# For Russian Speakers: Unique Russian spoken in an enclave in Ninilchik, Alaska **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 9, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054 "2013-07-09T16:38:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wei\_ji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wei\_ji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wei_ji)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/1 "2013-07-09T16:38:29Z")
I posted a thread on the questions blog recently about the meaning of “Poochki,” a term applied a plant in Alaska by my grandmother, getting a much-needed refresher in simple plurals (“bunches”), courtesy of “Terr,” a native speaker. Within that thread was a brief discussion of Ninilchik, Alaska, on the Kenai Penninsula (Southwest of Anchorage), the use of the Russian language there, and the influence of Russian culture generally on Alaska. Now comes an interesting short article in the “Penninsula Clarion,” the local salmon wrapper (as we called Alaska newspapers when I lived there), reporting the fact that “Ninilchik Russian” is distinctive, even unique, and being studied by both American linguists and Russian researchers from Moscow University. The culture of the Natives at Ninilchik is old Russian, and they consider themselves as “Russian,” not “Native.” It’s a simple local article, but interesting. So, if this interests you, go here to read it: [http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2013-06-29](http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2013-06-29) If this link doesn’t open, go to: Penninsula Clarion; ‘Spoken With Heart and History;’ June 29, 2013; by Greg Skinner. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/2 "2013-07-09T21:28:23Z")
Very neat, thanks for posting. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/3 "2013-07-09T21:52:32Z")
that is very interesting. thank you for posting. i’ll pass it on. ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/4 "2013-07-11T07:22:24Z")
On a side note, does anyone know the Russian word for “bear”? I don’t have a Russian dictionary and it’s been years–no, decades–since I studied the language. Thanks in advance ---
**Author:** ![NorthernBiker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@NorthernBiker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NorthernBiker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/5 "2013-07-11T09:24:35Z")
> [@movingfinger](#): > > On a side note, does anyone know the Russian word for “bear”? I don’t have a Russian dictionary and it’s been years–no, decades–since I studied the language. > Thanks in advance It’s pronounced medved. Don’t have a Cyrillic keyboard on this computer. Easy way to remember is that it’s the Russian PM last name. ---
**Author:** ![Molotok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Molotok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Molotok)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/6 "2013-07-11T09:38:41Z")
Медведь = medved = bear. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/7 "2013-07-11T11:56:13Z")
Thanks for posting this, **wei ji**. [mod]Moved Cafe Society --\> MPSIMS.[/mod] ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2013, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-russian-speakers-unique-russian-spoken-in-an-enclave-in-ninilchik-alaska/663054/8 "2013-07-12T07:49:17Z")
Medved? Thanks, or rather, spasibo (that one I recall)