Lefty distorted words. Functions of occasional words in Leskov’s tale “Lefty”
SCIENTIFIC AND PRACTICAL CONFERENCE
"FIRST STEPS INTO SCIENCE"
LANGUAGE FEATURES OF N. S. LESKOV’S TALE “LEFT-HANDED.”
Completed by a student of grade 8 "G" MOBU secondary school No. 4
Mayatskaya Anastasia.
(Scientific adviser)
Dostoevsky's equal - he is a missed genius.
Igor Severyanin.
Any subject, any activity, any work seems uninteresting to a person if it is not clear. The work of Nikolai Semenovich Leskov “Lefty” is not very popular among seventh graders. Why? I think because it is complex and incomprehensible to schoolchildren of this age. And when you start to think about it, figure it out, assume and get to the bottom of the truth, then things open up. most interesting moments. And personally, I now think the story “Lefty” is one of the most extraordinary works Russian literature, in the linguistic structure of which so much is hidden for the modern schoolchild...
The linguistic features of the story “Lefty” were subject of study our work. We tried to deal with every word usage unusual for the modern Russian language, and, if possible, find the reasons for the differences. We had to track this kind changes in all sections of the language: phonetics, morphemics, morphology, syntax, punctuation, spelling, spelling. This is what it's all about structure our work is a description of linguistic changes in different sections of the language, although it should be noted right away that this classification is very relative, because some language changes can be attributed to several sections at once (however, like many phenomena of modern language).
So , target work - study the work “Lefty” (The Tale of the Tula Oblique Lefty and the Steel Flea) for its linguistic features, identify word usages unusual for the modern Russian language at all language levels and, if possible, find explanations for them.
2. The reasons for the occurrence of inconsistencies in word usage in the tale “Lefty” and the modern Russian language.
“The Tale of the Tula Oblique Lefty and the Steel Flea” was published in 1881. It is clear that significant changes have occurred in the language over 120 years - and this first reason the appearance of discrepancies with modern norms of word usage.
The second one is genre feature. “Lefty” entered the treasury of Russian literature also because it brought to perfection such a stylistic device as the skaz.
A tale is, by definition, “an artistic orientation towards an oral monologue of a narrative type; it is an artistic imitation of monologue speech.” If you think about the definition, it will become obvious that a work of this genre is characterized by a mixture of spoken (“oral monologue”) and book (“artistic imitation”) speech.
“Skaz”, as a word in the Russian language, clearly originated from the verb “skazat”, the full meaning of which is perfectly explained by: “speak”, “explain”, “notify”, “say” or “bayat”, that is, the skaz style goes back to folklore It is closer not to literary, but to colloquial speech(which means it is used a large number of colloquial word forms, words of so-called folk etymology). The author, as it were, is eliminated from the narrative and reserves the role of recording what he hears. (Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka is in this style). In "Lefty" the imitation of oral monologue speech carried out at all levels of language, Leskov is especially inventive in word creation. And this The second reason discrepancies with modern literary norms.
Sources artistic language the writer are varied - they are primarily associated with his stock of life observations, deep acquaintance with the life and language of various community groups. The sources of the language were both ancient secular and church books, historical documents. “On my own behalf, I speak in the language of ancient fairy tales and church folk in purely literary speech,” said the writer. In my notebook Leskov lists ancient Russian words and expressions that interested him for their expressiveness, which he later uses in the text. works of art. Thus, in the texts of the works, the author also used Old Russian and Church Slavonic word forms, rooted in the distant linguistic past. And this third reason discrepancies between language word forms in Leskov’s work and modern ones.
Igor Severyanin, also distinguished by his unusual word-creation, once wrote a sonnet dedicated to him. There were lines:
Dostoevsky's equal, he is a missed genius.
Enchanted wanderer of the catacombs of language!
It is through these catacombs of language in Leskov’s work “Lefty” that I suggest you go.
VOCABULARY.
Turning to popular vernacular, spoken language, folklore expressions, using words with folk etymology, Leskov tries to show that Russian folk speech is extremely rich, talented, and expressive.
Obsolete words and forms of words.
The text of the work “Lefty”, of course, is unusually rich in archaisms and historicisms (chubuk, postilion, kazakin, erfix (sobering agent), talma...), but any modern edition contains the necessary number of footnotes and explanations of such words, so that each student can read them independently. We were more interested obsolete forms of words:
Adjective comparative degree more useful, that is, more useful;
The participle “servant” as a noun from the lost verb “serve”: “... showed to the servant on the mouth."
The short participle of “blankets” (that is, dressed) from the disappeared blanket.
The participle “hosha”, formed from the verb “to want” (with the modern suffix –sh-, by the way)
The use of the word “although” instead of the modern “though”: “Now if I had Although there is one such master in Russia..."
