Apr 22, 2006 20:59
18 yrs ago
Russian term
Not a translator
United States
United States
Experienced. Literate. Thorough.
Native in: English 
Works in: Latin to English, Greek (Ancient) to English, Russian to English
Zdorovo, drugi!
Russian to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
Bulgakov: M & M
This is what Ivan Bezdomny says when he arrives at Griboyedov's Restaurant after his encounter with Voland & Co. I'm wondering specifically about the flavor of 'drugi' (substandard merely, or implying a specific argot or non-Russian ethnic group) What's a good translation?
Spasibo zaranee!
Spasibo zaranee!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 | all, all all below |
Arkadi Burkov
|
| 3 +2 | there is no specific meaning |
Konstantin Kisin
|
| 4 +1 | Hi, my noble friends! |
koundelev
|
| 3 | hello friands (BUT) |
Aleksandr Okunev (X)
|
Proposed translations
10 hrs
Selected
all, all all below
Whassup (hi there), brethers or brethrens!
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Note added at 10 hrs (2006-04-23 07:03:23 GMT)
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I'd say this is an attempt of a badly educated Russian to sound archaic (or highbrow:). For all I know, the old Russian word for friends would be друзи rather than други. Please also see http://www.grsu.by/data/resources/catalog/59711.pdf
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Note added at 10 hrs (2006-04-23 07:17:57 GMT)
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а вот здесь можно скачать словарь старорусского языка (чисто для бэкграунда, да и вообще интересно посмотреть, как язык изменился со временем (см., например, значение страрорусского слова "колымага") http://libelli.ru/library/tema/query2.htm
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Note added at 14 hrs (2006-04-23 11:19:38 GMT)
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Addition: I think what Ivan Bezdomny wanted was to use a greeting one part of which is vernacular (здорово) and the other is (fake) Old Russian (други). Stylistically, these two parts should not be put together, which (in Ivan's opinion) produces the intended effect of a highbrow joke.
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Note added at 14 hrs (2006-04-23 11:22:08 GMT)
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an ostensibly highbrow joke
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Note added at 10 hrs (2006-04-23 07:03:23 GMT)
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I'd say this is an attempt of a badly educated Russian to sound archaic (or highbrow:). For all I know, the old Russian word for friends would be друзи rather than други. Please also see http://www.grsu.by/data/resources/catalog/59711.pdf
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Note added at 10 hrs (2006-04-23 07:17:57 GMT)
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а вот здесь можно скачать словарь старорусского языка (чисто для бэкграунда, да и вообще интересно посмотреть, как язык изменился со временем (см., например, значение страрорусского слова "колымага") http://libelli.ru/library/tema/query2.htm
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Note added at 14 hrs (2006-04-23 11:19:38 GMT)
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Addition: I think what Ivan Bezdomny wanted was to use a greeting one part of which is vernacular (здорово) and the other is (fake) Old Russian (други). Stylistically, these two parts should not be put together, which (in Ivan's opinion) produces the intended effect of a highbrow joke.
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Note added at 14 hrs (2006-04-23 11:22:08 GMT)
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an ostensibly highbrow joke
Note from asker:
| Rakardi: It's interesting that some native speakers are sensitive to this stylistic clash and others are not. It seems published translators have shifted the faux archaism to zdorovo (both Ginsberg and Pevear/Volokhonsky have 'hail, friends!', which is pretty flat!). It's very hard to use archaic language in American English now other than for a completely comic effect. I think Ivan is sincerely trying to captivate his audience here; but his mental/emotional state makes it impossible. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks very much for the opinion and for the Old Russian reader!"
+2
18 mins
Konstantin Kisin
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in Russian
&
English
United Kingdom
Bilingual Finance, Law & Business Pro
Native in: English 
, Russian
Works in: Russian to English, English, English to Russian
Related KudoZ points
:
16
there is no specific meaning
I don't think there is any specific meaning here. "Drugi"are no worse than "druzja", it is simply used "for the fun of it".
One of those things that may have to be lost in translation...
One of those things that may have to be lost in translation...
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Simon Gregory
: Контраст между фамильярным "Здорово!" и возвышенным "други" здесь выразительное средство. Когда Президент Буш говорит:" My fellow citizens..." does each fee
2 hrs
|
|
perhaps you're right but then, I think my conclusion is still appropriate :)
|
|
| agree |
Arkadi Burkov
: I'd say this is an attempt of a badly educated Russian to sound archaic (or highbrow:). For all I know, the old Russian word for friends would be друзи rather than други
9 hrs
|
| agree |
Crio
: Не согласен с Саймоном. Я не думаю, что "други", особенно здесь, имеет возвышенную коннотацию, скорее наоборот - фамильярность
1 day 11 hrs
|
22 mins
hello friands (BUT)
try to find something that sounds old
not necessarily for "hello", but for DRUGI
it could be sometihng like "brethren"
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Note added at 29 mins (2006-04-22 21:29:20 GMT)
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http://www.google.com/search?hs=SU4&hl=en&lr=&client=opera&r...
not necessarily for "hello", but for DRUGI
it could be sometihng like "brethren"
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Note added at 29 mins (2006-04-22 21:29:20 GMT)
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http://www.google.com/search?hs=SU4&hl=en&lr=&client=opera&r...
+1
5 hrs
Discussion