The American Dialect Society

The Americanization of Czech Given Author(s): J. B. Dudek Source: American Speech, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Oct., 1925), pp. 18-22 Published by: Duke University Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/451927 Accessed: 09-09-2015 21:48 UTC

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This content downloaded from 24.12.84.78 on Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:48:20 UTC All use to JSTOR Terms and Conditions THE AMERICANIZATION OF CZECH GIVEN NAMES

RACTICALLY all the commoner Frantiska); Jan, John (Johanna, Jane); Christian names exist as loan Marie, Mary; Marketa, Margaret; Mat7j, words in the , and Matthew; Pavel, Paul (Pavlina, Pauline); some of them, despite differences from Petr, Peter; Tom.s, Thomas, and Val- our spelling and pronunciation, are easily entin, Valentine (masculine). The recognizable: Antonin, Anthony; August Bohemian form is promptly discarded for or Gustav;t Frantisek, Francis (feminine the corresponding English form or for 1 some abbreviation or current These names, though spelled as in English, are in The values of Czech America-Tony, Gus, Frank, Fannie, pronounced quite differently. Mae letters (and digraphs) occurring in this essay are Jennie, (Mamie, Minnie), Maggie, approximately as follows: Matt, Polly, Pete, Tom, etc.-as soon a = a in what as the immigrant becomes acclimated. a = a in farm The native Blagena finds a in = ou in counterpart au (German) house and in Rose e = e in met Beatrice, Rukena (rarely e = ai in air Rosina). The substitution often requires e = ye in yet an alteration in the : e.g., Jind- i = i in hit Fich Arnolt Suva, who signed himself = i in i police J. A. Suva in the old country, writes ie = i" (Italian ie) "H. the initials o = o in German dort E." here, standing and and oi (is foreign) = Czech oj (oi in oil) respectively for Henry Ernest; U = German u in Fuss Vlasta Jirinka Br3etanova2embroiders the u = oo in moon "P. G. B." on her lingerie to ja = the German ja (affirmative) with Patricia Brestan. and is the instance of in agree Georgia je = i, only redundancy becomes Elizabeth or Similarly, Al(beta ji = yi in the word Yiddish Bessie; Eliska, Alice or Elsie; Filip, js = yo in yore Philip; Jindftika, Henrietta, Hattie or aj = i in hike ej = a in ate n before i or i = Spanish 27 oj = oy in boy Fis unmanageable except by a Czech. The nearest = y,J i, i, except that they do not affect d, n, t imitation is rsh in Pershing as do i, i S = sh in shape The consonants are practically as in English, t before e or i = French t in tien as usually pro- excepting: nounced c = always ts as in parts = z in azure = ch in church (usually represented in English All . Bohemian words are accented on the first sylla- orthography by cz; hence Czech instead of ble. There are no silent letters. Two consonants tech) occurring together (excepting ch, which is a digraph) d before e or i = French d in diable are never combined in pronunciation; each is sounded g is always hard as in get distinctly. h = wh in whom. It is never silent 2 For a woman the , in this case ch always as in German Buch. (The combination BFeetan,always takes a possessive form. Compare is counted as one letter in Bohemian) Pavlova, Petrova, and other familiar is a semi-vowel; = y in yet to the American public. S18

