Thread: How do you say Little Raven in Russian

Thanks much for the fast input. I agree, my character can't call his girlfriend 'little funnel.' Funny, and probably not in a good way

In theory, 'little sparrow' is better, it's just a bird that I hate. English sparrows are not attractive, can't sing, make a mess, are aggressive, crowd out other birds. No redeeming qualities that I am aware of, at least for modern times. If someone called me his little sparrow, I might have to dump him for not knowing me very well

Whereas ravens are sleek, black, smart, mysterious, maybe a little dark inside. Much more interesting to me. Just sayin'.

If there isn't a another good diminutive for raven besides vorobushek, I'll have to think of another pet name that fits her.

Haven't read Catullus. Happily, Ms. Parker did it for me. Thanks for that verse.

Originally Posted by pluto

In theory, 'little sparrow' is better, it's just a bird that I hate. English sparrows are not attractive, can't sing, make a mess, are aggressive, crowd out other birds. No redeeming qualities that I am aware of, at least for modern times. If someone called me his little sparrow, I might have to dump him for not knowing me very well

Also, sparrows helped kill Jesus! (At least, according to the folklore in some areas of Russia. Google it!)

Whereas ravens are sleek, black, smart, mysterious, maybe a little dark inside.

Hmmm.... the magpie (Russian сорока, so-RO-ka) is also sleek, partly black, and definitely smart -- they're known for their ability to imitate natural and man-made sounds (such as barking dogs, train-whistles, and doorbells), and are also known to use twigs as improvised tools. Because they can make sounds that resemble human speech, magpies are sometimes considered "gossipy" -- and the Russian equivalent for "a little bird told me" is "a magpie brought it on her tail." But you should ask a native Russian as to whether "soroka" would be a good nickname for a girlfriend, and what the correct diminutive would be.

Originally Posted by Throbert McGee

But you should ask a native Russian as to whether "soroka" would be a good nickname for a girlfriend, and what the correct diminutive would be.

I think it would be offensive, because it is similar to a babbler/chatterbox

сорока sounded good...too bad it means babbler. My character is not a babbler, quite the opposite. I love all the birds in the corvid family...crow, raven, magpie, jackdaw. All good from my point of view. So jackdaw is the current winner, unless something else comes up.

I had no idea about the sparrow/Jesus connection.

Thanks again for all the great input.

Originally Posted by pluto

сорока sounded good...too bad it means babbler. My character is not a babbler, quite the opposite. I love all the birds in the corvid family...crow, raven, magpie, jackdaw.

Hmmm... хрошечка (KHRO-shetch-ka, with the KH sounding something like the Hebrew CH in l'chayim or the Spanish J in jalapeño) is a traditional Russian term of endearment -- there's even a fairytale about a Cinderella-like heroine who's nicknamed "Khroshechka". Literally, it means "Wee little crumb," and has nothing to do with birds. So if the girl's Russian boyfriend knew English pretty well, he might possibly invent the Anglo-Russian portmanteau "Crow-shechka" -- signifying "a cute little thing who is also dark, mysterious, and intelligent."

Another possibility: Maybe the boyfriend could use a "typical and natural sounding" Russian term of endearment when he's in a cuddly mood (maybe "Lapushka," pronounced LA-poosh-ka, which literally signifies something like "My little puppy-paw"). But if he wants to tease her, he could use something slightly unflattering, like "Voronyonok" (vo-ro-ÑO-nok, with the Ñ as in Spanish "señor"), meaning "Baby raven."

Originally Posted by Throbert McGee

Hmmm... хрошечка (KHRO-shetch-ka, with the KH sounding something like the Hebrew CH in l'chayim or the Spanish J in jalapeño) is a traditional Russian term of endearment -- there's even a fairytale about a Cinderella-like heroine who's nicknamed "Khroshechka". Literally, it means "Wee little crumb," and has nothing to do with birds.

it's крошечка
It is indeed in a fairytale Крошечка-Хаврошечка which is probably several centuries old but I think nobody uses it as an endearment anymore. Partially because of Russian translation of American B-movies where "baby"(when addressing a female adult) is translated as "крошка" or "детка" (I think it is very informal and might even be rude) better not to go to that slippery road
крошка literally means crumb but also could mean something or someone small

"Crow-shechka" is fun. I love making language mutants. Lapushka is good also, but I think my US readers will be able to handle only one diminutive.

Here is her response when he "names" her (she speaks no Russian):

"He might be calling me his bald-headed baby buzzard, and I would still be charmed."

As long as it works for him, it's all good. They'll wind up marrying at some point, so intimate is fine.