Synthesized answer
The translator expresses regret for introducing new spelling varieties in ancient tribal names, which were already too plentiful and confusing [5]. This situation highlights a tension between the desire to accurately represent the source text, in this case, the French spelling of these names, and the need for clarity and consistency for the target audience, who found the resulting variations confusing [5].
The passages indicate that the translator followed the French spelling of the ancient tribal names too closely, leading to an overabundance of confusing variations [5]. This suggests that while fidelity to the source's orthography was a consideration, it ultimately conflicted with the imperative to ensure that the spellings were clear and not overly varied for the English-speaking audience [5]. The passages do not elaborate on the specific nature of the French spelling that caused this issue, nor do they detail the translator's intended methods for achieving clarity and consistency beyond this specific regret.
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From the book
of the ancient tribal names, new varieties have been introduced, where variety was already too plentiful and confusing. There seem, for example, to be about thirteen ways of spelling “Patzinak.” A list of some of these names as here printed, and of the forms used by Dr. Latham (“Russian and Turk”, London, 1878), is subjoined: Dr. Latham. Tchouvach - - - - - Tshuvash. Tcheremiss - - - - Tsherimis. Mordvians - - - - - Mordvins (otherwise Mordwa). Tchoud - - - - - - Tshud. Dregovitch - - - - Dragovitsae, Dregoviczi. Polovtsi - - - - - Polovcszi. Iatvegues - - - - - Yatshvings. Patzinaks - - - -…
, to express the single Russian chtcha ), and of the f f and the double w , which give them such a repulsive appearance. Only in a few names, sanctioned by usage, I have conformed to the usual orthography; instead of Chouvalof and Chakovskoï , diplomacy and literature have familiarized Schouvalof and Schakovskoï . In the same way I write Moscow and Moskowa , instead of Moskva, which designates both the river and the town. I have tried to reproduce the orthography of the Russian names, though not their pronunciation, which is still more fantastic than in English. We print Orel , Potemkine ,…
yle is eleven days behind ours: in the nineteenth century it is twelve days. Thus the date of the death of Catherine II. has been given as 6th–17th of November, a difference of eleven days, since the event happened in the eighteenth century. But we say the revolution of the 14th–26th of December, 1825, as we are speaking of the nineteenth century. The Translator has retained the orthography of M. Rambaud where it appeared to her to convey to English ears the correct pronunciation. A list of variations in the spelling of ethnographic names will be found in the Preface . Bibliographical notes…
of illustrations edit See also the expanded list of illustrations (in Wikimedia Commons) to view all the images at once. Volume 1 edit Frontispiece — Peter the Great The City of Novgorod The New Palace View of the City of Tobolsk Volume 2 edit Frontispiece — Catherine II, Empress of Russia The Kremlin, Imperial Palace Astrakhan in Russia Nicholas I Observations edit In spelling the Russian names I have adhered to the rational orthography, of which the first example was given by Schnitzler. Thus the Russian k (the Greek kappa ) has been rendered by k , the letter x (aspirated k , the Greek khi…
← History of Russia ( 1898 ) by Alfred Nicolas Rambaud , translated by Leonora Blanche Lang → information about this edition with a supplementary chapter of recent events by Edgar Saltus . Alfred Nicolas Rambaud 9667 History of Russia 1898 Leonora Blanche Lang Preface edit This translation of M. Alfred Rambaud's “Histoire de la Russie” (Paris, 1878) contains a number of emendations by the Author. M. Rambaud has also written many additional pages: on Russian ethnography; on the Esthonian Epic; on the early relations of England and Russia; and on the Emperor Paul's project of attacking England…
More questions about this book
- Given that the text is introduced under Mikhail Lomonosov's title but details a translation of Alfred Rambaud's work, what does this initial discrepancy imply about the nature of historical scholarship or the presentation of historical materials?
- The translator describes difficulties like compiling an index, incorporating author's emendations, and reconciling varied spellings of tribal names. What do these specific challenges reveal about the active, interpretative role of a translator in shaping a historical text, rather than simply transferring words?
- Rambaud's table of contents begins with chapters on "Geography" and "Ethnography" before moving into chronological events. What intellectual argument or foundational understanding does this structural choice establish for the reader, and how might it influence one's approach to the subsequent historical narrative?
- Imagine you must explain to someone, using only this excerpt, that historical knowledge is not merely a collection of facts but a constructed and mediated product. What specific elements from this text would you highlight to illustrate the complex processes of historical research, writing, and dissemination?