Leningrad or Piter ?

[Alina Israeli]

>What do you think  while reading  a newspaper,,:
>"Petrogradskoje  upravlenje  vnutrennich del....,

Must have been "Petrogradskij rajon" of the city, not the city itself.

>v Leningradskoj oblasti.....

The city voted to have its name changed while the "oblast'" never did.
Moreover, within the religious subdivision, it is "Leningradskaja
eparxija".

>- gorod Piter ...,
>. v Sankt-Peterburge......"

Since "Sankt-Peterburg" is long and difficult to pronounce (I would also
add, lacks sonorants that are more pleasing to an ear; compare [sktp] to
[lnr] of "Leningrad". You could look at the made-up names for cars for
comparison, Elantra, come to mind), most people resort to a shorter and
easier name Piter.


_____________
Alina Israeli
LFS, American University
4400 Mass. Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016

phone:  (202) 885-2387
fax:    (202) 885-1076

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