Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberSEO
He says it just like I say. Here is his monologue "Kiev is a mother of Russian cities" (yes, he speaks the modern Russian language in his stand ups):
Skip it at 0:38 mark and listen how a native Ukrainian guy from Kiev (the president of the country BTW) says "KIEV". He clearly says "Keeyf" with an "F" at the end. Any questions? |
I have to say that's the strongest we've seen yet, in terms of proof. He clearly says Kee'eef, which explains a lot. He is lengthening the word for emphasis, which explains why Americans hear "Keef" when the city name is being said quickly. The tiny pause between the two syllables disappears when the name is spoken casually. Yet if a native colleague is asked about it, they might speak emphatically to the listener and say "KEE'iEEFF" which might be spelled "Key-iev"
Though there may be many ways to say it, and hear it, Zelensky says "Kee'eef" and that is what I'd vote for, as a non-native.