Volkov and the Wizard of OZ -ACKNOWLEDGMENT

[Barry P. Scherr]

After reading the reply of Edward Dumanis to Robert Rothstein I felt that the
discussion had passed into a realm where only Lewis Carroll had gone before.
Edward Dumanis made a very serious accusation against Boris Zakhoder; namely,
that Zakhoder had tried to pass off A. A. Milne's work as his own, without
acknowledging the source. Robert Rothstein's reply simply pointed out that to
the best of his knowledge such was not the case.  In his rejoinder, Edward
Dumanis goes on to say "In the case of Zakhoder I consider it as following the
official Soviet ethical standards, maybe, just by inertia, but I do not know."

I am not an expert on Russian children's literature, but I have seen several
editions of Zakhoder's translation of Winnie the Pooh, ranging from 1960
through 1988.  In every single case the author is listed, to transliterate from
the Russian, as "A. A. Miln," and Boris Zakhoder is said to have "pereskazal"
the original.   In other words, full acknowledgement is given to Milne as the
author.  If this is meant as an example of "Soviet ethical standards," then I
fail to see how they differ from standards that are generally followed
elsewhere.  If Edward Dumanis has seen editions where Zakhoder has not
acknowledged Milne as the original author, then he should identfy those to the
subscribers of SEELANGS, or else he should withdraw his charge.

Barry Scherr
b.scherr at dartmouth.edu