Language

The Summer Fiction issue of the "New Yorker" ran 'Natasha' one of Nabokov's Russian short stories in English translation. In the translation Natasha runs from here tenement apartment to the "drugstore" to get medicine for her father. Upon reading that word [we] immediately assume that Natasha, her father, and Baron Wolfe are domiciled in the United States (New York and Chicago). Instead, later in the story we find out that they are exiled to a mittel-European city; probably in Germany. It surpised me , therefore, that the translator or editors hadn't used the word(s): apothecary, apothek, or pharmacy - which would evoke a European setting (or at least blend into the narrative without notice). Drugstores only exist in the USA. david Remnick editor of the New Yorker wrote an extended piece on Russo-English translation in an issue two-three years ago: as
he studied Russian literature, and language, in college. It is a nuance I thought he should have picked-up.

Normally I would write a Letter to the Editor (I am an inveterate scribbler) but for now I have this blog to make blogworthy mention, instead. (Haven't convinced the "New Yorker" or "Vanity Fair" letter editors to publish yet... only been trying for 10 years I guess. For the record, Graydon I hate the hair).

Meanwhile, two other words upon which the "English" speaker stumbles: Bedsit = Loft.
The tendency of English is to reveal the quotidian or prolish in life. (The breakthrough of TS Eliot made by moving to 'blighty'). One sits on the bed, or all things in the space sit by the bed. Nothing "lofty" about it.
Toilet = Toilet

This plain speaking is what marks the radicalism and dangerousness of the Daniel Day Lewis character in "There will be blood" appositely named Daniel Plainview. It's as if, to the American sensibility, he perjures himself every time he opens his mouth - and speaks what he thinks to be true.

Therein lays the challenge of presidential hopeful McCain... constantly pilloried because he might "snap" and actually say what he thinks to be true. Nobody wants that... An that threat might just flush his campaign "down the restroom".