Question about translation

[nick-spender.livejournal.com]

Hope you can help me. There is a place, named "Центральный парк культуры и отдыха" in Saint-Petersburg. I wanna translate it to english, but not sure, which word is best for "отдых". I think, "Rest" is not actually the one, which is good here.

Comments

[sinee-solnce.livejournal.com]

leisure is ok, i think

[http://users.livejournal.com/_dengerous_/]

Are there any side-shows there? I really doubt. Thus "amusement" doesn't match well. Or at least "rest" is better.

I can propose "Park of culture & leisure" as an option.

[wolk-off.livejournal.com]

I'd go with "recreation."

?

[m-entropy.livejournal.com]

отдых - recreation

Central Park for Education and Recreation

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

The отдых, i.e. recreation part seems straightforward to me. My question is how do you intend to translate "культур"? "Culture" seems a little unclear, I think. "Education" could be a possibility, as Soviet era parks of this kind were also meant to provide an "educational experience" (through exposure to art, for example). But have never heard of a "Central Park of Education and Recreation", so I'm not too sure about that version.

"Multitran" gives us "recreation and entertainment park". But I think it does injustice to the "educational intent" of such parks to reduce “культур“ to "entertainment". On the other hand, nowadays, we have "infotainment" and "edutainment", so I guess one could go with either "Education" or "Entertainment", as some seem to believe there's no real difference between the two, anyway.

Still, the problem with "Entertainment" or "Leisure" is that they are basically synonyms of "Recreation". In contrast, "культуры и отдыха" are not synonyms. So, if you go with "Entertainment" or "Leisure" along with "Recreation" you may distort the meaning of the term "культуры и отдыха" beyond recognition.

I seem to recall that "Education Centers" are in some cases also places of "Recreation". (As in "Education and Recreation Center") So, at the end of the day, I'd go with "Central Park for Education and Recreation".

Re: Central Park for Education and Recreation

[nick-spender.livejournal.com]

Hmm, realy interesting. Now, how I see "культура". Education - обучение, don't work here, I think, because there no educational part there. I mean the culture thing here is some open stages (that don't work ourdays), some soviet statues (wich a destroyed ourdays=( ) and one Elagin palace, which work like a musem. So, I think Культура here means Культурный отдых, культурное времяпрепровождение.
Центральный парк культурного отдыха и просто отдыха=) So, I think, "Culture" will work there.

Re: Central Park for Education and Recreation

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

I see your point. And it seems "culture" is de facto what is preferred.

On a separate point of principle, I would not see "education" as only "обучение" without "культура". In the broader meaning, culture is an aspect of education, at least in English. In other words, culture is part of education.

Based on your reference to the museum, it seems that the original intent of the park was, in part, "educational".

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

But like someone said, it may just be a regular old "amusement park" , provided it is outfitted with the requisite attractions. So, I'd make sure there wasn't a ferris wheel, roller coaster or house of horrors in there before going with "Education". On the other hand, if it is regularly the site of outdoor art exhibitions, then "Education" is likely to be close enough.

Central Park of Culture and Rest

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, there are already lots of examples of "Municipal/Central Parks of Culture and Rest" that evidently enjoy the status of de facto official translations or simply prevailing usage.

Thus, it could be expedient to just go with what has already become the established norm (even if it is something of a mistranslation):

http://www.google.ru/search?hl=ru&q=%22Park+of+Culture+and+Rest%22&btnG=%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B8%D1%81%D0%BA+%D0%B2+Google&lr=

[racoon-ru.livejournal.com]

Kirov Central Culture and Leisure Park
(http://www.saint-petersburg.com/parks/)

Kirov Central Culture and Leisure Park

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

I guess that settles it.

Central park of culture and rest

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

Ooops. It seems there is no unanimity regarding a single translation. Here's another version:

http://petersburgcity.com/family/attractions/rest/

Re: Central park of culture and rest

[nick-spender.livejournal.com]

Хмм.. Не знаешь кому верить..

Re: Central park of culture and rest

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

First, I guess, it's best to go with the "official" translation provided by the city. If there is no such "official" translation, then just go with what is de facto the established norm.

If you're really adventurous, then go with your own translation. But that will most likely get shot down, due to lack of precedent.

[vargtimmen.livejournal.com]

Recreation has kind of a rest and relaxation type vibe too.

[nick-spender.livejournal.com]

Thanks everybody!
"Central Culture and Leisure Park" - that, I think, will work well.

Central Park of Culture and Rest

[freiburg234.livejournal.com]

"PetersburgCITY.com is St. Petersburg’s official English-language portal, offering a wide variety of information about the city and its life, the events happening in it, on various goods and services available here. The portal provides informational support to foreign citizens wishing to visit our city, as well as those who are already here."

The "official site" has it as "Central Park of Culture and Rest".