Fwd: Platonov, and his metaphors

[Josh Wilson]

First off, thanks to Lily for this insightful comment on the ART of
translation. I do not wish to offend anyone on this list, but it really
seems to me that most of these suggestions I've read so far seem
out-of-the-blue and a little stale. The type of sentences I read time and
time again that always leave me wondering "I wonder the original said (and
meant)." Of course, I could look that up, but translations should not leave
one with that feeling.  

Given Lily's contemplation of the subject - that the phrase should sound odd
but also imply a mystical connection with the railroad as well as the fact
that he excels in his job - I would leave many of the words behind and
translate the thought instead. Something like:

"You only work here, go through the motions, but I bleed rail ties." 

It does differ from the original, but achieves the same effect of slightly
alienating the listener, and also makes instant sense as a metaphor by
borrowing from a common image about "having something in one's blood." 

I've also assumed that "tut khodite" would imply regular motion in a single
place and convey a slight condescension... 

Just a(nother) suggestion. 

JW


-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at BAMA.UA.EDU] On Behalf Of Lily Alexander
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 6:15 PM
To: SEELANGS at BAMA.UA.EDU
Subject: [SEELANGS] Fwd: Platonov, and his metaphors

 

Hi Robert,

I read in the morning all messages sent to you regarding this peace, and 
I cannot help thinking that people are giving you good advice of 
"good English" that sounds right.

This is exactly the point: this sentence - about feelings - is designed 
NOT to sound right. The word "chuvstvuyu" in the context is out of place 
and must stick out.

In Platonov, almost in every sentence there is a word unconventionally 
used, so his language and the language of his characters sound 
"childish," as if they do not know how to use language properly, or 
"wizardly" as if they know something about the secret life of words that 
nobody else knows. He often uses words "pod uglom" k rechi. They are in 
strange relationships with his text, and they are disobediently used.

Like in Vico (each metaphor is a little myth) Platonov's words are 
metaphors which are little myths.

For example, with this "chuvstvuiu." Imagine a person, a railroad 
worker, who is connected to his rails, and other mechanical things, and 
his road as if by means of thousands nerves connected to his body or 
coming from his body - he "feels" them all . He is connected with them - 
a man of the universe, or universe's "central station." And of course he 
points out to others that they are who they are, and he understands 
himself as this special being, take it or leave it. They are 
flabbergasted, offended and bewildered at once.
So the hero imagines himself (and Platonov does not dispute) as almost 
some kind of fantastic being - fantastic human tree with the roots going 
everywhere. The image of the man connected with his nerves (and hence 
feelings) with the entire world is repeated by Platonov in so many ways 
and in so many works. This image is one of Platonov's "foundational 
metaphors, " or "root metaphors" of his fictional world.

This is why you stumbled on this word and cannot get through. Maybe the 
author does not allow you - until you get it his way. :-)

Regarding the use of the word "pustiak" in another sentence, which we 
discussed with you - when people say "eto ne pustiak," this connotes a 
tiny resentment. I would not omit "pustiak" or replace it with anything 
else. Besides, pustiak is a "little" pustota. Emptiness comes through 
the word "pustiak" in Russian. And it is another of Platonov's root 
metaphors, with a negative connotation about what the world has become 
to - tragically. Again, various images of emptiness come through in 
abundance in many works of Platonov.

It seems to me that loosing Platonov's "stick out" words means loosing 
Platonov. It is not a good idea to "straighten him out" and clean his 
clumsy  language because this clumsiness is meaning-making. His "stick 
out" words that are almost metaphors are important - often because they 
are part of his imagery and of the system of root-metaphors of his 
world.  They are part of his recurrent vocabulary of word-images. 
I think you are "feeling it" (like the character) and cannot get 
through this peace without resolving these issues.

I also think that when he uses words incorrectly grammatically or in other
unpredictable ways,
he establishes an instant contact with us through the textual frames. 
He uses strange words not simply as attention-getters, 
but as a sudden moments of a dialogue on "feeling" or other "sensitive"
things that is directed at us, the readers.
So messing with Platonov's weird usage of words, one can affect Platonov's
communication system with his readers, 
constructed very carefully and elaborately. While reading, and running  into
this strangely used words, 
one must stop for a second and subconsciously reflect on language itself -
why the word is used this way and what this means.
Platonov has an amazing flow of course, but he also punctuates his language
with unusual usage, 
creating some strange rhythm of delays and "stops." 
Well, defamiliarization of course - but also something else, putrefy
Platonov's, hard to define.
 

Good luck.

Lily Alexander

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