(no subject)

[soidisantfille.livejournal.com]

How does "постольку, поскольку" translate? I know that they both mean insomuch as or in so far as, but why would they be put together in a sentence like that?

Thanks.

Comments

[ex-fractaliz864.livejournal.com]

"постольку, поскольку" = "to some degree", "up to a point", "only so far"

[soidisantfille.livejournal.com]

That was a silly typo. Fixed. :)

Thanks. That makes sense.

[madrumos.livejournal.com]

I disagree with _mohel_'s definition. I think it's just like you said: 'inasmuch as' or 'to the extent, that'. This way it fits into the middle of sentence, between two clauses. As far as why it has the two parts, this is just like other elements of Russian, where there's some form of то that bridges with a corresponding form of что in the next clause.
Ex:

Я верю ему постольку, поскольку можно верить такому человеку.

Okay, that was a bad example, but my brain's too fried to think of something better.

[cema.livejournal.com]

Inasmuch as.

[dphq.livejournal.com]

постольку cj. insomuch as, inasmuch as, in so far as, to the extent that, so far forth

поскольку cj. 1) ( так как) inasmuch as, as, since, as long as; 2) {насколько} as far as, so far as, to the extent that

поскольку 1) so far as 2) since 3) whereas 4) as far as 5) as long a

[crimson07.livejournal.com]

Actually, you both are right. The meaning depends on the situation.