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Harriet; Jift, George; Karel, Carl or gested itself quite naturally, but Jaroslav Charles, and Karolina, Caroline, Carrie, generally becomes Gerald or Jerry, either Charlotte; OndFej,Andrew; Viliem, Wil- of which also takes the place of Jeremid! liam or Bill, and 9ofie, Sophie. Between (Jeremiah), and of Jarom'r (the peace of Bohdankaand Dorothy, Libule and Amelia, spring). For this last, Gerard, given in Vavrinec and Lawrence, the difference the Kalendade,is as often assumed. Jeff- seems considerable, but etymological rey, or Jeff-despite the popularity of scrutiny discloses that the names are Mutt's little partner,-as substitutes for practically the same: compare BRh, God, Bohumir (the peace of God; Godfried, drti, to give, with the components of Geoffrey) have made little appeal, and Theodora; libiti se, to be pleasing, with the name is turned arbitrarily into Theo- the Latin dmari, to be loved, and vavrtn, dore, for which the Bohemian equivalent the laurel, with the Latin word for the is Bohdan (God-given). Another form, same idea. (The terminations -ka, -ufe, Boiidar (the gift of God) is more popular and -eccorrespond roughly to our -ess, -er.) with the Southern Slavs, especially the Milada is a compound of a first-person Serbians, than with the Czechs, who use possessive pronoun and Lada (in Slavonic the word euphemistically as a common mythology the goddess of youth, love, term for a feeble-minded child, simpleton fertility), and means, therefore, my love. or idiot. In explanation of this there is For this, Mildred (or the a rather curious association of ideas, Milly), having no connection with the involving the evangelical "Blessed are Bohemian name, is often substituted. the poor in spirit." Bohumil (dear to Amata or Amanda would seem more God, beloved of God) is translated, reasonable, but the American-Bohemian correctly, Theophile, but also sometimes female named Mandy is non-existent, as Theodore, probably because Theophilus far as I am aware. The Kalend4,e (Cal- is uncommon in America. More rarely endars), published annually by the Bohdan and Bohumil are rendered Felix- Chicago Katolsk, the St. Louis Hlas possibly through further association, un- (Voice), and other American-Bohemian conscious withal, of mental deficiency, newspapers, repeat in each issue a list of moral irresponsibility, and, therefore, Christian names, extending through sev- practical assurance of eternal felicity. eral pages of small print, from which it At any rate, Felix is generally dropped as is possible for the latest arrival in this soon as the boy's companions nickname country to determine what he should call him "Happy Hooligan." Bohumil, as himself here. my own , was a source of The information, however, is not endless embarrassment to me as a child. always acted upon fully, probably because My schoolmates made it "Bug-mill." it is sometimes difficult to establish the On one occasion the subject of middle connection between the Bohemian name names was brought up in the class room, and the translation or substitute offered. and being asked by the teacher for mine, Who, for instance, ever heard of an I unblushingly resorted to "Bennie" to American Bohemian called Valerian? escape the snickers which I knew would Yet, Valerian is the only substitute have followed a truthful answer. Pat- vouchsafed for the very common Czech rick, a fair exchange for Vlastimil (dear Jaroslav(praise of spring). The American to the fatherland), is unknown as the Vernon, it would seem, should have sug- adopted name of a Bohemian anywhere-

