3 ms·
I’ve had a hard time trying to read both Dostoevsky and Tolstoy because of the names. I guess because I don’t speak Russian, the names are long and complicated
by user3939382 4y ago
I’ve had a hard time trying to read both Dostoevsky and Tolstoy because of the names. I guess because I don’t speak Russian, the names are long and complicated and in most cases, compounding the problem, there are too many characters. It makes it very difficult to read “in my head” and keep track of what’s going on.
- emj 4y agoAt least in Crime and punishment the names have a meaning. So you can look them up and see if it fits the characters. I just go by how the characters act, until have differentiated themselves enough I do not learn the names, a bit like real life.
- jmartrican 4y agoI had similar problem. The audio version helped. I never remembered any of their names, but their voices stood out.
- np_tedious 4y agoWonder if "translating" names could help?
- ashika 4y agothe best translations will usually have a brief explanation of the function various forms of patronymic & affectionate name forms which carry meaning in russian. translating every instance of an affectionate name to "hun" or "buster" or whatever modern english uses would be a bit too much, i think. some of the more formal honorific aliases may have no real english equivalent but once explained its not hard to follow along with the author's intent. "oh this weasel is laying it on thick..." etc.