GR translation: Maybe not now.

[John Bailey]

An experiment regarding translation vs interpretation: can anyone on
the list rephrase *in English* this simple three-word quote without
reusing any of its terms, and retain the same ambiguity, implications,
valencies?

On Sat, Dec 3, 2016 at 5:34 PM, Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com> wrote:
> That was what I was thinking the first time. Thanks for taking the
> time to clarify it for me, Mark.
>
> On Fri, Dec 2, 2016 at 7:11 AM, Mark Kohut <mark.kohut at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Let me lead by saying I second Protomen's straightforward reading as I
>> reflect.
>>
>> But, in the spirit of Mike asking for readings, 'interpretations' of what is
>> in English, as remarked,
>> perhaps open-endedly ambiguous, I will add one way I have read this over the
>> years.
>>
>> Because of the line that follows, the same paragraph, not what could easily
>> have been a different paragraph
>> since one "rule" of writing is that words spoken 'should' have their own
>> paragraph to show that the thought
>> they express ends, I have often read "Maybe not now" as spoken very
>> tight-lippedly..."stares him hard as fists"
>> ..controlled anger as in middle class life one person will 'hiss' to
>> another, "Not now", meaning we won't talk about that NOW, in this situation.
>>
>> Controlled anger that 'says', "you bring that up so innocently? With that
>> (stupid) 'Really?' and stupid remark since
>> you should KNOW now"....
>>
>> On Fri, Dec 2, 2016 at 2:42 AM, Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks. That's what I meant the second time.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Dec 2, 2016 at 2:19 AM, Protomen <protomen at protonmail.com> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > I'd assume the more straightforward:
>>> > "(the fact that Pavel swore off that) maybe doesn't apply, in the
>>> > current
>>> > situation"
>>> > with the "maybe" a euphemism, hence Enzian feeling out of touch.
>>> >
>>> > -------- Original Message --------
>>> > Subject: GR translation: Maybe not now.
>>> > Local Time: 1 décembre 2016 6:59 PM
>>> > UTC Time: 1 décembre 2016 17:59
>>> > From: gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com
>>> > To: Pynchon Mailing List <pynchon-l at waste.org>
>>> >
>>> > V519.9-18, P528.2-11 Pavel and Maria meant to have the child. Then
>>> > Josef Ombindi and his people started their visiting. They have learned
>>> > their vulturehood from the Christian missionaries. They keep lists of
>>> > all the women of childbearing age. Any pregnancy is an invitation to
>>> > hover, to tune in, to swoop. They will use threats, casuistry,
>>> > physical seduction—there’s an arsenal of techniques. Washing-blue is
>>> > the abortifacient of choice.
>>> > “The refinery,” suggests Andreas Orukambe.
>>> > “Really? I thought he’d sworn off that.”
>>> > “Maybe not now.” The girl’s brother stares him hard as fists.
>>> > Enzian, old bastard, you really are out of touch . . . .
>>> >
>>> > What does Christian mean by “Maybe not now” here? Is he asking Enzian
>>> > to drop the subject?
>>> > -
>>> > Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?list=pynchon-l
>>> >
>>> >
>>> -
>>> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?listpynchon-l
>>
>>
> -
> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?listpynchon-l
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