Point very well taken, Ptichka. I purposely blotted out the English equivelant for just that reason.
The above was copied and pasted from an online dictionary.
I'll try to be more attentive in that regard in the future.
My overall point in this case is we need to be carefull in our pronounciation when possible. I have been witness myself when an English word was mispronounced, and the results were not all that proper. Similar sounding does not mean similar meaning.
Okay, then, what about the name Alexandra OR Alexander being reduced to Sasha? If you can't see or hear (okay, before some smartarse says it - or touch) the person, how d'you know if it's a man or a woman?
Very good row of variants Scott!! :) But Valyukha maybe an insulting variant, Tina belongs to the name Tina - the full version, Tinko....never heared that variant so can't say anything got sure about that.
Timashenka / Timashen'ka and Timushenka / Timushen'ka are not spread, and they come from Timofey, as well as Timka (Тимка)and Timofeika :)
Tyoma is a short variant of Artyom.
With my Ludmilla she likes to be called Lucy or Lucyka. She is also called Lusha maybe lucia (Not sure of the spelling). I think that Lucyka is a childs varient - but she absolutely loves it when I call her that!
Interesting. I wonder if that is along the lines of implying you having a commanding role in her life?
I don't mean that in a sexist way. I mean if Russian women normally desire a strong male character in their men, a man that uses such classification terms is stating "I am your man". I.E. in that use, it is a term of endearment.
Scott it depends on 2 people how they call each other, as for my situation, often I call my boyfriend with his nick name and he calls me with my nick name...and it's OK for 2 of us:) Many my friends call me with my nick name and some don't know my real name, though we know each other for a rather long time, and are good friends:))
It's very subjective as well, at least IMHO:)
Toad I knew a couple, now they seam to disappear, and the man told his woman to shut up, to keep silence while he is talking with his friends, and so on....and the girl was happy!!!
So maybe sometimes in some couples "hey you" is also good for those people:)
Ptichka- Over here, generally speaking, telling your woman to "shut up" would be a death sentence for your relationship or at least expect a good slap in the face. :o)