, table manners, tipping etiquette, business lunch etiquette, host etiquette, guest etiquette, regional differences, dining etiquette in the home, and dining etiquette at a restaurant. Also, where do –sky and –skya come in in terms of these rules? Russian aliases or thumbnails are just short forms of the first name. This form is also used on some very formal occasions and for introducing oneself to a person who is likely to write down the full name, like a police officer. So I know the structure of Russian names: given, then patronymic, then surname. Russian patronymic is a name derived from the father's first name by adding -ович/-евич (son of) for male, or -овна/-евна (daughter of) for females. The patronymic exists in many languages, but in Russia it can be mind-blowing. If you are invited to a Russian home for a meal, arrive on time and bring a small gift (men are expected to bring flowers). ... As a general rule, do not give items that are now easily obtainable in Russia. But Russians use nicknames to communicate with friends, relatives and just acquaintances We use short forms of names just because it’s really easier sometimes to pronounce them. Russian full names. Oddly, even though addressing a person by the first name and patronymic is very formal, addressing them with the patronymic alone is seen as hig… When close male friends meet, they may pat each other on the back and hug. Respond. Thanks in advance! Do all Russian patronymics have such forms? For daughters use the "вна" (vna) forms. Every Russian person has and uses all three names. (Russian: Анна Андреевна Ахматова) The middle name is called patronymic (Russian: отчество). Men have patronymics that end in ovich or evich. If your father is unknown, your mother gives you some patronymic soon after your birth. Instead, most Swedes followed a patronymic naming system, practiced by about 90–95% of the population. So Mohamed son of Ibrahim son of Ahmed is "Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed", and Mohamed Ibrahim Ahmed's son Ali is "Ali Mohamed Ibrahim". Traditionally Muslim and non-Arabic speaking African people, such as Hausa and Fulani people usually (with some exceptions) follow the Arab naming pattern. In allegro speech routinely and a few instances regularly for all styles, the patronymic utilizes a contracted version of the father’s forename, so that, for example, Y-H-B’s daughter Abigail (‘father’s joy’ in Hebrew, as in reality) is called Авигея Михайловна ‘Abigail daughter of Michael’. For free email notification of new blog posts, please enter your address in the field below, and then click Subscribe. As it happens, a particular irony of Y-H-B’s forename and patronymic duo is the fact that Mikhaíl Konstantínovich just happens to be the name historically of a Grand Duke (Великий Князь in Russian), i. e., a member of the Russian Imperial family. in correspondence or in the man's passport. The exception to this is addressing small children, teenagers and perhaps adults in their early twenties, where normally a patronymic is not appropriate in modern Russian. When female friends meet, they kiss on the cheek three times, starting with the left and then alternating. Rich variety of firsthand and regularly supplemented information on Russian culture: daily news of important events, articles on Russian arts, music, theatre, cinema, history, national traditions, cuisine, etc., as well as many-sided biographies of outstanding figures of Russian culture, and useful references to the best museums, reserves, and theatres of this country. A field “patronymic” became mandatory for the residents of Russia in the 18 th century. The full official name is Surname - First Name - Patronymic (name based on one’s father). It is customary in Russia to use patronymics as middle names. In Russia, almost every document about a person includes a patronymic, so everyone needs it. Powered by WordPress. You can be sure, therefore, that when he introduces himself for the first time to a Russian speaker by saying his forename and patronymic, he never misses the opportunity to add the phrase “like the Grand Duke.”. Always remember that when you read a Russian name on a CD or LP cover (unless it's the Melodiya label and you know how to read the original Cyrillic), you're reading a transliteration: the Latin letters are put together artificially to reproduce the sounds of the name. This triplet appears on all formal documents, and the first two together (i.e., the forename and patronymic) are routinely used in formal and semi-formal speech (minus the surname). 2013 May 16, European Court of Human Rights, Garnaga v. Ukraine, number 20390/07, marginal 7–10: 2.1.1. Anything I might've missed? Helpful Hints. Patronymic names are rarely used between young people, friends, relatives and close acquaintances. A small gift for a Russian child is always appropriate (and appreciated). In some situations, the full name will certainly be used, e.g. The first portion of a Russian's name (and possibly in other Orthodox countries as well) is a saint's name, generally one of the saints that is celebrated on the child's brithday or eight days later - because eight days after the birthday is generally when children are baptized.. The full set of rules of how Russians address each other is much more convoluted and it’s not something I miss. The case of the name Михаил ‘Michael’ is unique as to vowel contraction because in fact the last vowel is elided before the patronymic in formal speech as well, as it is in the patronymic, so that Y-H-B’s name comes out as Михал Констиныч (note the dropping of the suffix {-ov-}), and his daughter’s as Авигея Михална.