Comments on: Slovak arrow or Slovak gunshot? http://www.tatraworld.nl/2010/03/10/slovak-arrow-or-slovak-gunshot/ Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:07:09 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: smitkees http://www.tatraworld.nl/2010/03/10/slovak-arrow-or-slovak-gunshot/comment-page-1/#comment-46 smitkees Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:15:30 +0000 http://www.tatraworld.nl/?p=547#comment-46 I agree that some terms should not be translated at all. On the other hand, it makes you understand better what one meant with their products. Hadimirska was a nickname, Slovenska Strela an official name in an era that there were other high-speed trains in Europe like the "Fliegende Hamburger" (Flying Hamburger) in Germany. It seems that the Europeans not only rivalized with their train design, but also with the names. Westerners miss the last rivalry when the Czechoslovak term "Strela" is not translated. I agree that some terms should not be translated at all. On the other hand, it makes you understand better what one meant with their products. Hadimirska was a nickname, Slovenska Strela an official name in an era that there were other high-speed trains in Europe like the “Fliegende Hamburger” (Flying Hamburger) in Germany. It seems that the Europeans not only rivalized with their train design, but also with the names. Westerners miss the last rivalry when the Czechoslovak term “Strela” is not translated.

]]> By: jan http://www.tatraworld.nl/2010/03/10/slovak-arrow-or-slovak-gunshot/comment-page-1/#comment-45 jan Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:24:52 +0000 http://www.tatraworld.nl/?p=547#comment-45 Dear Kees, I do not think we reach any final agreement here... “Strela” means a missile – i.e. anything which was shot (“strelit” = shoot), so this might be the closest. “an object or weapon for throwing, hurling, or shooting, as a stone, bullet, or arrow.” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/missile However, many perceive the “missile” as missile - a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control “bolt” might be another synonym, however it has other – not so flashy meanings in English... “arrow” – well compared to the “bullets” and “shots” it is far too slow... “bullet” or “shot” may implicate a particular shape, and might be perceived as too vulgar by some... Question is, whether we need to translate this at all – it is the name of the train (and it is not translated – even in current English timetables) (does somebody translate “Land rover?” or “Overlander” – a train in Australia?). As an example from Tatra world – are you going to attempt Hadimrska? (Had – means “snake”, Mrska” means something like “beastie” à so Hadimrska would be “Snakebeastie”?) Regards jan Dear Kees,

I do not think we reach any final agreement here…

“Strela” means a missile – i.e. anything which was shot (“strelit” = shoot), so this might be the closest.

“an object or weapon for throwing, hurling, or shooting, as a stone, bullet, or arrow.” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/missile

However, many perceive the “missile” as

missile – a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control

“bolt” might be another synonym, however it has other – not so flashy meanings in English…

“arrow” – well compared to the “bullets” and “shots” it is far too slow…

“bullet” or “shot” may implicate a particular shape, and might be perceived as too vulgar by some…

Question is, whether we need to translate this at all – it is the name of the train (and it is not translated – even in current English timetables) (does somebody translate “Land rover?” or “Overlander” – a train in Australia?). As an example from Tatra world – are you going to attempt Hadimrska? (Had – means “snake”, Mrska” means something like “beastie” à so Hadimrska would be “Snakebeastie”?)

Regards

jan

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