Dec 20, 2013 01:41
10 yrs ago
5 viewers *
Russian term
Пойди туда, не знаю куда, принеси то, не знаю что
Russian to English
Art/Literary
Other
Is there an idiomatic equivalent for this in English? At this late hour I cannot think of anything except "Go I don't know where, bring me I don't know what", but that's an apparent (albeit fairly snazzy, for once) calque from Russian. Any other suggestions welcome. Many thanks.
Proposed translations
+6
24 mins
Rachel Douglas
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Excellent English from Russian originals
Native in: English (Variants: British, Australian, US)
Works in: Russian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
212
Selected
"Go I know not whither, fetch I know not what"
This is not an equivalent English phrase, but what seems to me to be a decent fairy-tale-like translation of the Russian.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34705/34705-h/34705-h.htm#ch7
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Note added at 25 mins (2013-12-20 02:07:08 GMT)
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(c) R. Nisbet Bain, 1901.
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-12-20 08:15:31 GMT)
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Which part is "hopelessly Russian," do you think? Just "know not," or specifically its combination with the imperative? I believe it's the latter that makes this such a curious phrase. Because "know not X" is pretty common.
From (pop) academia:
"No one tells us that this whole neo-cortex language thing is apparently some mysterious gift--_from_ we know not where, _for_ we know not what." (N.B. Here "what" means "what purpose.")
http://books.google.com/books?id=3CTCulULh1UC&pg=PA90&lpg=PA...
To Elvis Presley:
I'm left, you're right, she's gone
You're right and I'm left all alone
Well, she's gone I know not where
But now I just don't care
For now I'm falling for you
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-12-20 08:22:17 GMT)
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About "whither": old-fashioned, of course, but very nice for a fairy tale! Whenever I teach Russian, I use the English of "Good King Wenceslas" to illustrate the concepts of куда / туда / сюда in English, plus a quick appearance of отсюда, and an instance of где for comparison's sake.
Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he,
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence, ...
Bring me flesh and bring me wine,
Bring me pine logs hither.
Thou and I shall see him dine,
When we bear them thither.
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Note added at 6 hrs (2013-12-20 08:27:14 GMT)
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John 14:5 (1611)
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest: and how can we know the way?
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34705/34705-h/34705-h.htm#ch7
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 25 mins (2013-12-20 02:07:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
(c) R. Nisbet Bain, 1901.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2013-12-20 08:15:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Which part is "hopelessly Russian," do you think? Just "know not," or specifically its combination with the imperative? I believe it's the latter that makes this such a curious phrase. Because "know not X" is pretty common.
From (pop) academia:
"No one tells us that this whole neo-cortex language thing is apparently some mysterious gift--_from_ we know not where, _for_ we know not what." (N.B. Here "what" means "what purpose.")
http://books.google.com/books?id=3CTCulULh1UC&pg=PA90&lpg=PA...
To Elvis Presley:
I'm left, you're right, she's gone
You're right and I'm left all alone
Well, she's gone I know not where
But now I just don't care
For now I'm falling for you
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2013-12-20 08:22:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
About "whither": old-fashioned, of course, but very nice for a fairy tale! Whenever I teach Russian, I use the English of "Good King Wenceslas" to illustrate the concepts of куда / туда / сюда in English, plus a quick appearance of отсюда, and an instance of где for comparison's sake.
Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou knowst it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he,
Where and what his dwelling?
Sire, he lives a good league hence, ...
Bring me flesh and bring me wine,
Bring me pine logs hither.
Thou and I shall see him dine,
When we bear them thither.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 6 hrs (2013-12-20 08:27:14 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
John 14:5 (1611)
Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest: and how can we know the way?
Note from asker:
| Thanks, Rachel. I knew someone must have translated this before, and I like the whither part. Now, the funny thing is that there's probably no authentic equivalent for that - quite possibly because this entire "know not whither, know not what" exercise is so hopelessly Russian. |
| It's the imperative part, of course, that makes it so special. Never mind the communists alone. Look at the, say, past 500 years of Russian history, it all fits this curious pattern. Thanks again. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks, Rachel, whither it is. Thanks, everyone, for your help. "
17 hrs
LilianNekipelov
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
Legal and literary translator. Linguist.
Native in: English (Variants: British, US) 
, Polish (Variant: Standard-Poland)
Works in: Russian to English, Polish to English, Swedish to English
Related KudoZ points
:
33
Go there -- I don't know where, and bring me that -- I don't know what.
Another option.
+2
34 mins
Elizabeth Kulikov
Native in English
Client-oriented accurate translation
Native in: English (Variant: US)
Works in: Russian to English, French to English
Go there, (I) don't know where, bring (me/back) something, (I) don't know what
Hm, I couldn't find a fixed "expression" for this in English, so I offer the above suggestion. Hope it works!
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Note added at 36 mins (2013-12-20 02:17:35 GMT)
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It preserves some of the rhyme.
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2013-12-21 03:19:33 GMT)
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Ooh, there's also "go there, (I) don't know where, bring back that, (I) don't know what. This doesn't technically rhyme but it does on paper. You're translating a Russian fairy tale in the meter of John Donne?
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Note added at 36 mins (2013-12-20 02:17:35 GMT)
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It preserves some of the rhyme.
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Note added at 1 day1 hr (2013-12-21 03:19:33 GMT)
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Ooh, there's also "go there, (I) don't know where, bring back that, (I) don't know what. This doesn't technically rhyme but it does on paper. You're translating a Russian fairy tale in the meter of John Donne?
Note from asker:
| Thanks. The meter is different from that of my own version - more along the John Donne line than Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - but it sure does have the rhythm. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
interprivate
8 hrs
|
| agree |
Elizabeth Adams
: Agree, and with the John Donne comment. Sometimes translation feels like twisting pokers into true love knots. Anyway, I think this option or Asher's original idea will work.
15 hrs
|
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