The case form “on digits” is not a mistake: along with the word “digit”, there also existed the now obsolete (with a touch of irony) form “tsifir”.
Obsolete form of the adverb " alone" instead of "however".(Like " far away burst out: hurray "y).
The appearance of the so-called prosthetic consonant “v” between vowels
(“right-wingers") was characteristic of the Old Russian language in order to eliminate the unusual phenomenon of gaping (confluence of vowels).
Colloquial expressions:
-“...a glass of sour milk choked out";
-“..great I’m driving”, that is, quickly
-“...so watered without mercy,” that is, they beat.
-“...something will take..." that is, it will distract.
-“...smoked without stop"
Pubel poodle
Tugament instead of document
Kazamat - casemate
Symphon - siphon
Grandevu - rendezvous
Schiglets = boots
Washable – washable
Half skipper-sub skipper
Puplection - apoplexy (stroke)
Words with folk zytymology, most often formed by combining words.
Coach two-seater– a combination of the words “double” and “sit down”
The text shows fluctuations in the gender of nouns, which is typical of the literary norm of that time: “. .shutter slammed"; and unusual, erroneous forms: “his by force did not hold back", that is, the instrumental case according to the model male declined, although the nominative case is a feminine noun.
Mixing case forms. The word “look” can be used both with nouns in V. p. and with nouns in R. p.., Leskov mixed these forms: “... in different countries miracles look."
- “Everything here is in your sight,” and provide.”, that is, “view”.
- “... Nikolai Pavlovich was terrible... memorable." (instead of “memorable”)
- “...they look at the girl without hiding, but with all relatedness.”(relatives)
-“...so that not a single minute for the Russian usefulness didn’t disappear” (benefits)
Inversion:
- “...now very angry.”
- “...you will have something worthy of presenting to the sovereign’s splendor.”
Mixing styles (colloquial and bookish):
-“...I wish you soon native place, because otherwise I might get a form of insanity.”
-“...no emergency holidays” (special)
- “...wants a detailed intention to discover about the girl...”
-“..from here with the left-hander and foreign species have come.”
-“...we’re going to look at their weapons cabinet, there are such nature of perfection"
- “...every person has everything for himself absolute circumstances It has". In addition, the use of such a form of the predicate verb is not typical of the Russian language (as, for example, English; and it is the English that the hero is talking about).
-“.. I don’t know now , for what need Is this kind of repetition happening to me?
Conclusion.
As can be seen from the examples given, changes have occurred at all levels of language. I believe that having become familiar with at least some of them, seventh graders will not only receive new information, but also with great interest will relate to reading the work “Lefty”.
For example, we suggested that our classmates work with examples from the “Vocabulary” section, here you can show your ingenuity, your linguistic flair, and no special preparation is required. Having explained several variants of words with folk etymology, they offered to figure out the rest on their own. The students were interested in the work.
And I would like to end my research with the words of M. Gorky: “Leskov is also a wizard of words, but he did not write plastically, but told stories, and in this art he has no equal. His story is an inspired song, simple, purely Great Russian words, descending one after another into intricate lines, sometimes thoughtfully, sometimes laughingly, ringing, and you can always hear in them a reverent love for people...”
1.Introduction (relevance of the topic, structure of the work, purpose of the study).
2. Reasons for the occurrence of inconsistencies in word usage in the work “Lefty” and in the modern Russian language.
3. Study of the language features of the tale “Lefty” at all levels:
Vocabulary;
Morphology;
Word formation;
Phonetics;
Textual criticism;
Syntax and punctuation;
Spelling.
4. Conclusion.
References.
1. . Novels and stories, M.: AST Olimp, 1998
2. . . Historical grammar of the Russian language.-M.: Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 1963
3. . Dictionary living Great Russian language (1866). Electronic version.
The storytelling style of Nikolai Semyonovich Leskov’s “Lefty” presupposes the presence of a storyteller, a storyteller who not only narrates the events described in the work, but is himself a participant in these events. Therefore, the language and style of the tale reproduce living oral speech. The tale “Lefty” is full of diverse and very colorful words that reflect not only inner world heroes, but also them social status and education.
“...This popular, vulgar and pretentious language, in which many pages of my works are written, was not composed by me, but was overheard from a peasant, from an intellectual, from eloquent speakers, from holy fools and saints,” wrote N.S. Leskov.
Leskov himself said that the idea for the tale “Lefty” arose from a saying that says that the British made a steel flea, and the Russians shod this flea. And in the tale itself we meet folk sayings: “At least he has a sheep’s fur coat, but a human soul.”
The writer builds his work by stylizing some episodes, for example, as a fairy tale. Thus, the dialogue between the Tsar and Platov resembles a fairy tale opening:
“The Emperor says: “What do you, courageous old man, want from me?” And Platov replies: “I, Your Majesty, don’t need anything for myself...”
