http://nursedianaklim.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] nursedianaklim.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] learn_russian2007-10-07 11:25 pm

(no subject)

This is, perhaps, the stupidest question ever posted here. But it's something I've been wondering about for a while.


Okay, so, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? Chekhov keeps saying "nuclear wessels" instead of vessels, and as I'm studying Russian now, I'm confused, because it doesn't look like there is a "w" sound in the language. (Unless I am completely stupid.) So what I'm wondering is if this is just absolutely horrid writing on their part or if there is a valid reason why a native Russian speaker would say "wessels" instead of "vessels".




I know, I know, I need a life.

[identity profile] philena.livejournal.com 2007-10-08 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
It has already been discussed above about the hypercorrection. I just wanted to add that my 4th year Russian professor, when describing the word зря, "in vain," made a big deal about how useful an expression it was, and kept on saying consistantly how it meant "in wain," which I had a very hard time not laughing at. I felt really bad, too--he was the sweetest man alive, but "in wain" was very comical, especially when he kept repeating it for emphasis.

So, yes, what Chekhov does is possible, although his accent is not by any means really Russian. (He is one of my favorite characters, however. Classic trek represent!)