Cursing in Russian translation difficulties

I was just browsing the web, trying to find out how to translate a sentence to Russian for the purpose of a short story I'm writing and I stumbled upon your blog and wondered if you would help me. (...) The sentence in English is, pardon the rude word: "Fucking corpse stealer".

Google Translate came up with this (I need a phonetic spelling since the story won't use Russian alphabet) : "Trahat' mertvyh vor." How accurate is that?

The context is that the speaker is supposed to be insulting another character, who happens to be stealing dead bodies.

Best wishes Paul B.

It is a tricky question ))) as cursing (Mat in Russian) is apparently the strongest form of obscene profanity used in Russian and other Slavic language communities...and I try not to use this Russian language on my site as there are a lot of subtlety in the context of cursing in Russian.

However I will help you in this one )))


If I understood correctly it is an insult...so if it is not an act and just addressed to a men and has to be very offensive it must be strong..... something like :

"Ebanyi voryuga trupov"


P.S. Never say anything like this in the face of Russian man....you risk to get immediate feedback

Russian farmers during winter...what did they do?

I am doing some research into farming in Russia around 1914-1917 (focusing on pre-Revolution era) and I am really struggling to find out what farmers would do during the winter months, specifically in areas which receive a lot of snow?

I guess farming the land wasn't possible, but I can't find any information on what they would have been doing during winter. I understand that some workers would travel around for work, but I'm interested in those who would have owned their own farms and stayed there all year (kulaks I think?).

Asked by Abby

ETYMOLOGY

First of all I need to explain the Russian term "KULAK". (Kulak - eng. FIST)

This word (which has very negative meaning in Russian) describes the richest farmers (of the beginning of the XX century), who outsourced labor for heavy works and who were lenders of money and material to less fortunate neighbors.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

Climate dictated habits & traditions of all nations. If Russian were engaged only in tilling the soil or wheat processing, the people would disappear either from cold or famine. That is why the unique nature of Russian plan required plowmen to adapt two types of the economy - the summer one and the winter one.

SUMMER vs. WINTER

The objective of summer economy was to support the family with «agricultural activity».
The objective of the winter one - was to get the income « from the crafts/business activity ». If the frost took care of the land in the winter the Russian farmer had nothing there. He had to be involved in some kind of business.

In fact, the budget of Russian peasants consisted of only 50-75% of their agricultural work. The other 25-50 % of the income came from "trade or business".

BUSINESS
Majority of men went to towns with own horse to become temporary cabs.

However many young families couldn't permit themselves to own a horse as it was very expensive to own an animal in the winter.

Others went to towns with the other men of their village to be hired for temporary works (carpenters, blacksmiths, etc). They tried to stay close together and formed ARTELs (or cooperatives).

That is why there were very few healthy young men left in the villages during the winter, if not to say NONE

MEANWHILE IN THE VILLAGE........

The majority of families consisted of women and older members of the family with children.

P.S. So I am afraid Abby, I won't be able to bring any news to your research. HELAS ! ....no new info here

Herbarium - Russian tradition?

I was told that it's a Russian tradition to keep a flower in your book, just to have it with you. What is that called in English and Russian?
Asked by Stanley

Well, for the first time I have to admit that this statement is wrong. Tradition is not Russian, but European.

Keeping dried flowers in the books is called Herbarium (Latin herbárium, from herba - "grass") - a collection of dried plants kept according to certain rules. Typically, the plants for herbarium after drying are put on sheets of paper.

The first herbarium appeared in Italy in the XVI century. Their invention is related to the invention of paper is attributed to the doctor and botanist Luca Ghini, founder of Pisa Botanic Garden. Herbarium of the Ghini has been destroyed later, but the collection of his close friends is still kept in museum.

FROM THE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

In the elementary school, we collected leaves, ironed them to make them dry and pasted into an album signing the name of the tree.This ritual is known to all people who went to the schools in ex-USSR. After the first year experience collecting just leaves, next season we would have dug the plant by the roots, dried, pasted on sheets of cardboard and then added a list of type description...and couple months later this whole album would finish in the garbage )))))))

LOVE

I don't know who told you that it's a Russian tradition. But most probably it was a girl.)))))))) Well, she probably was also very romantic, wasn't she? )))))))))))

I have to say that keeping a flower (especially which was given to you by a person you've loved) in the book is so old-fashioned. Russian famous poet of XIX century Mr.Alexander Pushkin has devoted several poems to this tradition.

