Historical reference - "zhalet'"

[Inna Caron]

Hmm, the first message for some reason posted blank...
I think the same happened recently to Sasha Smith.

Dear Sarah,

The use of Rus is circumstantial: it simply means "as ancient Russians used
to put it...", and it refers to the fact that in old Russian the verb
"zhalet'" (and the underlying sentiment) expressed the tender love, usually
that of a woman for a man (husband, son, etc.), although not exclusively.
Some Slavic language - I am afraid to be mistaken here, but I think it is
Belorussian - still uses it in that sense. I vaguely recall a popular Soviet
song, whose lyrics stated explicitly that a woman says "zhaleiu" in the
sense of "liubliu." 

As for a good English translation, I think the use of Middle English would
be best, but as far as modern terms, it would go something like "Do you care
for your man?" - "Sure thing, my heart is breaking for him..."

Inna Caron

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list
[mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Sarah Hurst
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 12:46 AM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: [SEELANGS] Historical reference?

I'm trying to translate the following sentence, which refers to someone who
lost his legs in World War II. Does anyone know what this reference to Rus
is about and how it might be conveyed in English?

 

А то, что увечье, так, может, оно делало его еще более привлекательным,
говорилось ведь на Руси: <Любишь своего?> - <Жалею, вестимо...>

 

Sarah Hurst


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