The speech of simple artisans in Leskov is typical of common people. The left-handed man, in response to the sovereign’s proposal to use a microscope while the craftsmen are working, replies that they can do the work without a “small scope”, since they already have a “shot eye.”
But the reader will see Leskov’s so-called “word creation” where the character encounters a foreign concept that is incomprehensible to an illiterate person. This is how distorted words appear: “Abolon polvedersky”, instead of busta - “busters”, “ukushka” instead of couch, “whistle”, while messengers should be used, or instead of table - “dolbitsa”. Some people interpret Leskov’s characters in a rather unique way. foreign words, clarifying their meaning in their own way. Probably, the expression “wind cap” is more understandable to the common person, and not some strange “hood” or “wetproof cables” - “galoshes”.
Emperor Alexander I looks quite peculiar in the tale “Lefty.” Leskov says that Alexander Pavlovich decided not to go to Europe, but to “take a ride.” This word is close in structure and meaning to a word like “to take a ride,” that is, to take a superficial walk. Thus, the author belittles the image of the king, who makes a rather frivolous journey. But the use of the verb “gasp” in the emperor’s speeches shows how lost and helpless he looks in the eyes of readers.
The impression of authenticity of what is happening in the tale “Lefty” is created largely thanks to the living, believable language of Leskov’s characters. At one time, the writer opposed the introduction of alien and dissonant foreign words into the Russian language. Therefore we are in this work We see a parody of the use in the Russian language of words that do not take root in it, coming from the West.
“We must protect our rich and beautiful language from damage,”
Wrote N.S. Leskov in 1878. This call from a nineteenth-century writer is more relevant than ever now, when our language is under powerful attacks that are destroying its integrity and originality!
Municipal educational institution
"Secondary general education
Russian-Tatar school No. 000
Sovetsky district of Kazan"
Research
on this topic:
"Folk etymology in the tale
"Lefty."
Done the job
Zagidullina Denmark.
Checked the work
and literature
Solovyova M. G.
Kazan - 2009
Target:
Identify and describe the phenomenon of folk etymology in the tale “Lefty”.
Tasks:
Find out the understanding of the morphemic composition of a word and the motivation for its meaning based on convergence with consonant words that are different from it in origin.
Relevance:
The fate of Lefty symbolizes for Leskov the fate of the entire nation, the potential of which is enormous, but constrained by external circumstances. In the tale the writer embodies epic image a gifted master living in the consciousness of the people. To do this, Leskov uses the technique of “folk etymology” - distortion of the word into folk style, reproduces conversation ordinary people, which is relevant and informative today.
Practical meaning:
If a student knows from which language a word came into Russian, how it is formed, and what its etymology is, then he will never make a spelling mistake.
1. Introduction.
2. Main part.
B) Folk etymology.
3. Conclusion.
1.Introduction.
In the tale “Lefty” we encounter many new words. Word creation begins where the narrator or hero encounters non-Russian names that are incomprehensible to an illiterate person. The artisan, talking about things unfamiliar and foreign to him, distorts their names according to his idea of them. But at the same time, the narrator puts a humorous meaning into them in the spirit of popular understanding.
The irregularities that appear in the text reflect folk etymology (the science of the origin and history of words). Big encyclopedic Dictionary defines folk etymology as an understanding of the morphemic composition of a word and the motivation of its meaning based on convergence with consonant words that are different from it in origin. In other words, folk etymology is an alteration and rethinking of a borrowed (less often native) word according to the model of a word close in sound to it native language, but which differs from it in origin. Unlike scientific etymology, folk etymology is based not on the laws of language development, but on the random similarity of words.
Researchers have documented more than 3,000 tumors different parts speeches in Leskov’s works. He was the first in Russian literature to consistently use this method of word formation as an artistic device.
This is a feature of the writer's individual style.
Word game displays the rating, creates comic effect. It characterizes one’s outlook, attitude towards the usual phenomena of life, as well as another culture (the life of kings, English workers). In addition, word creation, “linguistic tricks,” wit, and buffoonery are manifestations of the talent of the Russian people, because the ability to speak “outlandishly” is not granted to everyone, just like any skill.
3. Main part.
A) "Left-handed". The originality of the genre.
The colorful character of a gifted Russian man and his fate in Russia are the focus of attention in his tale “Lefty”. The writer actively uses traditions folk tale, oral tradition, jokes. Striving for authenticity of the image folk life, the writer resorts to specific storytelling techniques developed by folklore, which ensure maximum objectivity of the story.
The plot of the tale is based on the characteristic folk epic motive of competition, rivalry, struggle.
