walking, going

[Paul B. Gallagher]

Svetlana Grenier wrote:

> Yes, it is clear: in "shla" she was "walking down the street", "walking 
> through the park"; in "khodila", she was "walking back and forth in the 
> street" or "he was walking around in the park."  Of course, if you add 
> other words (say "chasto khodila") it would mean something different.
> At least, that's how it sounds to me!
> 
> Svetlana Grenier
> 
> gladney at ILLINOIS.EDU wrote:
> 
>> Dear Russian Speakers,
>>
>> Here are four scenarios:
>>
>> 1. Ona shla po ulitse.
>>
>> 2. Ona khodila po ulitse.
>>
>> 3. Ona shla po parku.
>>
>> 4. Ona khodil po parku.
>>
>> Is it clear in each case what is going on?

In every case, there are inherent ambiguities that the reader must fill 
in as the context warrants, or leave open if he doesn't care. Is the 
motion linear, circuitous, oscillating, etc.? Is the "she" a woman or a 
girl? Is the street broad or narrow? Was she walking on the sidewalk or 
in the street? Some parks (typically beside streams) are long and narrow 
-- was the motion along the length of the park?

So the question can only be answered if Frank will give us a definition 
of "clear" that suits his purpose.

-- 
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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