06-01-2009, 10:47 AM
Let the other users judge whether an example with Rim/Rome can be compared with the case of Tskhinvali or not. If it were purely a linguistic issue, then definitely I wouldn't mind even though you start pronouncing Stalin's birthplace as Gor or the Georgian capital as Tiflis (this is how it sounds in German or Farsi). You're probably well aware that with a few exceptions personal or geographic names usually are not changed and examples of China, Cairo, Athens, Beijing and some others show that regardless of how certain names sound in other languages, including native ones, the priority is given to international versions.
The Abkhazian capital indeed has two names. The Abkhazians themselves call it Aqwa, although the Georgians centuries ago named this city Tskhumi which underwent a little transformation (Sokhumi/Sukhumi) during the long-time Turkish rule. At any rate, despite a large number of Russians writing here, this is still an English-language portal which apparently is being subjected to a well-orchestrated and politically-motivated campaign aimed at deliberately deranging the names of cities on the Russian-conquered territories. If it's not so, since when 'Tskhinval' has become 'a Russian variant'?!
Regiment is an equivalent of brigade and in ordinary case consists of four battalions. Your phrase 'Chechen regiments' implies that at least two regiments - up to three thousand Chechen servicemen - could have taken part in 2008 war. While I'm not inclined to diminish their role in final outcome, merely I've not come across any information which would prove it correct. Battalion 'Vostok' led by Yamadayev - the one who was killed recently in Dubai but who a few days later resurrected :lol: - was known to be in an advance column of invading Russian troops, although allegedly it was not this unit but the overwhelming air superiority, namely the ability of the Russian military to use close air support in combat as well as their air force capabilities for extensive combat and reconnaissance flights, that turned out key in this war.
Russia as a colonial master has made the Chechens and Georgians kill each other in the past. The latter helped the Czarist forces finish off with the Imam Shamil-led resistance while the former actively fought in Abkhazia a century later alongside with Russia. Yet, the plan to sow ethnic hatred between them is going to result in complete failure.
The Abkhazian capital indeed has two names. The Abkhazians themselves call it Aqwa, although the Georgians centuries ago named this city Tskhumi which underwent a little transformation (Sokhumi/Sukhumi) during the long-time Turkish rule. At any rate, despite a large number of Russians writing here, this is still an English-language portal which apparently is being subjected to a well-orchestrated and politically-motivated campaign aimed at deliberately deranging the names of cities on the Russian-conquered territories. If it's not so, since when 'Tskhinval' has become 'a Russian variant'?!
Regiment is an equivalent of brigade and in ordinary case consists of four battalions. Your phrase 'Chechen regiments' implies that at least two regiments - up to three thousand Chechen servicemen - could have taken part in 2008 war. While I'm not inclined to diminish their role in final outcome, merely I've not come across any information which would prove it correct. Battalion 'Vostok' led by Yamadayev - the one who was killed recently in Dubai but who a few days later resurrected :lol: - was known to be in an advance column of invading Russian troops, although allegedly it was not this unit but the overwhelming air superiority, namely the ability of the Russian military to use close air support in combat as well as their air force capabilities for extensive combat and reconnaissance flights, that turned out key in this war.
Russia as a colonial master has made the Chechens and Georgians kill each other in the past. The latter helped the Czarist forces finish off with the Imam Shamil-led resistance while the former actively fought in Abkhazia a century later alongside with Russia. Yet, the plan to sow ethnic hatred between them is going to result in complete failure.