The whole story is told from the point of view common man. It would seem that Leskov does not find himself anywhere. But in covering events, it is important for Leskov not only to see the whole story through the eyes of a character close to the hero, but also to correct him. Leskov reminds of himself either with a caustic word, or with a deliberately satirical depiction, or with a sad reflection. No matter how skilled Lefty is, his craft loses a lot from the fact that he creates on a whim, by inspiration, without taking into account the simplest knowledge. Therefore, Leskov is not only admired by the skill of the Russian man, but is sarcastic. His satire is directed, of course, not at Lefty, who “doesn’t know how to read and write,” but at those who excommunicated him from enlightenment and left his talent gray, unfinished. The fate of Lefty symbolizes for Leskov the fate of the entire nation, the potential of which is enormous, but constrained by external circumstances. Therefore, without abandoning the hymn to the talent of the ordinary Russian person, Leskov significantly sharpens satirical image, and the whole tale takes on a tragic sound. Leskov seems to be confronting two intonations and narratives: laudatory and sarcastic. The motive of rivalry allows the writer to give an incident, occasion, or curiosity a national, generalizing meaning. Life talented person in Russia, according to the writer, it is tragic and no one needs it. But Leskov does not lose faith in folk character, in his resilience, humane and moral principles.
In the tale, he embodies the epic image of a gifted master living in the consciousness of the people. The writer uses the technique of “folk etymology” - distortion of the word in a folk way, reproduces the oral dialect of ordinary people: “multiplication dot”, “two-light” (double), “nymphosoria” (ciliates), “prelamut” (mother of pearl), “without -reason”, etc.
Concluding the story about Lefty, he wrote: “This is their epic, and, moreover, with a very “human soul.” The writer strove to ensure that the thoughts and beliefs dear to him seemed to come from the people’s heart. That's why he introduced so widely folklore motives, and the whole tale grew out of the proverb “The Tula people shoed a flea.”
B) Folk etymology.
The phenomenon of folk etymology is a striking sign of vernacular speech, therefore, to characterize the speech of their characters, writers often resort to using words reinterpreted by accidental consonance and semantic similarity. This is the phenomenon we observe.
What interesting examples folk etymology we find in? Here is an incomplete list of words that illustrate the phenomenon of folk etymology.
- couch - "couch" messengers - “whistle” table - “dobe” Apollo Belvedere - "Abolon of Polvedere" camel - "marble" pyramids - “ceramides” variations - "beliefs" mother of pearl - “prelamut” poodle - "pubel" document - “tugament” pudding - "studding" socks - “boots” dance - "danse" microscope - "melkoskop" pari - "parey" bay - "buffa" Mediterranean - "Solid Earth" barometer - "storm meter" “nymphosoria” - from the words nymph and ciliates “public” - from the words public and police “slander” - from the words feuilleton and slander.
Let's try to explain how some of these hilarious words came about. In my opinion, it is completely clear why the socks were called boots. They put them on their feet! Yes, and messengers used a whistle to attract attention. Probably, the barometer received an even more accurate name: it can be used to determine the approach of bad weather or a storm. This is where the storm meter appears in the speech of Leskov’s heroes. And the beliefs sound quite reasonable, because the word “variation” comes from the Latin “change.”
It is interesting to use word-formation models of the Russian language to explain words of foreign origin.
Pudding is a casserole made from porridge, cottage cheese, and fruit. Apparently, this meal reminded our heroes Russian dish- jelly.
A feuilleton is a newspaper or magazine article on a topical topic, using humorous and satirical devices presentation. However, false information can also be used in feuilletons. And then it really turns into slander.
In a similar way, the words appeared: melkoscope, stormmeter, nymphosoria, public, etc.
The tale contains many linguistic curiosities in the spirit of buffoons; even in the language of the emperor there are irregularities. The language of the tale imitates living oral speech. The narrator speaks on behalf of the people themselves, therefore he distorts unfamiliar, especially foreign words so that they become close and understandable to him. The distortion of words revealed folk wit (slander), resourcefulness (storm meter), and irony (Count Kiselvrode).
The term folk etymology was introduced by the German linguist Förssmann in the middle of the last century. In Russia, such prominent scientists as de Courtenay, modern linguists, and others wrote about folk etymology. However, when describing folk etymology, modern authors mainly use examples from the fund created by Russian linguists in turn of XIX-XX centuries and replenished very sparingly. This suggests that folk etymological words arise, firstly, in oral speech, secondly, among the illiterate or those who have not received sufficient education, they are not recorded or recorded. With growth scientific knowledge and linguistic culture, this phenomenon may disappear altogether.
Now the principle of bringing together different, but somewhat consonant words, characteristic of folk etymology, is used by some students when writing dictations. Of course, such “folk etymology” does not save them; on the contrary, it leads to spelling errors. This happens when a word (and even a foreign one) contains a vowel [a] or [o], [e] that cannot be verified by stress. So the writer is looking for an explanation, bringing together the word he needs with a similar sounding one and does not take into account that they are etymologically completely unrelated. For example, how to write the word vanilla (French vanille) and morality (French moga1e)? A person who is not literate enough can write “stink” and “stain”, elevating vanilla to the word stench, and morality to the verb smear. If the student knows from which language the word came into the Russian language, how it was formed, what its etymology is, then he will never make a spelling mistake. Let's look into the etymological dictionary more often!
