Reminder to self...

[alexpgp]

As a result of some quick research, know ye the following:

1. The city of Leninsk is called Baykonur, and has been, since 1995.

2. The space center near what is now Baykonur, which used to be called just "Baykonur," is now known as the Baykonur Cosmodrome (same time frame).

2. The country in which these places are found is properly spelled Kazakstan (same time frame).

The time difference between Baykonur and Pagosa Springs is currently 12 hours. I don't know if Kazakstan observes "summer" time (what we call "Daylight Savings Time"), and if they do, when they might revert back to "standard" time.

Comments

[laisan.livejournal.com]

I used to think that is should be not Kazakstan but Kazakhstan.

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

Until fairly recently, I also rendered the country name as "Kazakhstan." It would appear, though, in the aftermath of the dissolution of the USSR, that the name Kazakstan reflects the wishes of the government of that country, as communicated to the United Nations in 1995 or 1996.

It would appear that, using the Kazak alphabet, a more proper transliterated rendering would be Qazaqstan, but apparently, the use of the letter "K" instead of "Q" is a one-time exception to the rule.

The "kh" combination in the country name is apparently also exclusively Russian, which is another strike against it.

Somewhere, I have a link that explains it all... I just need to find it again.

Cheers...

[silpol.livejournal.com]

well, it is not my business, but... I guess, Baykonur sounds in English like Бэйконо /sorry for cyr transcription/, but original Kazakh word was transliterated in Russian alphabet like Байконур ... I hope, you've noticed difference. Just yet another point to check it twice.

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

In this regard, I rely on several sources, the chief of which was a post of Jim Oberg's to a Usenet news group (sci.space.policy, if memory serves), wherein he provides some interesting insight into the history of place names associated with cosmonautics (including alleged mistransliterations on the Russian side). Although I cannot say that his recent ramblings have made a fan of me, I think the post - dated 1996 - is likely reliable, at least in as far as current place names are concerned.

If I can find the link again, I'll post it.

Cheers...

[silpol.livejournal.com]

as I predicted, mr Oberg was a little bit wrong... the issue is how to translate (or transcribate) the word Байконыр... yes-yes, right that...

I just held discussion with lorraine_kiss on ICQ, she claims that official spelling of country name is Kazakhstan, and cyrillic spelling of "space place" Байконыр. She works for official Kazakh information agency and very selective on how to translate and/or use words in official papers and PR materials.

She also referred to website of local TV company which belongs to one of Nazarbaev relatives (english version of site is here http://www.khabar.kz/index.php3?parent_id=1007539556&lang=eng ). Keep in mind that in Kazakhstan it is practically impossible to be against any official "line of power", and it might cost a career (or even a life), so everybody must follow on sensitive issues.

You ought to write a letter to Kazakhstan embassy in US, ain't it? ;) Ok, it looks I get pushing you... Disappear...

wow!

[lorraine-kiss.livejournal.com]

What tha Hell you've dun, Poltergeist!
You kinda gave me away, man!
Alrite...I'll be more careful the next time
Yours lorraine_kiss

Re: wow!

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

No harm done, I think. I'm happy to make your acquaintance.

Cheers...

[alexpgp.livejournal.com]

Gee, another Oberg gaffe?

Stuff like this makes me wonder if Oberg has ever done adequate research on subjects he became known as an "expert" on, back in the Bad Old Days. (Certainly, his recent ramblings show a marked tendency to spin yarns, in my opinion.)

So, I think it'll be back to Kazakhstan, I guess, which is good, since that's what people expect to see. But I think I'll stick with Baykonur, as an accurate transliteration of the proper Kazakh name is just going to confuse people.

Cheers...

Re:

[silpol.livejournal.com]

Ok, case closed ;)