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When things get translated, they can acquire unexpected meanings. In English even, consider "help" vs "aid".

• snitko 18y ago
  In Russian 'help' and 'aid' would in most cases be the same word, so I doubt Putin misunderstood the guy.
  • critic 18y ago
    Isn't this lack of verbal nuance exactly why Putin could misconstrue an offering of "help" as an offering of humanitarian "aid" to poor computer-illiterate Russia?
    • snitko 18y ago
      No. You might think that (seems logical), but in fact having one word instead of two means you always think of the context. So, he definitely didn't think of this offer as of humanitarian 'aid'. My assumption, is that the message from Dell was to make some sort of business (profitable to Dell, of course) and Russia did not actually need this offer. I guess, Putin replied like that because he was asked a question in the same manner (using this 'help' word instead of 'deal' or 'business'). And, btw, Putin speaks english more or less. At least he knows the word 'help'.
      • critic 18y ago
        > Putin speaks english more or less But does he grok the difference between "help" and "aid"? :-)
        • snitko 18y ago
          Well, how am I supposed to know? ) All I'm saying is that it's very unlikely he misunderstood anything there.