Teffi: a question about her story "Markita"

[Edythe Haber]

Dear Robert,



I agree with Liza concerning "Bros'te uzh ego."  As for "Nu rebenok, nu, konfetka, nu, mama," as I understand it, this is the point of view of the Tatar, as Raichka interprets it.  He'll see the child, who defines Sasha primarily as a "mama."  Therefore he'll bring the kid some candy and will be "all" -- the end of the relationship.  How best to convey this in English I leave to you.



Best,

Edythe



From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list [SEELANGS at LISTSERV.UA.EDU] on behalf of B. Shir [redorbrown at YAHOO.COM]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 3:57 AM
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.UA.EDU
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Teffi: a question about her story "Markita"


Dear Robert, I guess,
"Bros'te uzh ego" is, in other words, "Ostav'te ego xot' na sekundu, ne nian'chites' s nim tak", live him alone at least for a second - not brutal at all:)

 "Vot i vsyo!" is correct
"Nu, rebenok, nu, konfetka, nu, mama" Just a baby, just one candy, just ordinary mama  - nothing new ("Vot i vsyo!" is correct)
Liza

--- On Thu, 11/15/12, Robert Chandler <kcf19 at DIAL.PIPEX.COM> wrote:

From: Robert Chandler <kcf19 at DIAL.PIPEX.COM>
Subject: [SEELANGS] Teffi: a question about her story "Markita"
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.UA.EDU
Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012, 1:15 AM

Dear all,

Most of this story takes place in a 1920s Paris cafe, where both Raichka and Sashenka are singers.  Raichka sees herself as a woman of the world.  Sashenka is a kind and sensible and loving single mother.  A rich Tatar is showing interest in Sashenka.  Rather charmingly, he begins his courtship by giving a present of some sweets to Sashenka's little boy.

Сидевшая за тем же столиком Раичка шепнула:
- Бросьте уж его. На вас хозяин смотрит. Около двери. С ним татарин. Черный нос. Богатый. Так улыбнитесь же, когда на вас смотрят. На нее смотрят, а она даже не понимает улыбнуться!

Just how brutal is this - Бросьте уж его.?  Is it "Get rid of him!" (Very brutal indeed)  Or "Get him out of the way" (More temporary sounding and therefore less brutal.)

Раичка взяла Сашеньку под руку и зашептала:
- Это все, конечно, к вам относится. И потом, я вам еще посоветую — не таскайте вы с собой ребенка. Уверяю вас, что это очень мужчин расхолаживает. Верьте мне, я все знаю. Ну, ребенок, ну, конфетка, ну, мама — вот и все! Женщина должна быть загадочным цветком (ей-богу!), а не показывать свою домашнюю обстановку. Домашняя обстановка у каждого мужчины у самого есть, так он от нее бежит. Или вы хотите до старости в этой чайной романсы петь? Так если вы не лопнете, так эта чайная сама лопнет.
The sentence beginning "Ну, ребенок, ну, конфетка," is the one I find difficult.  Is it pronounced in a bored tone?  Meaning something like "Women are all the same, and they all have children to whom one has to give sweets"?  The singular конфетка seems odd.  And the вот и все! - Is it "Vot i vsye!" or "Vot i vsyo!"

Thank you!

Robert



Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD





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