Beginning of Platonov's skazka "Ivan-chudo"

[Laura Kline]

I might repeat "without children" before "all one feels is shame." The repetition helps convey the rhythm of the passage. Moreover, the occurrence of things three times (here the word "дети") is an important element of folklore.

-----Original Message-----
From: SEELANGS: Slavic & East European Languages and Literatures list [mailto:SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu] On Behalf Of Robert Chandler
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 5:24 AM
To: SEELANGS at bama.ua.edu
Subject: [SEELANGS] Beginning of Platonov's skazka "Ivan-chudo"

Dear all,

The second paragraph of this skazka is difficult to convey in English.

Всем жили ладно муж с женой и прожили лет пять без малого, да не было у них детей, а без детей жить нельзя, без детей совестно.

For five years the husband and wife lived in harmony in every way, but they had no children and a life without children is no life at all; all one feels is shame.  ??  

For five years the husband and wife lived in harmony in every way, but they had no children and without children one can't go on living; all one feels is shame.  ??  

Any thoughts, anyone?

All the best,

Robert

Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD

tel. +44 207 603 3862





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