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Help[Opinions] Re: Olga and Karlo
in reply to a message by Saana
Olga is, hands down, one of my least favourite Russian names. Sorry. I could go on about it, but there's nothing nice I can think about it which is why I won't say anything at all. I've spend years studying Russian history/politics and it's by fair one of my favourite classes, but I could easily overlook the Romanov connection not out of ignorance (I find it rather snobbish that such would be suggested ignorant. It isn't a subject widely taught in some countries, and some people just aren't interested in Russian history as I've found out since I started university all those years ago. Each to their own) just because in the great scheme of Russian history, culture and politics there's much more going on than Nikolai's ill fated family. I did meet an Ola today, which seems to be occasionally used in Russia, at least more than I knew, and is infinitely prettier than Olga. I don't know... I guess the 'g' is too harsh for me.
Anastasia/ Anastasiya is far too frilly for me. Besides, in Russia it has the horrible diminutive Nastya, which is just... eugh. We know a really unfriendly, rude woman called Anastasiya who goes by Nastya and we call her 'Nasty Nastya'. That is something that'll probably never leave me.
I like Karlo, though. I usually don't like names beginning in K, but this one is actually quite appealing, perhaps even more than Carlo (and since I inherently prefer C over K in 98% of names, this is really a statement indeed).
Oops... and Alexandria is very pretty. So 'yes' - Alexandria, Karlo. 'Pass' - Olga, Anastasia.
Anastasia/ Anastasiya is far too frilly for me. Besides, in Russia it has the horrible diminutive Nastya, which is just... eugh. We know a really unfriendly, rude woman called Anastasiya who goes by Nastya and we call her 'Nasty Nastya'. That is something that'll probably never leave me.
I like Karlo, though. I usually don't like names beginning in K, but this one is actually quite appealing, perhaps even more than Carlo (and since I inherently prefer C over K in 98% of names, this is really a statement indeed).
Oops... and Alexandria is very pretty. So 'yes' - Alexandria, Karlo. 'Pass' - Olga, Anastasia.
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I wasn't trying to be snobbish in my comments. I work with students who are immigrants, and spend time in classes with American students. I've seen what they are lie in class. Either they don't want to appear smart, or they really don't bother remembering things because someone else could tell them again later. Also, for world history classes, the names of everyone in a royal family isn't important. Just the ruling monarchs are, and occasionally a spouse if the marriage was an important political one. Knowing the names of Nicholas II's children (Maria, Olga, Tatiana, Anastasia, and Alexei) isn't that high on the list of things to learn because they didn't do much to affect history.
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...I'm not starting an argument, but re: the names, that was exactly what I was saying. There's no shame in not knowing Nikolai II's children, as they weren't exactly politically or historically interesting or important in the great scheme of things. I specifically study Russian language and society and generally study European culture and history as part of my course, so I kind of know these things already. Besides, I think it's a bit unfair to paint every "immigrant" student with the same brush and label them as you have in opposition to, for example, 'hard working and talented' American students. I'll refrain from repeating what some ignorant people have to say on such matters.
None the lessss... I think we're going to have to agree to differ and leave it at that. This was about names, not politics... although I have an unfortunate opinion to be heavy handed and clueless on these matters and bring them up where not needed or wanted. My apologies for that fact.
None the lessss... I think we're going to have to agree to differ and leave it at that. This was about names, not politics... although I have an unfortunate opinion to be heavy handed and clueless on these matters and bring them up where not needed or wanted. My apologies for that fact.
This message was edited 5/23/2011, 7:56 AM
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I wasn't trying to start a fight either. I majored in Russian (unfortuantely I haven't used my Russian degree at all since graduation). I wasn't talking about the immigrants- they are learning so much more that their classmates that they can't remember everything, but all students in general from what I've seen. There are far too many who don't want to learn. I'm fine with agreeing to disagree.
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