Translation question: from "Svetlyi prazdnik" by Teffi

[Sasha Spektor]

Dear Robert,
1.  it is hard to imagine, and I think the image might be purposefully
obstructed (as often happens in Modernist prose).
2.  I also think that "выпятив грудь" helps, since it gives an impression
of a haughty attitude towards one's servants.  There's an impression of
arrogance that her walk gives.  As though she's above these petty people.
Still, why are these steps quick and why is it "always" is hard to know.
Who is she, Tolstoy?

Hope this helps.  Best,
Sasha.


On Sat, Dec 22, 2012 at 2:21 PM, Robert Chandler <kcf19 at dial.pipex.com>wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> A young woman, the daughter of the house, has just had a row with the
> kukharka.  And then:
> Она быстро повернулась и ушла той самой походкой, какой всегда ходят
> хозяйки, поругавшись с прислугой: маленькими шагами, ступая быстро, но
> двигаясь медленно, виляя боками и выпятив грудь.
>
> She spun round on her heels and swaggered (??strutted) off in the manner
> of a mistress who has quarrelled with a servant: sticking her chest out and
> swaying her hips, taking quick little steps yet moving slowly.
>
> I find this all rather odd and hard to imagine.  In any other context I
> would imagine that виляя боками was meant to be sexy - but in this context
> that cannot be right, which makes me unhappy with "swaying her hips".
>
> All the best,  Robert
>
> Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD
>
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