Kum

[J P Maher]

Good decision.
Where Target Language lacks an exact equivalent to a word in Source Language, use syntax... 
Instead of  translation interpolate an explanation by circumlocution, 
as the 'kum' can be baptismal sponsor (godfather) and best man at the wedding...
 stands up for, German 'Beistand'.


"Uncle X was my godfather and also best man at my wedding.?  e.g. 
 
j p maher


________________________________
 From: Lina Bernstein <lina.bernstein at FANDM.EDU>
To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.UA.EDU 
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2013 2:49 PM
Subject: Re: [SEELANGS] Kum
 

I've seen "gossip" used for кум. Unfortunately, the word is obscure in English.

On Jul 26, 2013, at 12:27 PM, Muireann Maguire wrote:

>
 Dear colleagues,
> 
> I would welcome some help on finding an English translation of the words 'kum' and 'kuma' which is compatible with early 20th-century peasant vocabulary. I'm translating a short story by one of my usual obscure writers which is set among characters from this period, and they use this word and its variants frequently as terms of informal address. In fact, the story in question is titled 'Kum', making it roundly impossible for the translator to dodge the issue.
> I have tried 'the best friend' (for the title), which is, I feel, too vague, and 'godfather' and 'goddaughter' in the text as appropriate -but  the latter is too inaccurate as the 'kum' relationship is rather on the level of 'god-brother' or 'god-sister' (it refers to the relationship between a child's god-parents). Has anyone any suggestions, or examples of how previous translators have tackled the issue?
> Many thanks in advance,
> 
> Muireann
> 
> Dr Muireann Maguire
> Wadham College, Oxford
> 
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