Talk:апостроф

word stress

Both apostróf, apóstrof are possible and there is a debate about what is correct, as some dictionary mention just one or the other, sometime claiming that the other stress pattern is incorrect or obsolete. I personally always use apóstrof and so did my English teachers from long ago but I think both should be allowed. Anatoli 00:53, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

I think that, officially, it is апостро́ф, and all dictionaries will support апостро́ф (most say only апостро́ф). The dictionary Русское словесное ударение says апостро́ф [не апо́строф]. But there are signs that some people do use and actually prefer апо́строф. I think this might be a reaction against the French influence that is suggested by апостро́ф. The pronunciation апо́строф is influenced by English. —Stephen 01:08, 18 September 2009 (UTC)

You are right about the English influence and I know our professors and teachers of English would cringe at апостро́ф. Actually, as a side note, Russian is becoming increasingly tolerant to variations, both officially and colloquially, which wasn't the case in the past with the strict sensorship. The government policy is now to standardise some of the forms, which are in common use but frowned upon by intellectuals, e.g. договор can now have an accent on both last (I prefer this) and the first syllable. As for the English influence, it is big, some words don't catch up with the inclusion of them into dictionaries, e.g. лобстер (normally омар), блютус (neologism), слоган (normally: лозунг). Just checked, слоган is already included but 12 years ago, when I left Russia, this word was never used. Anatoli 01:30, 18 September 2009 (UTC)