Excuse me but if you've never heard anyone in Russia use it as diminutive that doesn't necessarily mean that it's not used at all. I agree that most Olegs would take it as an insult if addressed by male but if some Oleg's g/f called him "Olya" he wouldn't be offended, IMOOriginally Posted by translations.nm.ru
You are absolutely right. Canadian sources won't do. Let's better apply for information to shcolar's Petrovski dictionary:Originally Posted by translations.nm.ru
http://slovari.gramota.ru/portal_sl.html?petr_imsm.htm