Teffi: a question about her story "Markita"

[Robert Chandler]

Ah, this immediately rings true.  Many thanks, Edythe!

R.

On 15 Nov 2012, at 16:14, Edythe Haber <Edythe.Haber at UMB.EDU> wrote:

> 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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Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD

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