Re: Brothers Karamazov

Hi John,

The rules for Russian names and their many versions depending on speaker,
situation, etc. are wonderfully complex and lots of fun. I can send you a
general guide privately, if you'd like. IOn the other hand, if you do get
the new translation, that edition has a pretty good guide through the
characters and offers the following useful paragraph:

"Russian names are composed of first name, patronymic (from the father's
first name), and family name. Formal address requires the use of first name
and patronymic; diminutives are commonly used among family and friends and
are for the most part endearing, but in a certain blunt form (Katka, Mitka,
Alyoshka, Rakitka) can be insulting and dismissive [...] N.B. The "z" in
Karamazov is pronounced like the "z" in "zoo," not like the "z" in "Mozart."

Alyosha, of course, is one of the diminutives of Alexei Fyodorovich
Karamazov, known also as Alyosha, Alyoshka, Alyoshenka, Alyoshechka,
Alexeichik, Lyosha, and Lyoshenka to his family and friends and acquaintances.

My students loved all of this (he said sarcastically).

All the best,

--John

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Received on Mon Apr 14 16:15:28 2003