Classics.....and out of fashion!

We all know that teenage loves rarely last and make fun of Pushkin love poems. ..........But frankly wouldn't you feel a little pinch in the heart if opening the book you find a dry flower - witness of a forbidden kiss, for example?? ))))))))

Russian hackers

Why do so many Russian's seem to be hackers? Or are really good at computers?
Asked by KaiWen, China

Naturally , I am against generalization...It will be a way too ambitious to claim that a lot of Russians are hackers.

But I understand your question and must say that recent events did create a certain image of advanced computer users coming from the territory of Russian Federation. Many of them caused a lot of sleepless nights to the IT security departments of various Western corporations.

TERMS DEFINITION BY WESTERN HACKER: RICHARD STALLMAN

"Around 1980, when the news media noticed hackers, they determined real hacking as: the security breaking which some hackers occasionally did. They ignored all the rest of hacking, and used the term "breaking security", no more no less. Since that the media have spread that definition, disregarding our attempts to correct them. As a result, most people have a false idea of what we hackers actually do and what we think.

You can help correct the misunderstanding simply by making a distinction between security breaking and hacking—by using the term "cracking" instead of security breaking. The people who do it are "crackers". Some of them may also be hackers, just as some of them may be chess players or golfers; most of them are not...."

Lets see who is TOVARISCH hacker? ))))))
EARNING REPUTATION

It is almost impossible to say when it all started, but one of Russian IT forum gave a colorful description of a reason why Russians computer specialists often associated with trouble among the other members of Internet community.

"Soon after the shoot of USSR those who got a foreign software, had neither documentation nor any technical support to count on. So that was the moment when Russian system administrators were forced to find their way around, more precisely to write own patches there where in general it was almost impossible.

Therefore, at the beginning of 90th many Western companies loved to hire Russians /or Soviet computer specialists - as where the Western colleagues would have spent hours on the phone with IT support, Russians would spit and write his own patch.
Many of such cases, by the way, then became a standard de facto. "

RECENT
Russian hackers deserved a special attention of US security services when in 2009 the US Government reported a series of hacking attacks (remember Citi group case), as well as the theft of more than $9 million from systems belonging to the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The threats forced US President Barack Obama to announce that defense against Internet attacks became a ''national security priority''.

As Fox news reported at the time, that the main sources of danger were "Identity theft, social networking, and modifying commercial software" However, according to Amit Yoran, a former cybersecurity chief at the Department of Homeland Security, "the combining all 3 methods raised the attack method to a new level, which have never been seen before"

Fair enough BBC quoted the vision of the problem by famous creator of computer anti- virus program Mr.Kaspersky "Russian attacks look more professional. The malware and design are more complicated and more technical. I think it's thanks to Russia's technical education. Its graduates are probably the best."

EDUCATION TO BLAME
Well, known fact that any IT specialist will be on the job market the most demanded graduate....so no wonder that those who get IT diplomas are the first ones to get a well paid job offer. So 90 % of graduates do end up in the business. Of which kind... to be confirmed ))))
Still there is no reason to be paranoiac and it will be incorrect to say that Russian hackers are prepared by Russian colleges. (In fact, Russian colleges have been highly criticized recently for not preparing well qualified modern IT personnel ))))


Recent studies show that the job difficulty of new IT colleges graduates is not really compensated by the proposed official salary.
Those who speak English and able to work with English language technical documentation in average earn per month in Moscow up to RUB 50 000 ($1 680), in Saint Petersburg RUB 40 000 ($1 345) , in Novosibirsk up to RUB 30 000 ($1000)

But if you take into consideration that the IT engineering is mainly a man's world (92%), please also consider that 78% are under 30 years old. Still only 49% of IT have graduated with such diploma.

