(no subject)

[quem98.livejournal.com]

This is making me crazy.

For my thesis, I'm reading these 18th century Russian texts. In one of them, a general is explaining what he supposedly did to one of his captured enemies:

зацепив его за нос, драл ему по спину железными гребнями, и тою муку замучил досмерти.

It's a really happy passage.
So, they hooked him (strung him up by the nose) and beat him along the spine with metal [word I don't know], and he endured such torture until he died.

So I get that they tortured hime to death, but with what? Гребень as I understand it, means comb or gear... neither of which makes sense as a torture implement. So what would be a good translation of гребень in this case?

And one more question, while I'm at it.
This comes from a different document:
did I get the translation right?
Уфа уже взять и не с повинними ничего не учиненно, а противящаяся преданы смерти

"Ufa has been taken, and nothing was done with the faithful, but those who opposed us were condemned to death".

Comments

[gera.livejournal.com]

spine

Back

Гребень as I understand it, means comb or gear...

I think here it is more like a rake.

with the faithful

to the innocent
Other than that - ok.

[nemica.livejournal.com]

Гребень as a torture tool's something like raw of sharp hooks, I guess.

[oryx_and_crake]

could be a metal comb that first scratches the skin and then tears the flesh

2nd looks OK though I would say "were put to death".

[kalaus.livejournal.com]

I would say "were put to death".

Seconded. "Put to death" or simply "executed".

[oryx_and_crake]

P.S. драл is past from драть (not "to beat", but "to tear")

[brazzaville.livejournal.com]

Are you specialize in 18th-century russia?
I'm.
Could you tell me in what university you are? I'm thinking about getting PhD in USA.
Thank you.

[rem-lj.livejournal.com]

metal hooks, i think

>faithful

innocent, more correct

[quem98.livejournal.com]

I'm at Harvard in the Russian area Studies Program, and I'm writing my thesis on the Pugachev Revolt. Which is do sooner than I'd like *aggh*

My program is a Masters level program, but the History department here has some amazing Russian professors as does the Slavic Department.

All things related to Russian Studies are done through the Davis Center, which you can become affiliated with. Check out the website.

http://daviscenter.fas.harvard.edu/

[brazzaville.livejournal.com]

Thank you for information. I think about Stanford (prof Nancy Kollmann), univer. of Kansas (prof Eve Levin), Yale (prof Engelstein).
This summer I will defend my diploma (or a master's degree in Russian History).

My friend wrote the diploma about Pugachev ("Восприятие власти пугачевым и восставшими"), advisor - professor Kamensky (may be you read his books). I can send you his diploma, if you want.

And who is your advisor?

[brazzaville.livejournal.com]

And what you think, should I connect with professors about my interest in applying?
The educational consultant from the American Center in Moscow informed me that at first I should contact potential advisor and find out if the University is interested in my research and in working with me.
In harvard there are two professors for me - Elena Campbell, Edward L. Keenan (he is guru).

[quem98.livejournal.com]

It's already pretty late in the game, since I'm finishing it up already... (fine tuning tranlslations and such, but thanks)

Good luck defending your diploma!

[quem98.livejournal.com]

You should definitely connect with professors, because they are a lot friendlier and more open than you would think.

I took a course with Elena Cambell last year and it was a really interesting class... She's young and relatively new, so I don't know how much sway she has or if she works as an advisor, but she can definitely point you to the right people.

I don't really know Edward Keegan. I read a few of his articles for class... Drop an email to the both of them and see what they think.

My advisor is Terry Martin, who mostly does Soviet History, but he knows a lot about archival and primary research...

I hope that helps.

[brazzaville.livejournal.com]

Thank you!
I'll sent email to the both.

[nadyezhda.livejournal.com]

oooh, it's you again! How's the program coming? I'm finishing mine in three weeks... but no moving back to Boston for me...

(I'm the former Harvard employee)