Help with a translation: коммерческий отдел

[Robert Chandler]

Dear Andrea and all,

I can't conceive of a succinct translation that would actually convey the meaning to someone who does not already understand this system.  So yes, you need to add explanation somewhere, in an introduction, an endnote or by slipping it into the text.  Whichever way you choose, I would encourage you to explain it fully, as you have in your message.  There are a lot of readers who will find this kind of real-life background very interesting.

As for translation, "market dept" and "market vodka" might be possible - but you will, as I have said, need to expalain these terms.

All the best,

Robert

On 23 Dec 2013, at 19:16, Andrea Gregovich <agregovich at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> Hello SEELANGERS!
> 
> I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good English translation for a Soviet concept.  In a novella I'm translating set in 1990, two characters run into each other in the коммерческий отдел of the универмаг and discuss buying a bottle of коммерческая водка.  The author has explained to me some of the things that went on in 1990 in attempt to ration products and manage shortages, such as the «книга покупателя» ration books.  This коммерческий отдел is part of the larger rationing scheme, where you could buy the otherwise rationed products at a much higher price, hence the "commercial vodka".  I'd prefer not to footnote this, and I may find a way to add a line of text to explain it, but I'm wondering if there's an already recognized English translation for the коммерческий отдел, or if anyone has any brilliant ideas for what to call it.  The "commercial department" doesn't make any sense in English.
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> Andrea Gregovich
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Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD





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