This content downloaded from 24.12.84.78 on Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:48:20 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions AMERICAN SPEECH 2_0 except perhaps in Ireland. Miloslav resemblance to the Spanish Hinigo, is (milosti oslaveny, crowned, by mercy, often incorrectly translated Ignatius, grace-adorned; or from milovati, to love, which, in turn, exists in Bohemian as slaviti, to celebrate) is, favoring the first Igntt or Ign4c. Both Hynek and Igndt parenthetical interpretation, given as sometimes become Enoch in this country. Mansuetus in the calendars, but that I have heard Igndt shortened to Iggie, but Latin name, as well as Gratian, is not never Heinie for Hynek, though the known here, and Miloslav, by a very latter nickname exists for Henry (Jind- direct process of Americanization, becomes Fich). Mell. The particle slav (slbva = glory; The popular V.clav-the name of slaven), praised, honored, and slaviti, to Bohemia's patron saint-seems to bristle praise, celebrate; perfective oslaviti, to with difficulties, and the only near- crown, decorate, honor) occurring in this English equivalent ever given anywhere name and others to be mentioned is, by is the German-looking Wenceslaus. the way, according to some authorities, Even Mr. Thomas Capek, an authority the origin of the generic name of the in matters pertaining to Bohemians in Slavs, Slovan6. Miroslav (mir, peace, and America, evidently gives up in despair: slav) might conveniently be translated No name has caused its disconfiture by the Latin Pacificus; but, a bearersgreater excepting than .Somehow or other the rare Morris or Maurice, is generally Viclav...... American Viclavs . ... are not content with exchanged for something suggested neither the name. A number of the milder malcontents by the etymology nor the sound of the have given it a German or a Latin form: Wenzel, Czech name. Bedlich is a Czech corrup- Venceslas, Venceslaus; the majority, though, figura- tion of the German Friedrich, and is tively speaking, have thrown Viclav overboard, in lieu of it William, Wendel, rendered, in America, Frederick (Fred) assuming Wesley, James, according to the fancy of the bearer. Vaiclav or Alfred. Bohuslav, correctly Timothy, is, of course, as untranslatable as Roland, Kenneth, is invariably changed to something irre- or Leslie.3 spective of the original. The venerable Whatever be true Slavic Ladislav (vldda, government, and may concerning Kenneth and VTclav is slav) and Stanislav (of Polish origin; Roland, Leslie, by no means as untranslatable as Mr. meaning, a person famous for his deeds) Capek Ven- become Laddie, Luddie, Lutie, Leslie or would have us believe. The form is German or Latin Louis, and Stanely-one made it Stan- ceslaus, moreover, in the termination. VTclav is derived dard!-with no attempt at accuracy; only from two Slavic a and Bronislavis indiscriminately Bernard, good words, vrnec, and and is inter- Bert, Bart or even Barney, either of which wreath, slav, correctly crowned with a also replaces BarnabiS, Bartolom'j, Barto- preted vincem oslaveny, wreath. The form was Ven- de'j, and, of course, the Czech pronuncia- original and older Czechs still write tion of Bernard. denik, an old name ceslar, many It is translated almost dating back to pagan times, is still in use it so. exactly by the Greek among modern Czechs. It is a corruption word stephanephoros,which, of Castoslav (6astovati, to treat, show being obviously too long for practical hospitality). For no apparent reason, purposes, might conveniently be abbrevi- Vincent is sometimes taken instead. 3Thomas Capek: "The Cechs (Bohemians) in Hynek is a corruption of the German America." Houghton Mifflin Company, New nickname Heins (Heinrich), and, through York. Page 117.

This content downloaded from 24.12.84.78 on Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:48:20 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions AMERICANIZATION OF CZECH GIVEN NAMES 2- ated to Stephen (stephanos,the conqueror's intending to discard his own. It is still wreath, crown of victory), or Steve. customary among Catholic Bohemians Evidently, this possibility has occurred to give a child but one name at , to no Czech, learned or otherwise, and and the middle name is taken, usually, parents wi!l dub one boy &te~pn, the at the confirmation ceremony. In accepted form of Stephen, and his brother America, this custom has fallen into Vhclav without suspecting that they are desuetude, and the bestowing of two or giving both practically the same name. more names at the christening is not Victor, which already exists in Bohemian exceptional. If, subsequently, another as Viktor, likewise recalls the ancient name is taken at confirmation, it is custom of crowning prize winners with a rarely used thereafter in ordinary trans- laurel wreath, and has the advantage of actions. necessitating no change in the initial. Jakub (Latin Jacobus,James) is common Mr. H. L. Mencken, as well as Mr. enough among the Czechs, but is not Capek, has observed that VTclavbecomes translated otherwise than Jacob. The William,4 and adds in a footnote that the nickname is never Jim, but Jake; or, less Bohemians of Central Kansas make it frequently, Jack, by which American- James. My own experience has been Bohemians do not understand John. that most grown-up Vdclavs are known D(Jn and D~im, incidentally, have ob- in America as Jim or James and com- tained recognition in print as Bohemian paratively few as Bill or William. Small versions of our John and Jim; there are boys christened Vdclav are frequently also the Dianik (Johnnie) called Wesley until the Catholic parents and Diimlk (Jimmie). Ludvik is Louis, become aware of the incongruity of which finds favor also as a substitute for named putting their offspring under the patron- Alois (Aloysius), and females age of a Methodist saint. Occasionally, either Aloisie or Ludovikabecome Louise however, Wesley remains, or is shortened or Eloise. Both Michal (Michael) and Mikulid to Wes. Silvestr (Sylvester) turns also Mikull become Mike, though to Wes; or to Vester, Wester, as well as is the Czech form of Nicholas and should, I have Syl. therefore, be rather Nick, which Czechs. It In connection with VAclav, Mr. Menc- not heard among American ken notes that Vojtich also becomes is difficult to account for the initial M William, but Albert is the substitute instead of N: the Greek Nikolaos exists for Vojtechin the and is in Russian as Nikolaj, and Nikola or given Kalendkre, as often chosen. It is, of course, not a Nikol,4 have been suggested as Bohemian- translation. Vojte'chis derived from boj, ized forms, but are never used, probably a battle, struggle (vojsko, the army) and because, in Czech, n before i is sounded the means, literally, a soldier, warrior, leader Ri, and to preserve the hard sound of have of an army. Its confusion with Albert consonant the first syllable would arises from the fact that the Bohemian to be written ny. This orthographical while overlooked in saint, Vojt&ch, had been confirmed by rule, frequently could be dis- Bishop Adalbert of Magdeburg, whose borrowed words, hardly name he assumed, without, perhaps, regarded with impunity here. Nikola or pronounced as spelled, would, H. L. Mencken: "The American Language." NikolI4, 4 without doubt, an association Alfred A. Knopf, New York. Page 349, third bring up edition. with nikoli (not at all!), which would

