Bunin and intelligentnost'

[Alina Israeli]

I have read the previous exchange, and agree with the meaning of the
word 'intelligentnost'. However, we need a translation here. We do
associate (if not equate) 'intelligentnost' with higher education. Of
course, the prolifiration of uneducated people with diplomas has
changed this recently, but it was not necessarily the case in pre-war
time. So I would say that for this young widow from Latvia "higher
education [is] not essential".

You have to realize also that a great many taxi drivers in Paris at
that time were highly educated people of the gentry, white Russians.
She is looking for a chauffeur, not necessarily a prince.


>"Serious lady, auburn hair, old-fashioned but sympathique, widowed with
>9-year-old son, wishes to correspond, serious intentions, with sober
>gentleman of at least 40, financially secure, employed as chauffeur or
>similar, enjoys home comforts.  Intellectual interests not essential." I
>quite understand her -- they really aren't essential.'
>
>'Intellectual interests' is my extremely inadequate translation of
>'intelligentnost'.  Can anyone do better?

--
__________
Alina Israeli
LFS, American University
4400 Mass. Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20016

phone:  (202) 885-2387
fax:    (202) 885-1076

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