(no subject)

[crimson-clover.livejournal.com]

Hello! I thought I'd introduce myself, since I've been lurking around for awhile...and I have a question. :)

I've been taking Russian for 2 years now (well, 4 semesters) and I am going to St. Petersburg this fall semester to study in an intensive language program at St. Petersburg State University. Needless to say, I am really excited.

The last post reminded me of a question I had when filling out all my forms and whatnot. My last name is Gorsuch, pronounced like the English words "gore such" (Of course I get a lot of Gorsch and Gorsook mispronounciations as well :) When I try to transliterate my last name I can't find a good letter for the "uh" sound in the "such". I think I ended up going with " Горсуч " . Not that it really matters in the long run I guess, and maybe I missed something really obvious, but I was wondering what you all thought about how to best transliterate that sound?

Thanks! I really enjoy this community and reading all the questions and responses. :)

Comments

[wolfie-18.livejournal.com]

The best thing to do it to spell it as Горсоч, since remember, only when the o is stressed does it have that "nOrth" sound. Otherwise, it's like "a" in "Attorney." Just tell people that the first syllable is the accented one.

[crimson-clover.livejournal.com]

That's a good point about the stress being on the first syllable; I always forget about stresses! Thanks.

[trulala.livejournal.com]

Горсуч sounds kinda obscene :) I guess, Горсач would be the best choice, and it's the easiest for native russians.

[crimson-clover.livejournal.com]

Oh no, that's what I was afraid of! Oh well.

[crimson-clover.livejournal.com]

Although one semester I did have an instructor (not in Russian class, but he was from Russia) whose family name sounded like the English word for a male prostitute. He pointed this out on the first day of class and we all had a little laugh ( he was a great teacher.) I guess some cases it just can't be helped :)

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

In Russian, Горсуч sounds like an abbreviated name of a city-owned bad women authority ;-)) Горсач is quite neutral.

[dancing-lizard.livejournal.com]

Heheheh, a really funny interpretation of 'Горсуч'. I agree, it's important how it sounds for the Russians.

[cema.livejournal.com]

I think there is no way out. Горсуч it is now.

[crimson-clover.livejournal.com]

Well, at least to my school program and host family. I don't think I put Горсуч on anything "official" :)


I like your icon, by the way.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

When you'll obtain your Russian visa, you'll find your name already transliterated for you there. If the consulate officer who's going to read your application is literate enough (which I personally cannot guarantee) and follows the instructions, it's going to be Горсач.

[crimson-clover.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your help. I wondered about how that worked since the visa application was to be done in English. I'm mostly just wondering about school papers and filling out other things once I'm in Russia, plus if it ever came up while introducing myself or something. I only used Горсуч on forms for the school program and for the letter to my host family, so it's probably not set in stone.

So Горсач it is. Thanks :)

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

Well, there is no way you can do anything about the consular officers filling out your Russian visa. They do it according to the instruciotns they have. And visa - that small yellow pieve of paper - is your main ID when in Russia. Always keep it inside your passport together with your registration paper that you are going to get from the school (a metal clip is a good help.) NEVER lose it since they are going to check your papers every now and then. Always have your papers on you. Remember that if you lose your visa, they won't let you out of Russia until you restore it through Russian Foreign Ministry, and it takes at least a week, and there are fines applied. So be careful with your papers. Russia is quite special when it comes to papers. Remember that, unlike the U.S., your driver's license is NOT an appropriate ID in Russia. Passport, AND visa, AND registration paper, and they don't work separated. Sorry to say about my own country, but it's a police state. It's life. It was much worse some 20 years ago anyway.