Translation Question - CORRECTION!

[J.W.]

Ottawa (Canada), Saturday 13/11/04 9h30 EST

CORRECTION!  I wrote too soon.

While a reply from one Russian native speaker indeed saw no difference
between the terms "pjataja kolonna" and "pjata grafa" (indicating that
"pjataja grafa" may be used that way by some Russians), another
respondent reminded me of the very important distinction between the
two, which completely slipped by mind earlier (even though I have known
about this in the past).

"Pjataja grafa" is used to refer to the indication of one's
"nationality" or ethnic background in the Soviet internal passport.  Its
English equivalent would depend upon the context.  In some contexts
something like "ethnic designation" might fit.  Or it might be worth
adding an explanatory footnote.

My humble apologies for my earlier 'conclusion', which may or may not
have validity.

John Woodsworth, Research Associate
Slavic Research Group at the University of Ottawa

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