Translating Finite Verb Forms (Tense and Aspect Forms)
Plan: 1. Translating tense and aspect forms 2.1 Simple Tenses 2.2 Continuous Tenses 2.3 Perfect Tenses 2.4 Perfect ContinuousTenses 2.5 Main traps.
2.1 Simple Tenses
a) regular, permanent actions=Russian imperfective aspect
Water boils at 100º Centigrade.
b) action as a single fact=Russian perfective form
When I heard the news, I walked faster and faster.
Single action can be expressed by:
A verb-noun predicate
She gave a cry.
-A phrasal verb
She cried something out.
Parallel (homogeneous) predicates
He cried something unintelligible and rushed past.
2.2 Continuous Tenses
temporary continuous action = Russian imperfective form
He first became interested in drama when he was working abroad.
Permanent actions expressed in emotional speech=Russian imperfective form
You are always coming late!
Future action (esp. a “matter-of-fact” future) = Russian perfective form
Spring is coming! Birds will be flying soon.
2.3 Perfect Forms
completed action = Russian perfective verbs
I haven’t finished yet.
By the time we got there the rain had stopped.
b) Multiple action that took place in the past and can happen in the future = Russian imperfective form
I’ve met Ann’s husband.
I have eaten at that restaurant many times.
Use the technique of compensation and extension!
Russian literature has possessed the feeling of the sole. – Русская литература всегда характеризовалась чувством одиночества.
2.4 Perfect Continuous Tenses action begun before another action and continued into it = Russian imperfective forms He has been studying Japanese for three years.
2.5 Main traps
Tense asymmetry
Russian future = English present in adverbial clauses
Если он придет, я дам вам знать. – If he comes, I’ll let you know.
b) English present for the near future = in Russian the present alternates with the future
We are going downtown in some minutes. – Мы пойдем/идем в город через несколько минут.
с) English Present Perf/ PPC = Russian past tense
Who has eaten my soup? – Кто съел мой суп?
2) Connotation!
In emotional speech The English Cont. and Simple tenses seem to exchange their aspect characteristics: Cont = exaggerated permanent action
She is always complaining! – Вечно она жалуется!
Simple = action taking place at the moment of speech with emphasis on the circumstances
Why don’t you write? - Ну, почему ты не пишешь?
Way out – LEXICAL COMPENSATION
3) Sequence of Tenses
When translating from Russian into English don’t do it “tense-for-tense”!!!
Mind the SEQUENSE OF TENSES
I knew he was in the village. – Я знал, что он в деревне. (not он был в деревне)
Я знал, что он был в деревне. – I knew he had been in the village.
Practice
A. 1) Who has been eating my soup?
2) I have lived here for two years.
3) He had been a captain.
4) The train arrives in 5 minutes.
5) I sobbed a little still, but that was because I had been crying , not because I was crying then.
B. 1) «Почему ты не знаешь правила?» – «Я учил.» - «Учил, да не выучил.»
2) Он постоянно одалживает деньги!
3) Он сказал, что скоро начнет изучать французский язык.