3. Conclusion.
Leskov called himself an “artist of style,” that is, a writer who masters living, not literary speech. From this speech he drew its imagery and strength, clarity and precision, lively emotional excitement and musicality. Leskov believed that in Orlovskaya and Tula provinces the peasants speak surprisingly figuratively and aptly. “So, for example,” the writer reports, “a woman does not say about her husband, “he loves me,” but says, “he pities me.” Think about it, and you will see how complete, tender, accurate and clear it is. A husband does not talk about a pleasant wife says that he “liked” her, he says, “she came with all my thoughts.” Look again, what clarity and completeness.”
In an effort to enrich, strengthen language means artistic depiction and expressiveness, Leskov skillfully used the so-called folk etymology. Its essence lies in rethinking words and phrases in the spirit of the common people, as well as in the sound deformation of words (especially of foreign origin). Both are carried out on the basis of corresponding semantic and sound analogies. In the story "Lady Macbeth" Mtsensk district" we read: “Few people will speak to you with a long tongue.” In “Warrior”: “Why are you... you’re really disgusting yourself.” In “Lefty”: “two-seater carriage”, “small scope”, “nymphosoria”, etc. etc. Of course, Leskov overheard such speeches not for the sake of their aesthetic collecting or photographic copying, but in the name of achieving certain ideological and artistic goals. Reinterpretation and sound deformation of words and phrases in the narrator’s speech often gave the language of the work an almost elusive comic or parody-satirical quality, humorous and ironic tone.
Used Books:
1. Encyclopedia for children. T. 10: Linguistics. Russian language. M., 1999.
2. , Bobrova dictionary of the Russian language. M., 1994.
3. , Telenkova - reference book linguistic terms. M., 1985.
4. http://*****
5. http://ru. wikipedia. org/
6. http://*****
7. ksana – k / people / ru / book / 3 tom / 3 / literature / 12/ htm Features of the poetics of works
This is one of Leskov's most popular works. Written in the form of a folk tale in 1881 and then published in the magazine “ Rus"under the title "The Tale of the Tula Oblique Left-Hander and the Steel Flea (Workshop Legend)."
The subtitle “The Guild Legend” and Leskov’s remark in the preface to the first separate edition of 1882, which states that he “wrote down” this legend, gave readers and literary scholars reason to consider the tale as translated by Leskov folk epic, “a specially gunsmith’s legend.”
In fact, the preface and the narrator, on whose behalf the story is supposedly told, are just a literary and artistic device, a frame into which the tale is inserted.
Leskov often used this technique to give his narrative not only artistic, but also everyday “authenticity.” For this purpose, he also indicated the imaginary source of the plot, in in this case an old Sestroretsk gunsmith, a native of Tula.
Historical “authenticity” is achieved by the fact that the story features Ataman Platov, Kleinmichel, Skobelev and other historical figures, as well as some historical details of the first half of the 19th century century. ( This material will help you write a story correctly on the topic of Lefty. A summary does not make it possible to understand the full meaning of the work, so this material will be useful for a deep understanding of the work of writers and poets, as well as their novels, novellas, short stories, plays, and poems.) But historical “reliability” is also just a background, an artistic means often used by Leskov in his work. The work does not always follow the chronological sequence of events; there are anachronisms. However, at the same time, the “general spirit” of the era of feudal Russia in the story, in the words of the author himself, is “captured accurately and correctly.”
The story gave readers a complete illusion of the folk legend, and Leskov, already in the same 1882, in his “literary explanation” had to say that “Lefty is a person... made up.”
In the last lifetime edition of “Lefty,” in the collected works of 1894, the author shifted the emphasis in the title from “flea” to “Lefty,” thereby emphasizing the decisive importance of the character of the hero, and not the “guild” master, in the content of the tale.
Leskov himself noted the essence and significance of the image of Lefty as “an exponent of the Russian people.”
Previously, the writer created images of “well done heroes” such as Ivan Severyanovich Flyagin or Golovan. Lefty also belongs to this group. Only all the beauty and strength of Lefty is concentrated in his truly wonderful talent as a nugget, a jack of all trades. And in appearance, the hero of the tale is not just unprepossessing - outwardly he should have given the impression of almost a freak: left-handed, and even with a sideways eye! Leskov very subtly reflects here the feature of folk tales, in which the clumsy, simple-minded Ivanushka often becomes the winner in puzzling, difficult situations.
In its essence, Lefty is a folk-heroic character, “a myth personified by folk fantasy.” Lefty's love for his homeland and willingness to sacrifice himself for its good are truly limitless.
