Question

[wolfie-18.livejournal.com]

Is there a Russian equivalent to the phrase "to speak beyond the grave?"

Also, if one were speaking about Japan, and how the West opened it up, how does one say открыть Японию without making it sound that they discovered Japan as opposed to opening it up?

Comments

[gera.livejournal.com]

Is there a Russian equivalent to the phrase "to speak beyond the grave?"

"Говорить с того света"
Not as elegant, but fits the purpose.

if one were speaking about Japan, and how the West opened it up

opened it up ~ способствовал открытости,
something like that.
The noun открытость has the required meaning. The verb открыть doesn't work here.

[oryx_and_crake]

I don't think that способствовал открытости is a good fit. It gives the idea that the process was performed by Japan, and the West just "assisted". However, "the West opened up Japan" means that the West played an active role, and Japan a completely passive one.

[agneliz.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's better to say "Запад положил конец изоляции Японии".

[oryx_and_crake]

I like that version.

[gera.livejournal.com]

Agree, but it's hard to find a better verb that sounds good with открытость.