This content downloaded from 24.12.84.78 on Wed, 09 Sep 2015 21:48:20 UTC All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions AMERICANSPEECH 22- never do. Mitchell for Michal is rather America, Beata, and very rarely Dea or unusual, but one of my brothers so spells Thea, more exact renderings, from which it. Another, christened Otomar,was called Dee has been evolved. Cecilie (Cecilia) Ottie or Otis until he grew up, and then is common as a feminine name, usually changed to Ode, a Western that abbreviated here to Celia, but no boy is seems to be increasing in popularity. ever dubbed Cecil. The masculine name, Ludmila (dear to the people) becomes as pronounced in America, sounds too Lilian or Lily, and Ane~ka, properly much like sysel, the Czech word for Agnes, is occasionally mistranslated Ann marmot (diminutive syslik = gopher, or Annie (Anna). Andulka (little Annie) woodchuck). Chauncey is another is as plebeian among Czechs as Maggie American cognomen from which Bohe- or Sallie with us, but one American girl mian boys are safe. I have been told seized upon it as something out of the that it suggests 6un6e, a sucking pig. ordinary to have engraved on her cards Bohemian-American Mabels I have met, instead of her own middle name, Ann. but one father, at least, objected to his Perla is not, I believe, used elsewhere than wife's naming their daughter "Furniture" in America; the girl, of course, calls her- -German Mibel! One mademoiselle, to self Pearl, and possibly Ruby, Opal, my knowledge, aspired at her confirma- Beryl, or after some other precious stone. tion to Kimona,-an investiture which GladyFkais typically American-Bohemian the officiating bishop prudently declined for Gladys, which, as far as I know, does to perform. Further consideration of not exist in Czech proper, though Blatena, fanciful names would lead us too far already mentioned, might be translated afield, but fond Bohemian-Americanmam- by the almost extinct Letitia (Latin mas have tried everything from Abalina laetare, to be glad). Albina, a very to Zymola on female infants, and Kenneth, popular name in the old country, the Chilson, Luther, Dewey, Woodrow, Cal- native Bela, and the rarer Blanka (Italian vin, etc., have been bestowed upon the Bianca) seem not to yield to Blanche as sons of clinging to like readily as might be expected. Allie, Kubicek, Sev~ck,Boreckj, Veverka Aline, Arline and Belle are occasionally and Vrba. Pospsifil, substituted. Bo~ena becomes Bessie or J. B. DUDEK. Beatrice rather than the unfamiliar, in Yukon,Oklahoma.

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