Leskov into English: On Translating Soboryane (Church Folks)

摘要

After discussing variant approaches to translation and the characteristics of Nikolai Leskov's prose, the study analyses the language in excerpts selected from Leskov's novel-length chronicle, Soboryane. The samples illustrate the range of Leskov's prose, including straight exposition, archaic language, colloquial language, and the skaz or frame story. Existing translations of these passages in English, French and German are analyzed and suggestions made for translations into English that capture as much as possible of the feel and nuance of the Russian original. The study concludes with a discussion of what is lost in the translation of language in the idiosyncratic style of a writer like Leskov.