(no subject)

[xswt-cherryx.livejournal.com]

I dont know what to call something in russian. It's a little figurine, like a little statue. Well, actually it's a wood carving of a native totem poll, and I am presenting it to my class tomorrow... I just dont know what to call it... статуя?

Comments

[oryx_and_crake]

статуэтка or just фигурка

[khathi.livejournal.com]

If we're talking totem poles here, then it's better say "идол" or just "тотемный столб", IMNSHO.

[oryx_and_crake]

Absolutely not. Идол or кумир is the real thing, not the figurine representing it. I don't think xswt_cherryx is going to pray to it or anoint it with bear fat etc. to propitiate it.

[khathi.livejournal.com]

Right.

[khathi.livejournal.com]

If it's a natives' totem, then there are specific words for this in Russian -- "идол" or "кумир". Latter is generally archaic (in this use), but former is still used in its original meaning.

[xswt-cherryx.livejournal.com]

so the plural would be 'идолы'.
example Мой дядя делает эти идолы.

okay and then an unrelated qustion... If i were to continue the example above
Мой дядя делает эти идолы. Он тоже делает маски.
is тоже alright? or would it be также?

[oryx_and_crake]

идол is an object of worship. I don't think people actually worship your uncle's products. What your uncle makes is статуэтки, фигурки, сувениры.

As to the second question, тоже does not work here. Use также, or, better still, say: Еще он делает маски.

[khathi.livejournal.com]

Well, if it's not the real things but only representations, then it is really better to say "фигурки идолов", not "идолы". "Маски" is okay, but I think it's better to say "ещё" instead of "тоже".

[towarysc.livejournal.com]

As for me, I would say "этих идолов", but I don't know how's right..
In ancient times, totems used to be animated, so that's why I think this grammatical form _might_ remain; as for me, I won't have the heart to say "делать эти идолы".

Он также делает маски; if you said "тоже", this "also" would concern to "oн", like "мой отец делает маски, и мой дядя тоже" (делает их).