Quote Originally Posted by GKnight
It was just a guess I figured I'd throw out there..
I know there was a discussion back and forth about the pronounciation of Vitali Klitschko's first name during advertisements when he fought in Germany. It had something to do with the way Germans had a difficult time pronouncing his name, so they changed the pronounciation of his name for that fight. American boxing then thought the German pronounciation was correct and began saying his name incorrectly - finally he told everyone the correct way to say Vitali.

The discussion was between saying "VIT-a-li" or "vi-TAL-i" - I don't know the reasoning for the German pronounciation.. I don't speak German.

Regarding Moskva - perhaps something similar happened in the pronounciation from various cultures to evolve it to Moss-ko in the USA.
Florida, huh.. how's the weather? (answer, fablous (sp) of course)
I can see where cultures and dialects find it easier to pronounce it all funny instead of learning a closer pronunciation. I mean, I didn't even know the correct "name" was other than Moss-Cow until I found this site. Then I felt cheated. I've never heard an English speaker say Moss-ko though they may. It always sounds like Cow as in livestock. America seemed so intimidated by Russian progress in technology when I was younger that I guess I just sorta figured it was... well, nevermind anyway, I thought it was used so as an insult--because it's perfectly easy to pronounce in English mosk-va. I would like to see it pronounced and understood correctly, not like that's going to happen unless Russia puts it's foot down with the UN or something. If it even bothers them enough.
My pet piev I think.


Have a great day!