Kiev or Kiev? Киев или Київ?

[Manny]

In Kiev - how most people there like us to spell 'Kiev' - as in  Ukrainian it is said 'Key iv, rather than the Russian way Key eff -

The OP should know that he is not wrong: http://www.businessinsider.com/kiev-or-Kiev-2014-1?IR=T

[msmoby]

In Kiev - how most people there like us to spell 'Kiev' - as in  Ukrainian it is said 'Key iv, rather than the Russian way Key eff -

The OP should know that he is not wrong: http://www.businessinsider.com/kiev-or-Kiev-2014-1?IR=T

Manny,

Pls let's keep politics out of this... I have been there lots more times than you and I don't speak Ukrainian. 

This is how most people there say the name of THEIR city.  They wanted us to stop saying THE Ukraine and to spell / say it Kiev.. ! 

If I was going to Lugansk..I'd say that ..not Lugansk...  When in Rome...and all that..

A visit to the US / UK embassy websites or looking at the road sign from the airport to the centre is a clue...

IF you check your archives ..from 2006/7 you'll find westerners are often corrected ...if we say Spasibo, when thanking...You may get a smile and a Dyakayu..the Ukrainian variant as a hint !) 

Westerners are not expected to understand the nuances and saying Kiev should not offend most people.











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[Manny]

Westerners are not expected to understand the nuances and saying Kiev should not offend most people.

Exactly my point. In English we say Kiev. Unless one wishes to use the State Dept as a style guide.

As I said, the OP is not wrong. Nor are you. One has a choice, but newcomers should not be told something is wrong when it isn't.

[msmoby]

Manny!

He is going to Kiev and I offered my experience of my first timer 'mistakes'... in the eyes of the residents of that city.

Teamplayet.. ignore us ))





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[Volshe]

Kiev

Kiev

It's Київ 

I write Kiev, because that's how i learned to write it; seems Kiev is the spelling targeting English natives - it's easier to pronounce (closer to the original pronunciation; besides Kiev could be spelling used with supporters of the current regime and Kiev could be written by someone who, rightly or not, thinks they are a bunch of crooks who seized the power by a coup d'état.)

@ the OP

ignore us ))

and, unless you are a gvmnt representative to whom it's crucial, stick to whichever spelling your significant other prefers

[msmoby]

Moby defers to Volshe..

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[Markje]

I have been to kiev/Kiev multiple times, to me it wasn't clear which spelling was preferred.

As Moby points out, roadsigns often say Kiev, but then again they just as much say kiev.
Restaurants use kiev almost as often as Kiev and many other discrepancies also exist.

However, with the new government since 2014, this may have changed.

@OP : Use whatever you think would be appropriate, i doubt either will offend anyone if they know you're an outsider.

[Dogsoldier]

Manny!

He is going to Kiev and I offered my experience of my first timer 'mistakes'... in the eyes of the residents of that city.

Teamplayet.. ignore us ))





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I've never been corrected in how I've pronounced Kiev or Kiev.
As far as I am aware Russian is widely spoken. There may be places to the west where Uktainian is the norm but not in most of Ukraine. The country hasn't just stopped speaking russian overnight and switched to Ukrainian!!!!

[msmoby]

I have also never been corrected  re the pronounciation of Kiev / Kiev....  I just listen to how most people there say it and can read the road signs !))

@  the OP

Forgive me for mentioning this and diverting your thread....)

Can we offer him any other advice?

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[Dogsoldier]

I have also never been corrected  re the pronounciation of Kiev / Kiev....  I just listen to how most people there say it and can read the road signs !))

@  the OP

Forgive me for mentioning this and diverting your thread....)

Can we offer him any other advice?

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I just do as the wife tells me...lol.
I will be in Kiev/ Kiev next week and can report back.

[Volshe]

I just do as the wife tells me...lol.
I will be in Kiev/ Kiev next week and can report back.

 

Maybe we could make separate topic about this? It is interesting, but i think not for the OP

It's the same in former Yugoslavia btw, if you get it someone doesn't have a clue - anything goes, but if it's deliberate, then...  The thing is that we mostly chilled down, where as Ukraine is still boiling; if the OP happens upon someone who has an ephemeral psychosis (and that happens a lot during such turbulent times), if he encounters someone who lost a family member on either of the sides etc., it can get TOUGH and sensitive, that's why i wrote better playing totally dumb 

[Ste]

The day Tesco start selling Chicken Kiev I'll stop saying Kiev.......

[Danchik]

The day Tesco start selling Chicken Kiev I'll stop saying Kiev.......

to the OP; no jokes/attempts at humour like this with your lady. Thanks Ste.

[msmoby]

The day Tesco start selling Chicken Kiev I'll stop saying Kiev.......

Rolf....

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