Translation problem with Platonov

[Andrew Jameson]

sought refuge in....?

The man from Megara was saved by an accident of history
is a nice English phrase but is not what P wrote in the original


Andrew Jameson
Chair, Russian Committee, ALL
Reviews Editor, Rusistika
Listowner russian-teaching list
Freelance tutor and translator
1 Brook Street
Lancaster LA1 1SL UK
Tel/fax 01524 32371
www.all-languages.org.uk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Chandler" <kcf19 at DIAL.PIPEX.COM>
To: <SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2004 2:48 PM
Subject: [SEELANGS] Translation problem with Platonov


Can anyone help with a difficult word in Platonov?  It is from the
unfinished 'The Macedonian Officer.

Mегариец ... спасался в случайностях текущей истории

The man from Megara always lived and acted without listening to anything
except the precise feeling of his own heart, and he took refuge in chance
accidents of current history ?? (looked for his salvation to the chance
accidents of current history -- literally: ‘saved himself in the chance
accidents of current history’).

Тhe meaning is that he is quick, resourceful, able to use chance events to
his own advantage when he is in a tight corner, when his life is at stake.

'looked for his salvation to' is not bad, but obviously a lot grander than
the Russian -- and we are talking of someone who is sensible and down to
earth.

Best wishes to all,

Robert Chandler

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