Noble persons and officials are depicted in the story as stupid, cruel, arrogant people sitting on the necks of the people. Such are both emperors, Count Kleinmichel, General Skobelev and even Ataman Platov.
The language of skaz is inimitable and inimitable, rich in vivid folk vocabulary in a special, Leskovian, treatment. Leskov's linguistic innovations were regarded by some critics as thoughtless mannerisms or simply eccentricity.
The main narration, which is told on behalf of the narrator, a simple gunsmith, is characterized by a humorous speech mood, which seems to emphasize the “epic character of his main character” and the tragic fate this essentially nameless genius with a very “human soul.”
And only in the last, very short, twentieth chapter, which serves as an afterword, the narration is told on behalf of the author. There is no speech style of skaz here and purely literary vocabulary is used.
“Lefty” was warmly received by readers, was republished many times during the life and after the death of the writer and entered the golden fund of Russian classical literature.
Council of Vienna - refers to the Congress of Vienna of 1814-1815, in which the victorious powers over Napoleonic France, including Russia, participated. Emperor Alexander I played the main role at the Congress of Vienna.
Platov Matvey Ivanovich (1751-1818) - ataman (hetman) of the Don Cossack troops, cavalry general. Active participant in the Patriotic War of 1812. After the conclusion of peace, he accompanied Alexander I to London.
Tseykhgauz - military clothing warehouse.
Kunstkamera (German) - unsystematic meeting various rarities.
Humpbacked - hunchbacked. Folding - folding icon.
Double-height - designed for two (a combination of the words “double” and “sit down”).
Busters are a combination of the words “busts” and “chandeliers”. Canopy - canopy.
Abolon Polvedere - Apollo Belvedere. (Famous statue. Monument of ancient Roman art, standard of male beauty.)
Storm meter - derived from the words “storm” and “barometer”. Merblyuzi - camels. Mantons - from the word “manto”. Waterproof - a waterproof raincoat.
Agitation - here: indifference, equanimity (derived from the words “agitation” and “expectation”).
Twelve language - refers to Napoleon's army, which consisted of soldiers from different nations.
Recklessness is derived from the words “recklessness” and “prejudice.”
Mortimer's gun. - Mortimer G.-V., English gunsmith of the 18th century.
Pistola is a pistol.
I would make him noble - that is, he elevated him to the rank of nobility. Bend - bend.
Molvo sugar - named after the St. Petersburg sugar factory early XIX century J. Molvo.
Bobrinsky plant - A. Bobrinsky sugar factory, near Kyiv, which existed since the 30s of the 19th century.
Nymphosoria - from the words “ciliate” and “nymph”.
Ceramide is a pyramid.
Danse dance - here: in the meaning of some dance form.
Melkoscope - microscope. Probability - variation. Prelamut - mother of pearl.
Root tube - carved from the root of a tree. ... Zhukov's pound of tobacco... - named after the owner of the St. Petersburg tobacco factory V. Zhukov. The couch has a couch. Without ceasing - without stopping.
At its rise there was confusion... - this refers to the Decembrist uprising upon the accession of Nicholas I to the throne.
Platov was still alive... - Platov by this time was no longer alive (see note to p. 343).
... “two ninety versts” - one hundred and eighty versts.
Saint Athos is a peninsula in Greece, famous for its monasteries.
Sing with the Babylons - with twists, with twists.
The Zusha River is a tributary of the Oka.
Whistling - from the words “messenger” and “whistle”. ...sweaty spiral... - stale air. Pubel is a poodle. Tugament is a document.
Kazamat - casemate (solitary cell in a fortress).
Count Kisselrode - Count K.V. Nesselrode, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1822 to 1856.
“... se tre juli” (French) - ... this is very nice.
Studing - from the words “jelly” and “pudding”.
Public - from the words “public” and “police”.
Slander - from the words “feuilleton” and “slander”.
Symphon - siphon.
Erfix is a sobering agent.
Grandevu - rendezvous (French) - date.
Plis is a heavy cotton fabric like velvet.
Talma is a sleeveless cape.
Shiglet - booties.
Multiplication dolbit - multiplication table.
Solid Earth Sea - Mediterranean Sea.
Trepetir - from the words “tremble” and “repeater” (a mechanism in a pocket watch that chimes time when a special spring is pressed).
Bufta - bay.
Watering - from the words “water” and “drowning”. Presentation - here: tarpaulin. Guinea pig- seasickness. Half-skipper - sub-skipper (assistant skipper). Bet - bet.
To Riga's Dynaminde... - Dynaminde is a port at the mouth of the Western Dvina.
Murin is a black man.
Obukhvinskaya hospital - Obukhovskaya. ...chicken with lynx... - chicken with rice.
