Finding the original Russian for a quote in English

[Paul B. Gallagher]

Brian Low wrote:

> Given a quote in English, any suggestions on how to do an Internet
> search to find the original Russian?
> 
> The quote is "To think that LHC particle collisions at high energies 
> can lead to dangerous black holes is rubbish. Such rumors were spread
> by unqualified people seeking sensation or publicity." It is 
> attributed to "Academician Vitaly Ginzburg, Nobel Laureate in
> Physics, Lebedev Institute, Moscow, and Russian Academy of Sciences"
> on the CERN website.
> 
> I have found "Ego zadacha, povtoryayu, izuchit' svoystva chastits pri
> bol'shikh energiakh. Nikakogo otnoshenia ko vsyakim glupostyam, k
> Bol'shomu vzrivu, chornim diram i tak dalyeye ne imyeyet. Eto
> kakoye-to zhul'yo ili nevyezhdi, chtobi sdelat' sensatsiu, nachali
> govorit' v takom stilye" at <http://www.vesti.ru/doc.html?id=193109>
> 
> This is quite similar, but not the same. Or is it a very loose
> translation?
> 
> This is for a website critical of the way the safety arguments have 
> been handled (<http://www.WhatIfTheyAreWrong.com>), so if your best 
> friend is a particle physicist, you might not want to help me!
> 
> But thanks if you can.

What I generally do is try to identify unique or rare terms or phrases 
(e.g., "Большой взрив," "чорная дира," etc.) and search on them (in 
combination with the author's last name, of course). But as you note, 
translators can take liberties, so it doesn't always work.

I never cease to be amazed at the ability of some SEELANGS members to 
recognize literary quotes and provide chapter and verse numbers on a 
moment's notice. It's a shame that's not what you have here.

-- 
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

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 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/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------