[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by novaSS

I'd argue that the proper transcription would be Semyon (at least that's how I've always seen it), but otherwise you nailed it.

Now that is double nerd mode right there, Sir, thank you very much. A "y" in this position is indeed easier to recognize for an English speaker than a weak "i", so your point is absolutely valid.

Another weird example of this silly transcription, by the way, is Mikhail Gorbachev, whose last name should be written as Gorbachov (I know I've just aged myself, heh). Same idea except the "y" sound merges with the "ch", at least to my untrained ears.

...and I think this is where I'll stop offing this thread before OP comes after me with a baseball bat