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Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations Larry Send a noteboard - 28/11/2010 11:55:16 PM
In Polish the book it titled "Czas pogardy". 'Czas' means 'time' and 'pogarda' means 'contempt/disdain'. It is reference to how the WWII time is often described in Poland as 'time of contempt' for human life and other human beings.

Hatred is a little too strong. Hate is a strong feeling. 'Hot' emotion. Contempt is 'cold' and indifferent.

Contempt means (from dictionary.com)
the feeling with which a person regards anything considered mean, vile, or worthless;
This is precisely the meaning of 'pogarda'. Especially in this context of war that destroys lives and nations.

Also contempt is better then disdain because (also from dictionary.com):
contempt is disapproval tinged with disgust: to feel contempt for a weakling .
disdain is a feeling that a person or thing is beneath one's dignity and unworthy of one's notice, respect, or concern: a disdain for crooked dealing

Pogarda evokes feeling like you're not even worth enough to be hated. You just deserve to be destroyed because you are disgusting and don't deserve to live.

I would translate 'hatred' to Polish as 'nienawi??' (too stong) and 'disdain' as 'lekcewa?enie' (too weak). 'Contempt' as equivalent of 'pogarda' is just right :)


While I do agree that "hatred" is perhaps a bit strong (see my comments from earlier today), "contempt" has lost much of its former "punch," becoming associated more with a feeling rather than the actions that might be derived from it. "Despite/spite" sounds closer to "pogarda" than mere "contempt" to me, since those related words carry more of the sense of a desire for annihilation.

Of course, in Spanish, "odio" carries the sense of odiousness, which also fits with what happens in that scene I quoted yesterday :P
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie

Je suis méchant.
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Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio Larry - 27/11/2010 03:24:22 AM 1599 Views
Bizarre that you would go to a Spanish translation (A translation note) Tom - 27/11/2010 04:05:28 PM 988 Views
Not really, when that's the only complete translation available in a language I read Larry - 27/11/2010 06:54:18 PM 1035 Views
It's an interesting discussion about that title... "disdain" is indeed somewhat weak. Legolas - 27/11/2010 06:35:14 PM 1054 Views
When I have time later tonight, I'll translate the relevant passage near the end of the book Larry - 27/11/2010 06:57:23 PM 1057 Views
Re: Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio wahooka - 27/11/2010 09:37:07 PM 1123 Views
The main reason why I lean toward "hatred" is later on Larry - 27/11/2010 09:43:43 PM 1089 Views
Yeah, there may be a slight difference between Czech and English meaning of the word wahooka - 28/11/2010 10:49:23 AM 1048 Views
Makes sense to me Larry - 28/11/2010 07:13:08 PM 1131 Views
Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post Larry - 28/11/2010 02:35:38 AM 1071 Views
Hm. I'd actually say it makes me more inclined to think "contempt" is right after all. Legolas - 28/11/2010 10:50:09 AM 1149 Views
I didn't quote what happened immediately afterward, as that is a major spoiler Larry - 28/11/2010 07:16:39 PM 1023 Views
Fair points. *NM* Legolas - 29/11/2010 12:26:28 AM 521 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post wahooka - 28/11/2010 11:03:18 AM 1054 Views
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post Ellestra - 29/11/2010 01:12:58 AM 899 Views
Larry - 29/11/2010 04:53:12 AM 1037 Views
I find it funny that all the discussion in the thread is about the best translation of the title. Stephen - 28/11/2010 10:17:44 PM 975 Views
Actually, it also plays a key role in the action of this book Larry - 29/11/2010 12:47:19 AM 1146 Views
Oh, I'm just surprised one word can be that important Stephen - 29/11/2010 01:03:48 PM 924 Views
Time of Contempt is closest to original meaning Ellestra - 28/11/2010 11:42:56 PM 1147 Views
Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations Larry - 28/11/2010 11:55:16 PM 1098 Views
Re: Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations Ellestra - 29/11/2010 12:47:12 AM 1113 Views
True, to a large extent at least Larry - 29/11/2010 04:57:00 AM 1387 Views
You made me want to go and reread this again Ellestra - 29/11/2010 12:07:46 AM 1104 Views
I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Larry - 29/11/2010 12:32:23 AM 1181 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Ellestra - 29/11/2010 01:05:30 AM 1104 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Larry - 29/11/2010 05:02:48 AM 1111 Views
Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow Ellestra - 29/11/2010 04:39:02 PM 1138 Views
Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us Larry - 29/11/2010 11:37:22 PM 1152 Views
Re: Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us Ellestra - 30/11/2010 02:27:03 AM 1117 Views
I refuse to give the Germans credit when it comes to language and grammar issues! Larry - 30/11/2010 03:04:30 AM 1302 Views
I don't see why; except maybe page long nouns Ellestra - 30/11/2010 04:22:37 PM 1335 Views
I dunno, some people dig saying "Machtübernahme" and "Größerdeutschland" Larry - 30/11/2010 05:53:43 PM 1153 Views
Hey those are short Ellestra - 01/12/2010 03:44:42 AM 1241 Views
I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English dacole - 30/11/2010 04:50:56 AM 1107 Views
Re: I REALLY can't wait for this to come out in English Ellestra - 30/11/2010 03:45:33 PM 1109 Views
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