Ё

[xxsmoothopexx]

Does anyone know how it came to be in Russian that the two dots (no idea what they're called) came to not be written on the letter: ё.

Comments

[rmg7]

I'm sorry to say that I can't answer your question but I just wanted to say--GREAT icon. :)) I am obsessed with her.

[xxsmoothopexx]

Aw, thank you. :)
I love yours too ;) Paris. ♥

[sensanome]

it's a diphthong. originally [i+o].

[sensanome]

but there probably used to be some, right?

[5x6]

historically, this is the youngest letter in the Russian alphabet. In old Russian there were two letter denoting three somewhat similar (albeit distinct) sounds, Е, Ь and "ять". As the language developed, the sound Ь entirely merged with E, and the corresponding word wer no spelled universally with a E, like день. "Ять" also merged with E in Russina (and with i in Ukrainian), but the corresponding words (like белый) were still spelled with a "ять" until 1917. On the other hand, in some words the original sound E developed into a YO, withou a change in spellimg. Princess Dashkova, at that time the head of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, in 1784 introduced a new letter to reflect this relatively recent change in pronunciation. However the new letter has neve become "mainstream", and has been used only to avoid ambiguities, and even that not consistently.

[xxsmoothopexx]

Thanks for clarifying so greatly. :)

[5x6]

"two letter" in my comment meant "three letters", but I recon you got it :)

[5x6]

Too many letters in this "claryfying" comment :) Now, if you are interested in, say, the use of the letter, it is not really useful. Using it where it is "necessary" identifies you to be a purist. Using it wherever it may be put identifies you as a subcultural hippie.

[homa]

And more (seems that nobody mentioned it): this very letter (or a diacritic used with the letter) has its parent, Karamzin.

[5x6]

Wrong. Another urban legend.

As I said, it was E. Dashkova.

[maryxmas]

thank you. I was planning to tell this but you did it first :)