The characters that will be discussed in our top are familiar to each of us. But not the fact that each of us knows how to spell their names in Russian.
In this article, we will not only tell you the grammatically correct spelling, but also explain under what rules of the Russian language the names of invented heroes fall.
Let's figure it out when it is worth putting a hyphen in the name, when “e” should be replaced by “e”, and when the spelling of the name you just need to remember, because it does not fall under any grammar rules.
10. Spider-Man, Ant-Man
To determine the linguistically correct spelling of the names of these superheroes, you need to remember one Russian winged insect, namely a fly. A tsokotuhu fly whose name is spelled with a hyphen and only the first word begins with a capital letter, and the word after a hyphen - with a lowercase.
Spider-Man and Ant-Man are suitable for this rule, so the names of the heroes should always be written with a hyphen, and the "spider" and "ant" will always be written with a small letter.
9. Batman, Superman
Now let's talk about the superheroes of the DC universe - Batman and Superman. Amateurs often make mistakes in the names of these characters. Especially in the Russian version of writing, because to figure out where it is more appropriate to use "e", and where "e" is almost impossible. It remains to remember.
In Russian, there is a rule for some words: if pronounced “e”, then “e” is written. With Superman, everything is clear: instead of the audible “e,” we write “e.”
But for Batman, there are three possible spellings! Batman, Batman, and Batman. But only the option with one “e” in the first half of the name is considered correct: Batman. The rest are not recognized by linguists and reference books, and therefore are considered erroneous.
8. Aladdin, the Genie
“Aladdin” and “Genie” are the correct versions of the spelling of given names. However, Russian-language editors like to add the second letter “l” to the name of a famous thief, and on the contrary, doubled “n” is taken away from the Djinn.
The name Aladdin originates in the Arabic "Aladdin". It was translated by transcription, that is, the Arabic version was duplicated in Cyrillic. Remember: only the letter “d” doubled in the name Aladdin.
And the correct spelling of the genie can be remembered as follows: one "n" is written in the name of the alcoholic drink. "Gin" is what is poured into a bar. And the "Genie" is the one who will fulfill your three desires. Do not confuse!
7. Mickey Mouse
In some spelling dictionaries, you may come across the spelling of “Mickey Mouse” with a hyphen. But this option in modern Russian is considered incorrect for several reasons.
Firstly, the original Mickey Mouse is written in two words, that is, without the use of a hyphen. Therefore, adding a dash in the Russian version of writing is not advisable. Secondly, do not forget that Mickey Mouse is the full name of the mouse. Specifically, “Mickey” is a name, and “Mouse” is a surname.
There is no rule in Russian that allows you to write your full name through hyphens, we have a name, surname and middle name separated by spaces.
6. Koschey the Immortal
No one ever has any questions about the Immortal, but the name of the evil old man is written differently by people. For example, Pushkin himself wrote “Kashchei” through the letter “a”, thereby securing this spelling as true for many years.
But in modern Russian, the spelling of a name through the letter "o" is considered correct, the thing "Koschey" comes from the word bony. "
5. Serpent Gorynych
In Russian, there is a rule for writing common names when they designate any artistic characters.
According to the rule, each designation word is capitalized, and a hyphen is not allowed between them. Serpent Gorynych, Little Red Riding Hood or Gray Wolf have a spelling option based on the described rule.
4. Baba Yaga
Another negative character from Russian fairy tales. There are a lot of options for spelling the name “Baba Yaga”: someone writes both words with capital letters, someone with lowercase letters, and the rest believe that the old woman’s name should be written in two words, that is, without using a hyphen.
There are only two true options. If you are talking about a grandmother living in a hut on chicken legs, then Baba Yaga is a proper name, written in one word through a hyphen.
If you call an abstract unpleasant grandmother a woman-yaga, then this option is written with small letters through a hyphen, that is, as a common name.
In any case, in both cases a hyphen is used, so it is incorrect to write this name separately.
3. Peppy Longstocking
Peppy Longstocking is a character of a children's story invented by writer Astrid Lindgren. In Russian-language publications, the spelling of the girl’s surname can be found in two versions: “Longstocking” and “Long Stocking”. The latter option is especially common in older seals.
Now Peppy's name is written in a single word. Still, “Long Stocking” is a product, but the holistic “Long Stocking” is more like a surname. In addition, in the original, the character's last name is also written in one word - “Långstrump”.
2. Moomin
There are no mummies among the trolls. Mumiy Troll is a Russian rock band, and Mumi Trolls are fairy-tale characters invented by Tove Jansson.
In the original, the word is written together. Why the Moomins in the version of our language are written with a hyphen is unknown, there are no rules for this. It remains, again, just to remember the spelling and, most importantly, to stop adding the unnecessary “y” to the word “mummy”.
1. Severus Snape
Severus Snape, a potions teacher at the Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry, acquired the surname “Snape” from the light hand of Rosman translators.
In the original, the professor's last name is written “Snape” with a reference to the English “Snake”, which means “Snake”. This, in turn, hints at the character’s cold and ugly character.
Rowling loves to use speaking surnames for his heroes, which is why Rosman tried to convey the double meaning of the name in the adaptation process. Literally, they did not call Snape a snake in the Russian translation, but "Snape" was considered an excellent alternative.
The young reader’s “snow” was subconsciously associated with snow: cold and prickly, such as the character of the potions professor.
But this explanation did not convince the fans of the saga, and it is still believed that the original version - Severus Snape - is the correct spelling and pronunciation of the professor's name.