Kleinmichel P.A. - Manager of Russian Railways from 1842 to 1855.
I received complete puppletion - an apoplectic stroke.
Skobelev I.N. - since 1839, commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress. A mediocre writer of pseudo-patriotic novels.
Doctors from the clergy... Martyn-Solsky.- Martyn Dmitrievich Solsky is a famous doctor in St. Petersburg.
Chernyshev A.I. - Minister of War from 1827 to 1852.
Clyster tube - here: clyster tube.
... “deeds of days gone by” - a quote from the first song of A. S. Pushkin’s poem “Ruslan and Lyudmila" From Pushkin: “Deeds of bygone days.”
By I'll tell you a story
One of the most bright images in the gallery of Leskov’s “righteous people” became Lefty (“The Tale of the Tula Oblique Lefty and the Steel Flea”, 1881). Subsequently, critics noted here, on the one hand, the virtuosity of the embodiment of Leskov’s “tale”, game-filled words and original neologisms (often with a mocking, satirical overtone), on the other hand, a multi-layered narrative, the presence of two points of view: open (belonging to the simple-minded character) and hidden, the author’s, often the opposite. N. S. Leskov himself wrote about this “cunning” of his own style:
Several other people supported that in my stories it is really difficult to distinguish between good and evil, and that sometimes it’s even impossible to tell who is harming the cause and who is helping it. This was attributed to some innate cunning of my nature.
As biographer B. Ya. Bukhshtab noted, such “cunning” was manifested primarily in the description of the actions of Ataman Platov, from the hero’s point of view - almost heroic, but hiddenly ridiculed by the author. "Southpaw" was subjected to devastating criticism from both sides. Liberals and “leftists” accused Leskov of nationalism, while “rightists” considered the depiction of the life of the Russian people to be overly gloomy. N. S. Leskov replied that “to belittle the Russian people or to flatter them” was in no way his intention.
When published in Rus, as well as in separate publication The story was accompanied by a preface:
I cannot say where exactly the first breeding of the fable about the steel flea was born, that is, whether it started in Tula, Izhma or Sestroretsk, but, obviously, it came from one of these places. In any case, the tale of the steel flea is a specifically gunsmith legend, and it expresses the pride of Russian gunsmiths. It depicts the struggle of our masters with the English masters, from which ours emerged victorious and the English were completely shamed and humiliated. Here, some secret reason for military failures in Crimea is revealed. I wrote down this legend in Sestroretsk according to a local tale from an old gunsmith, a Tula native, who moved to the Sister River during the reign of Emperor Alexander the First.
Dictionary
« Lefty »
A ___________________
Agitation is a combination of nouns: agitation (excitement, excitement - from the French agitation) and expectation. Kunstkamera - a collection of rarities, a museum.
Abolon Polvedere - instead of: Apollo Belvedere (famous ancient statue, kept in Rome, in the Vatican).
Alexey Fedotov-Chekhovsky is a priest of the Taganrog Cathedral Church, to whom Alexander I confessed before his death.
“Ay lyuli - se tre zhuli.” - Cest très joli (French) - this is very cute.
B__________________ _ Busters - a combination of words: busts and chandeliers.
Canopy - instead of: canopy.
Storm meter is a combination of words: barometer and storm.
I would make him noble. - “Noble” - here it means: nobleman.
Recklessness is a combination of words: prejudice and recklessness.
Bobrinsky plant. - The refinery plant of Count A. A. Bobrinsky existed in the town of Smela, Kyiv province. from the 30s of the 19th century.
Bufta - instead of: bay.
IN___________________
In Candelabria... - obviously, instead of “in Calabria” (Calabria is a peninsula in Italy). Connected with the word: candelabra (candle stand).
Probability - instead of: variation (form of classical or character dance, built on jumping or finger movements, lasting one to two minutes).
Babylons - winding patterns, frills.
Look through the strongest microscope. - Tula craftsmen are still famous for the fineness of their work. Thus, the Soviet gunsmith M.I. Pochukaev “placed his signature on one stem of the ornament, only 0.1 mm wide; it is visible only with a strong magnifying glass."
G___________________
Hunchbacked - instead of: hunchbacked.
Grandevu - instead of: rendezvous (French rendez-vous - love date).
Count Kisselrode - Count Nesselrode Karl Vasilyevich (1780-1862), in 1822-1856 - Minister of Foreign Affairs.
D______
Twelve languages - twelve nations. This expression often referred to Napoleon's army.
Before Riga's Dynaminde... - Dunamünde, since 1893 Ust-Dvinsk, now Daugavgriva - a port at the mouth of the Western Dvina.
... “two ninety versts”... - that is, 180 versts. Kizlyarka is a low-quality grape vodka produced in the city of Kizlyar in the Caucasus.
Multiplication dolbit. - Dolbitsa - a combination of words: table and chisel.
