Russian grammatical questions: Alaska and Hawaii

[Harris, Adrienne M.]

Dear Seelangers, 

I've seen both prepositions v and na used before Alaska.  Are both acceptable or would v Aliaske be considered a substandard form?  I'm assuming that it's historically been "na Aliaske", but that the speakers have gradually been replacing na with v--is that the case?   Is there any difference in meaning?   

Along those lines, I've always thought that Hawaii was indeclinable, but I'm finding examples in which it is declined using plural forms.  Are both options correct?

Thank you in advance!

Adrienne M. Harris, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Russian
Modern Foreign Languages
Baylor University

One Bear Place #97391
Waco, TX 76798-7391
(254) 710-3898
Adrienne_Harris at baylor.edu

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