Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Iroquois'

English Word: Iroquois

Key Russian Translations:

• ирокезы [i.rɐˈkʲezɨ] - [Plural, referring to the Iroquois people as a group; used in historical, cultural, or ethnographic contexts]
• ирокез [i.rɐˈkʲez] - [Singular, referring to an individual Iroquois person; less common, often in formal or academic discussions]

Frequency: Low - The term is not commonly used in everyday Russian conversation but appears in historical, educational, or cultural texts.

Difficulty: Intermediate (B1) - Learners at this level should recognize it as a proper noun; pronunciation may pose challenges due to specific Russian phonetics, especially for the singular and plural forms.

Pronunciation (Russian):

ирокезы: [i.rɐˈkʲezɨ]

ирокез: [i.rɐˈkʲez]

Note on ирокезы: The stress falls on the third syllable ("kʲezɨ"), and the "ы" sound is a hard vowel that can be tricky for English speakers; it sounds like a muffled "i" in "bit".

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Referring to the Iroquois Confederacy (a historical Native American alliance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ирокезы - Used in contexts discussing Native American history, anthropology, or cultural studies; typically in plural to denote the group as a whole.

Usage Examples:

• Ирокезы были мощным союзом племён в Северной Америке.

  The Iroquois were a powerful alliance of tribes in North America.

• В музеях часто выставляют артефакты, связанные с ирокезами.

  Museums often display artifacts related to the Iroquois.

• Ирокезы играли ключевую роль в колониальной истории США.

  The Iroquois played a key role in the colonial history of the USA.

• Современные ирокезы сохраняют свои традиции и язык.

  Modern Iroquois preserve their traditions and language.

Meaning 2: Referring to an individual or cultural reference (e.g., in literature or modern usage)

Translation(s) & Context:

• ирокез - Used for singular references, such as in biographical or fictional contexts; may appear in discussions of indigenous rights or cultural identity.

Usage Examples:

• Этот ирокез был известным вождём в XVIII веке.

  This Iroquois was a famous chief in the 18th century.

• В романе описывается жизнь одного ирокеза в колониальную эпоху.

  The novel describes the life of one Iroquois during the colonial era.

• Ирокез в этом фильме символизирует сопротивление колонизаторам.

  The Iroquois in this film symbolizes resistance to colonizers.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Ирокезы" and "ирокез" are borrowed nouns from English/French origins and follow standard Russian declension patterns for masculine nouns ending in a consonant. They are not irregular but may vary by case and number.

Note: These forms are relatively straightforward, but learners should pay attention to the plural genitive "ирокезов" for possession or quantity.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гавайвай (less common, historical variant referring to Iroquois in some older texts)
  • ирокуа (rare, another transliteration in specific ethnographic works)

  Note: "Гавайвай" is an archaic synonym and may carry a more outdated connotation in historical literature.

• Antonyms: Not applicable, as "ирокезы" is a proper noun referring to a specific group and does not have direct antonyms.

Related Phrases:

• Ирокезская конфедерация - The Iroquois Confederacy; a key historical alliance.
• Культура ирокезов - Iroquois culture; refers to traditions and societal structures.
• Ирокезы в истории - Iroquois in history; used in educational contexts.

Usage Notes:

The Russian translations "ирокезы" and "ирокез" directly correspond to the English "Iroquois" as a proper noun for the Native American confederacy. Use "ирокезы" for plural or group references in formal or academic settings, and "ирокез" for singular individuals. Be mindful of context: in Russian, this term is neutral but often appears in discussions of colonialism or indigenous rights. When writing, ensure proper capitalization as it is a proper noun. If multiple translations exist, choose based on the specific historical source—e.g., "ирокезы" is more standard in modern Russian.

Common Errors:

• Error: Mispronouncing as "ee-roh-kez" instead of stressing the correct syllable. Correct: Use [i.rɐˈkʲezɨ] for "ирокезы", emphasizing the third syllable.

  Wrong example: "Ирокез" pronounced as "ee-roh-kez". Correct example: "Ирокез" [i.rɐˈkʲez] – This ensures the Russian palatalized "kʲ" sound is clear.

  Explanation: English speakers often overlook Russian stress patterns, leading to confusion in communication.

• Error: Using the singular "ирокез" when referring to the group. Correct: Opt for "ирокезы" in plural contexts to match the collective nature of the English term.

  Wrong example: "Ирокез был союзом" (implying a single entity). Correct example: "Ирокезы были союзом" – This avoids grammatical mismatch.

  Explanation: Russian requires number agreement, which can trip up learners from languages like English that are less inflected.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian contexts, "ирокезы" often evokes discussions of Native American resilience and the impact of European colonization, as popularized in literature and films. Historically, the term reflects Russia's interest in global indigenous cultures during the 19th and 20th centuries, sometimes romanticizing or simplifying Iroquois history. Understanding this can help English learners appreciate the term's role in broader cultural narratives about indigenous peoples worldwide.

Related Concepts:

• могикане (Mohicans)
• аппачи (Apaches)
• сиу (Sioux)