Double - connecting words: double and sit down
Dance to dance. - Danser (French) - dance; here in the meaning of some dance form.
HER_________________ __ Erfix (French: air fixe - solid form) is a sobering agent added to water.
AND__________________
Zhukov tobacco. - In the 20-50s, pipe tobacco from the St. Petersburg factory of Vasily Zhukov was very popular.
Z___________________
Zusha is the river on which the city of Mtsensk stands; tributary of the Oka.
I/Y_________________
And god-making icons and grave-streaming heads and relics... - instead of: and miraculous icons, myrrh-streaming (supposedly exuding fragrant myrrh) heads and relics.
Empress Elisaveta Alekseevna (1779-1826) - wife of Alexander I.
TO
Ceramide - instead of: pyramid
“Stone-cut” - carved from stone.
Root tube - carved from the root of a tree.
Chicken with lynx... - instead of: chicken with rice Tugament - instead of: document.
Kazamat - casemate (solitary cell in a fortress).
Slander is a combination of words: feuilleton and slander.
M_________________
Melkoskop - a combination of words: microscope and finely Merbluzy - instead of: camel.
Manton is the same as manto.
Mortimer's gun. - G. W. Mortimer - English gunsmith late XVIII century.
Murin is a black man.
N_________________
Nymphosoria is a combination of the words: ciliates and nymph.
Waterproof cable - instead of: waterproof raincoat (a combination of the Russian word “waterproof” with the ending of the French adjective).
On Holy Athos... - Athos is a peninsula in Greece, on which there were many monasteries and hermitages, including Russian ones.
But he has some kind of boots on his hands. Exactly like a sapazhu monkey - a corduroy talma. - Boots - socks. Sapazhu is a genus of monkeys with short, thick fur. Talma is a long sleeveless cape. Plis is a cotton fabric similar to velvet.
On a cold paratha... - Paratha is probably instead of a front porch.
“Noshchiyu” - at night.
ABOUT___________________
Ozyamchik - azyam, long-brimmed peasant outerwear.
From Anichkin Bridge from nasty pharmacy... - that is, from the pharmacy opposite the Anichkov Bridge (at the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and the Fontanka embankment).
Obukhvinskaya hospital - instead of: Obukhvinskaya.
P___________________
At his rise... - that is, at the beginning of his reign.
He will sit under the present... - The present (gift) is here instead of: a tarpaulin.
Half-skipper - instead of: sub-skipper - assistant skipper.
Bet - instead of: bet.
Undermedic - medical assistant, paramedic.
Public - a combination of words: public and police.
Pubel - obviously, instead of: poodle.
The sweaty spiral has become... - “Spiral” here is like a noun from the verb “spiral” (sweaty spiral - air stale with sweat) Folding - a folding icon painted on two or three doors.
Pistola is a pistol.
WITH___________________
Bend - bend.
Sugar molvo. - In the 10-20s of the 19th century in St. Petersburg there was a sugar factory “of the commerce of the adviser and gentleman” Ya. N. Molvo.
Saint of Myra-Lycia... - Nicholas the “miracle worker” (IV century) was an archbishop in the city of Myra in the country of Lycia (in Asia Minor).
Whistling - a combination of words: messenger and whistle.
His beloved daughter Alexandra Nikolaevna... - Alexandra Nikolaevna (1825-1844) - youngest daughter Nicholas I.
Studing is a combination of words: pudding and jelly.
Symphon - instead of: siphon (a bottle with a tap for sparkling or mineral water).
With a boilie - with a fight, with beatings.
T___________________
Back then Sestroretsk was called Sesterbek. - In geographical books of the 18th and early 19th centuries, Sestroretsk, as well as the Sestra River on which it stands, are named: Sesterbek; Sisterbek, Sestrabek, Sisterbek.
Couch - instead of: couch.
Solid Earth Sea - instead of: Mediterranean.
F ___________________
Postilion - a horse coachman on the front horse when harnessed in a train.
H_________________
A clock with a chime. - Trepetir - a combination of words: repeater (a mechanism in a pocket watch that chimes time when a special spring is pressed) and tremble.
SCH__________________
Shchiglets - instead of: boots.
« I cannot say where exactly the first breeding of the fable about the steel flea was born, that is, whether it started in Tula, Izhma or Sestroretsk, but, obviously, it came from one of these places. In any case, the tale of the steel flea is a specifically gunsmith legend, and it expresses the pride of Russian gunsmiths. It depicts the struggle of our masters with the English masters, from which ours emerged victorious and the English were completely shamed and humiliated. Here, some secret reason for military failures in Crimea is revealed. I wrote down this legend in Sestroretsk according to a local tale from an old gunsmith, a Tula native, who moved to the Sister River during the reign of Emperor Alexander the First.” Leskov, Nikolai Semenovich
