GR translation: Maybe not now.
Mark Kohut
mark.kohut at gmail.com
Sun Dec 4 03:57:48 CST 2016
You never did.
--the Kenosha Kid
Lotsa richness of meaning to them though. I have always been taken with the
linguistic
fact that many of the most common words in any language, often the least
'obscure' and
most widely 'understood' have the longest varied nuanced definitions.
'Run' I've just been told about in English for example; the verb 'to be"
(probably in any language), for example.
The 'plain' words of Shakespeare's sonnets, compared to most of the plays
for example, resonate with interlocking human interpretation, often based
on perceived intonation and punctuation as well as definitions.
I know our translators and not only them on the plist could tell us more.
Settled judgments on many such meaningful uses; on my nowhere man opinions
on such as Wood, Sontag, Dickstein about
Pynchon, might not be so settled, but of course the ambiguity of possible
ironic comment is another unsettled open-ended richness.
Here's the word NOW, for example, and not even from the OED or Webster's
Third:
now
nou/
*adverb*
adverb: *now*
1. *1*.
at the present time or moment.
"where are you living now?"
synonyms: at the moment, at present, at the present (time/moment), at
this moment in time, currently
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+currently&forcedict=currently&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIHTAA>
, presently
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+presently&forcedict=presently&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIHjAA>
More
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+nowadays&forcedict=nowadays&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIIDAA>
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+today&forcedict=today&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIITAA>
- at the time directly following the present moment; immediately.
"if we leave now, we can be home by ten"
synonyms: at once, straightaway
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+straightaway&forcedict=straightaway&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIIzAA>,
right
away, right now, this minute, this instant, immediately
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+immediately&forcedict=immediately&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIJDAA>
, instantly
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+instantly&forcedict=instantly&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIJTAA>
, directly
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+directly&forcedict=directly&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIJjAA>,
without
further ado, promptly
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+promptly&forcedict=promptly&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIJzAA>,
without
delay, as soon as possible;More
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+pronto&forcedict=pronto&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIKTAA>
<https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&safe=active&biw=1324&bih=876&q=define+ASAP&forcedict=ASAP&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjavofmxtjQAhXH5iYKHaGjC7QQ_SoIKjAA>
- under the present circumstances; as a result of something that has
recently happened.
"it is now clear that we should not pursue this policy"
- on this further occasion, typically as the latest in a series of
annoying situations or events.
"what do you want now?"
- used to emphasize a particular length of time.
"they've been married four years now"
- (in a narrative or account of past events) at the time spoken of or
referred to.
"it had happened three times now"
2. *2*.
used, especially in conversation, to draw attention to a particular
statement or point in a narrative.
"now, my first impulse was to run away"
3. *3*.
used in or as a request, instruction, or question, typically to give a
slight emphasis to one's words.
"now, if you'll excuse me?"
- used when pausing or considering one's next words.
"let me see now; oh yes, I remember"
4. *4*.
used at the end of an ironic question echoing a previous statement.
"“Mom says for you to give me some of your stamps.” “Does she now?”"
*conjunction*
conjunction: *now*
1. *1*.
as a consequence of the fact.
"they spent a lot of time together *now that* he had retired"
*adjective*
informal
adjective: *now*
1. *1*.
fashionable; up to date.
"seventies disco dancing—very now"
Just yesterday, browsing, I saw a graphic novel with an oft-interpolated
block of text which said JAPAN NOW; I read the first paragraph of a Joy
Williams story which had something like this "James became spiritual; he
was very into the Now" which you can bet is the start of satire and perhaps
about a guy who can't live in the present, dunno, and then in
analyzing a To The Lighthouse passage that begins with the word 'Now'
one learns again of nested tenses in a great work of fiction.
On Sat, Dec 3, 2016 at 9:05 AM, David Morris <fqmorris at gmail.com> wrote:
> Jochen is on point. There is nothing obscure about these words in any
> language.
>
> David Morris
>
>
> On Saturday, December 3, 2016, Jochen Stremmel <jstremmel at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I don't think so, John. And I surely cannot imagine a language that has
>> no words for these simple concepts: maybe, not, now.
>>
>> 2016-12-03 11:13 GMT+01:00 John Bailey <sundayjb at gmail.com>:
>>
>>> 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
>>> -
>>> Pynchon-l / http://www.waste.org/mail/?listpynchon-l
>>>
>>
>>
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