Fortochka

[Francoise Rosset]

On Wed, 2 Feb 2011 12:43:00 +0000
  William Ryan <wfr at SAS.AC.UK> wrote:
> A transom window, which may or may not open, is normally above a 
>door transom, and full width, so not the same thing at all. Also, 
>"fortochka" is a word used very frequently in Russian while "transom" 
>is not much used in English.

Agreed on transom.
As for the issue of frequency, the difficulty in finding a proper 
translation may reflect the fact that while fortochki are common in 
Russia, they are not so in Western Europe or in the U.S. So why would 
English have a word for it? especially a common one ...

Our classes have large windows with smaller middle bottom panes that 
open out. Nobody knows what to call them. I'll see whether _Fine 
Homebuilding_ has a term handy

Ventilation window has worked for me, AFTER I explain to the students 
what it is.

-FR

Francoise Rosset, Associate Professor
Chair, Russian and Russian Studies
Coordinator, German and Russian
Wheaton College
Norton, Massachusetts 02766
Office: (508) 285-3696
FAX:   (508) 286-3640

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