Every culture has sayings that reflect people's life experiences and observations of the world around them. One of these is the Russian expression “Les rubyat – schipky flyyat”. It has a deep philosophical meaning: for any actions you inevitably have to pay. Today WomanEL talks about the art of translation, which will help convey the wealth of meanings in the Ukrainian language and leave the phrase recognizable.
ContentLiteral translationEquivalent Ukrainian phraseologismsCultural adaptationWhat is important in translation?
Literal translation
The easiest option would be to translate the expression without changes: “They cut down the forest – the chips fly.” This allows you to preserve the metaphor, but it may sound too literal. For greater effect, it is important to adapt the phrase, taking into account Ukrainian linguistic traditions.
The art of translation: how to find the perfect Ukrainian equivalent of the Russian saying “The forest is cut down – the chips fly.” Source: freepik.com
Equivalent Ukrainian phraseologisms
In the Ukrainian language There are expressions that, although they do not repeat the Russian original verbatim, convey a similar thought:
- “There is no smoke without fire” – this saying emphasizes that any action has its consequences. It is suitable if you need to explain that negative effects often accompany major changes.
- “Where there is chopping, there are chips flying” – this variation takes into account the Ukrainian manner of speech, where generalizations are more often used. It sounds more natural and corresponds to the traditions of the Ukrainian language, emphasizing cause-and-effect relationships.
Cultural adaptation
The Ukrainian language is rich in metaphors, so instead of a direct translation, you can find an equivalent that more closely conveys the spirit of the saying:
- “Where the axe is sharpened, the chips fly” – this option is closer to the Ukrainian style of expression.
- “When the harvest comes, the chaff flies” – an apt option, close in meaning, which directly associated with labor and side effects.
- “Where the forest is cut down, the branches crack” – this option is as close as possible to the original, but sounds more natural for the Ukrainian language. It preserves the essence of the saying – action always has side effects.
What is important in translation?
When choosing a way to convey this expression, you should focus on the context. For literary texts or informal conversations, figurative, metaphorical options are better suited. If the text has an official or journalistic style, it is better to resort to more generalized expressions.
The main thing is that the adaptation sounds natural and corresponds to the Ukrainian cultural tradition, while preserving the depth of the original meaning. This approach allows you not only to translate words, but also to rethink and enrich our language.
Also learn how to adapt the Russian saying “One head is good, but two are better” into Ukrainian.
