Derzhavnaya bogoroditsa?

[Jack Kollmann]

I appreciate the thread of this discussion that calls attention to
cross-cultural dissonances in translation.  As for Uspenie, I favor
"Dormition," with an explication (footnote, if written; verbal explication,
if in a lecture) of the distinction between using "Dormition" vs.
"Assumption."  Not only is "Dormition" a more accurate translation of the
Russian word, but it applies to two types of Orthodox texts and icons:  in
one type, her "going to sleep" in the presence of the Apostles (and
sometimes selected others) is described/portrayed; in the "fuller" type, her
bodily assumption into heaven is added.
Jack Kollmann
Stanford University


-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Michele A. Berdy
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:33 PM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Derzhavnaya bogoroditsa?

Olga Meerson and others can surely comment more authoritatively, but I 
translate it as Dormition. Once I did that in a guidebook and my editors 
were so flustered by it ("Everyone calls it the Assumption Cathedral!") they

made me stick in an explanatory note.

Both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches commemorate the same event on the 
same day. As I understand it, Catholics believe in the Assumption of Mary, 
but leave the question of Her Dormition (falling asleep) open. Orthodox 
believe She reposed and was then assumed into heaven. Because there is a 
theological difference here which is vividly represented in art/icons, I 
think it's a good idea to maintain a difference in terms. But I see on 
OrthodoxWiki the phrase "sometimes also called the Assumption," so maybe I'm

nit-picking.


  So--  while
> we're at it,  how do dear colleagues deal with the slippery concept of 
> "Uspenie"?  Assumption?
> Dormition?    That Cathedral in the Kremlin is often translated as the 
> Assumption Cathedral, although
> I note that the Wikipedia entry uses "Dormition."
>
>
>
> George Kalbouss
> Emeritus  The Ohio State University
>

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------