V Sibiri and V Krimu

[pjs]

By the way, the reason we say "V Sibiri" and "V Krimu" is that because,
prior to their absorption (!) into the Russian Empire, they were
indepedent Tartar khanates, and the 'v' usage just stuck.

Compare to regional "na Donu", "na Urale" where the possibility of "v" has
never arisen.

Whether "Ukraina" should take 'v' or 'na' has become a political issue,
and can no longer be adjudicated on a purely lingusitic basis.

Peter Scotto
Mount Holyoke College

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