Czech-American Names.
Concluded from the last issue. For the Student Life by Msgr. J. B. Dudek, K.C.H.S.
Supplementing the information available in any Czech Kalendář (annual) published in America regarding Christian names, I wrote, about three years ago, an article on “The Americanization of Czech Given Names”, which appeared in “American Speech” for October 1925. There is little more to be added now. Concerning the name Miloslav, which, I observed, becomes Mell, I note that Dr. Miloslav J. Breuer of Omaha signs himself “Miles J. Breuer”. Winslow, mentioned in a preceding paragraph of the present essay as a substitute for the family names Věnec and Vaněk, has been found acceptable also as an American version of the Czech Christian name Václav. The usual English (or rather German) form of this, Wenceslaus, is undeniably awkward in this country. Certainly Winslow, while not a Christian name, is better than Wesley, formerly in vogue as an Americanized Wenceslaus. Vojtěch, the interpretation of which is “těcha (from těšiti se) boje”, is not translated by Albert, given in the Kalendáře (annuals), but Albert is actually substituted for it in America; more rarely, also, William. The fact that one small Vojtěch was nicknamed “Voit” or “Whit” at different stages of his school career resulted in his adopting White instead, later on, as a middle name. I have had reported to me also Albert as a substitute for Ladislav. Vernon, in one case at least, has finally been accepted as an American version of Jaroslav, for which theKalendáře have always given only Valerian. I had made the recommendation in “American Speech”.
Sylvie is, I believe, an uncommon given name among Bohemians, but I have found it borne by a Česláková. Myrta is, of course, our American Myrtle. At home the girl was called, affectionately, Myrtélka. Somewhat similarly, Ethel is generally Etelka or Adelka, rather than the simple Etel, which, in Bohemian, sounds rather masculine. Gladýška for Gladys exemplifies the same rule. Vlasta I have observed arbitrarily changed to Austie. Edward has long been common enough as the given name of Bohemian-American boys; it is written or printed indiscriminately with a w, u or v, but always pronounced Edvard when speaking the native tongue. To Džim and Džán (and the diminutives Džimik and Džaník) for Jim and John respectively, which I previously reported as having found their way into American-Bohemian prints, I am now able to add Čalí and Čáli for Charlie. Čálí, of course, has long existed in the American-Bohemian vulgate; this third spelling (my own) more correctly indicates the pronunciation than the attempts I have actually seen printed so far.
