Structural-connotative classification

Structural-connotative classification focuses upon the connotative meanings of some nationally specific grammatical forms – i.e. secondary, additional information acquired by grammatical forms in a certain context.

Like any other SNN structural-connotative realia are connected with the social and cultural habits of the language speakers, create the national colouring of the utterance or text. These forms typically possess a huge literary-aesthetic expressiveness and emotional charge which is necessary to preserve in translation.

Among the most typical Ukrainian SNN of that type that have no analogy in English one can mention the following:

1. the vocative case of nouns. It has a double meaning:

• identifies the addressee;

• has the connotation of intimacy, trust, frankness, expressiveness

E.g.: Мамо, матінко моя, де ви?… Де ви, голубко, матінко моя сива? (Довженко)

It’s next to impossible to convey the emotional connotation of the Ukrainian forms of address in English. In the majority of cases this second emotive meaning is hopelessly lost (e.g.1) or greatly weakened (e.g.2):

E.g.1: “Ні, синку мій, прийшов такий час, що й панам ніколи” (Чендей І.)

No, son, the time has come when the Masters have no more time.

E.g.2: Де ж це було, голубоньки,

Where did that happen, my dears?

2. The forms of respective plural of verbs and pronouns. (форми пошанної множини дієслів та займенників). They have an additional meaning of distancing and respect to older people and parents typical of the Ukrainian mentality and way of life.

This SNN is a real stumbling block for a translator and can not be made up for by any grammatical English form. That form is typically lost in translation with all its connotations.

E.g.: Батько сердиті-сердиті… стоять, часник чистять (А.Тесленко)

Father was on his feet… peeling garlic and looking pretty angry.

???? The following example creates an impression of a translator’s careless attitude to the translation and the text.

E.g.: Гляди ж, не забувай мого дідуся… Перекажи, хай вони не журяться (“Дорогою ціною” М.Коцюбинський)

Ostap asks Solomia: “Take care of my grandfather… Tell them not to worry” (translated by Л.Прокоп і Сологубенко)

3. Proper female names ending in –иха, formed from the name, surname or a nickname of the husband: Левчиха, Лимериха, Стояниха.

The only way out is the usage of the contextual compensation with the help of transcription and explication:

E.g.: Він глянув на Ковалиху.(С.) Журахович

He looked at Kovalykha – Koval’s wife.(с.Сингаївський)

4. Diminutive and augmentative usages. – compensation technique description

E.g.1: Потім будуть озерця й озерчата, порослі лепехою (Григор Тютюнник)

Then there will be little lakes and ponds overgrown with sweet flag

(translated by А.Біленко)

E.g.2: …пригорнула Олеся синятко до серця (Марко Вовчок)

Folding her infant to her breast;

Olesya nestled the infant against her bosom (M. Skrypnyk) – the connotation of tenderness, gentleness.