translation question

[Ralph Cleminson]

In the British Army, the lowest rank of commissioned officer in infantry
regiments until 1871 was an ensign (cornet in the cavalry), the
equivalent of a second lieutenant nowadays.  I am not certain, but I
believe that some regiments may still keep up the tradition of using the
term for officers who are officially second lieutenants.

>>> "Paul B. Gallagher" <paulbg at PBG-TRANSLATIONS.COM> 21/07/08 4:10 PM
>>>
Vadim Besprozvany wrote:

> The answer of the second question is much obvious: "praporshchik"  
> (Engl. ensign) is a junior officer in an infantry regiment; from  
> "prapor" - "flag, banner" *(cf. with English "ensign"). "Warrant  
> Officer" usually means in Russian "unter-oficer."  ...

I don't claim to know British usage, but in American English, "ensign" 
is specifically a naval rank, roughly like "lieutenant" in the other 
services. It would sound very peculiar for us to hear an army officer 
called "ensign."

-- 
War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
--
Paul B. Gallagher
pbg translations, inc.
"Russian Translations That Read Like Originals"
http://pbg-translations.com

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