Kyiv is pronounced K-y-i-v, where “y” is similar to sound “i” in “silk” or “y” in “sync”.
Ukrainians pronounce it as K-y-yi-v. “yi” is a typical Ukrainian sound – it is combination of two Dutch/German sounds “j” and “i”.
So properly in Dutch/German that would sound like Kyjiv (The analogue in English would be Kyyiv, but they shortened it to Kyiv).
In Cyrillic it is written as Київ (or ~KUÏB~ in case your computer doesn’t support Cyrillic fonts).
It is not that complicated in the end of the day, is it?
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Indeed, one of the most popular Dutch publishers, De Bosatlas, refers to the City as:
“Hoofdstad: Kyjiv (Kіеv), 2.643.000 inwoners”
Source: http://landendocumentatie.bosatlas.nl/toCountriesViewN.do?portal=1
While some people may say, one spelling is easier for English speakers to pronounce than the other.
Just have a look at Pekin and Beijing.
I bet English speaker will cope with the change. It will only do their IQ good. So why not trying it?
З листа Тетяни, прихильниці цієї ініціативи, дуже цікава інформація про історичне написання Києва:
Don’t confuse an explanation of the transliteration with the way the name “Kyiv” should be pronounced. For most English-speakers, the best phrase to get them close to the Ukrainian pronunciation is “Kay-eve.” The other discussion is more suitable for linguists.
You’re doing a great job, guys!
It’s a shame we haven’t met before. I’ve signed all your petitions.
After encouraging email exchanges with an NYT reporter, I wrote a letter to the editor and launched this petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/33097.html
We need to raise the Kiev>Kyiv issue to the level of formal review.
Let’s make it K-Y-I-V.
I think when you break the 50 – 90% of the country that speaks Russian or Surjyk from spelling it Kiev, you will be victorious. While you are at it, you could start a movement to fix Crimea. Belagorsk can return to Karasu Bazaar. Feodosia can return to Theodosia. If you really want to dig into history, Kerch could switch back to its original Bospor.
Of course, I am only being semi-serious. The problem is when people come and attempt to destroy the local culture, there are legacy effects. Hence why prices will still be quoted in rubles in some places. Once a people are properly reprogrammed, you can’t go back again, no matter how hard foreigners and expats push.
Interestingly, I Georgians don’t know what Surkyk is, nor do they have their own version. It was, I guess, part of the legacy of the Rus.