On
Translation
In Russian
you say “you ask” this way: спрашиваете
(SPRASH-ee-vah-ee-teh). In other words you take five syllables in Russian to
equal the one syllable (ask) in English. This demonstrates the impossibility of
exact equivalent translation, for how can you render the splash of the SPRASH
and the gentle ripples of the ee-vah-ee-teh with the abrupt jawbone blow
of an ask?
[excerpted from the book by U.R. Bowie, Here We Be. Where Be We?]