And here comes the most interesting part...........according to the polls of independent experts 33% of IT specialists learn from books when they want to upgrade their level of knowledge. Other 20% of Russian IT specialists just count on their own capacity to learn from own experience and mistakes.
(Of cause it will be immoral to prize the people who break into somebody's personal security but who in the modern world will object that Necessity is the mother of Invention. Besides, would that be only Russian hackers who want to get a big check at the end of the month.))))

Russian war allies: General Winter & General Hunger

I read a Russian story once that was used as a metaphor concerning Russian history. The war with France, to be exact.
The story spoke of General Hunger and General Winter, who met and spoke, and realized that although both had great power and control over the people of the land, neither could survive or have any effect without the other. I was wondering if you knew of this story? If you can, could you please tell me the name of it and the meaning of the story?

Asked by

Darryl Tonks, UK

Dear Darrel, I don't know the story you are talking about as there are several ones. Frankly, I am not sure they are Russian invention. These metaphoric heroes are often mentioned when one is talking about the war on Russian territory. However, even though they seem to be pure epic invention there had some historical base.

HISTORY

The victory in the Patriotic War of 1812 (Invasion of Napoleon's army in Russia) became the subject of many Russian poems, opera's and novels created in XIX century (remember War & Peace of Mr. Tolstoy for example))))

Indeed Russians were proud of their victory over Napoleon's army but it was Denis Davydov (the hero of this war) who for the first time claimed that this victory was much helped by The General Moroz (the General Winter) . Some modern historians object the cold weather axiom of 1812, but this myth was so attractive…


But historians have no live evidence when the supporters of the Russian winter horror story have a plenty of it.
Taking over burned to ashes Moscow in September Napoleon Army has faced sabotage of few local people who has not fled Russian capital. Army catering & logistics soon began having food delivery problems as many peasants converted into partisans and fled their villages together with the domestic animals.

Those regimens who were in French Army avant-guard often burned down unruly villages on its way, thus leaving the rest of the Army without provisions. The situation has worsened as the winter approached.

BAD STRATEGY LOSSES

Soon as is mentioned in military studies, the main body of Napoleon's Grande Armée, initially at least 378,000 strong, "diminished by half during the first eight weeks of his invasion, before the major battle of the campaign. This decrease was partly due to garrisoning supply centers, but disease, desertions, and casualties sustained in various minor actions caused thousands of losses.

It was a humiliation for French Grande Armee to admit that their strategy was not adopted to Russia. Distance, people, traditions were all against them.
The sequels were Napoleon's uncontested and self-defeating occupation of Moscow and his humiliating retreat, which began on 19 October, before the first severe frosts later that month and the first snow on 5 November 1812"

“Almost entire cavalry marches on foot, less than 1/5 of the initial regiment and 100 of horses”, wrote unknown ex-Russian front French soldier in his memories.“Frenchmen perished more from hunger than exhaustion, disorder, robberies and loss of any discipline ”, testifies General Kreyts.

Hunger suddenly became catastrophic. Soon even horse meat was a luxury. This horrible period was described in the memories of Russian General Kreyts who in Moscow suburbs, marching with his regiment, reported hearing weird noises in the forest. After exploring the forest, his people saw French soldiers cutting & eating human meat.

Commander-in-chief of Russian Army General Mikhail Kutuzov wrote to his wife on October 28, 1812: “Yesterday we found in the forest two French soldiers, who fried and eat their third comrade”.

BREAKING THE MYTH

So would it be correct to say that General Hunger was much stronger then General Winter? Finally, one or both rapidly helped to destroy French army of 1812.

Was it a good lesson for war strategy class?...Apparently not, 130 years later in Stalingrad another strong European army tried to test loyal Russian Army Allies: general Winter & General Hunger.

Hedge funds in Russia

Do you have local hedge funds in Russia?

Asked by Alexander, Paris

I'll give you just a brief outlook, as there is a lot to say on this dynamic part of the world economics.

HISTORY & THEORY

Comparing to the US, where the first hedge fund was created in 1949, Russia was a late bloomer to provide conditions for operating hedge funds.

Soviet economy didn't believe in trading, so it was only in 1996 when the first a hedge fund Diamond Age Russia Fund (with assets of over 20 million dollars) was registered in Russia. As the site of the company says, the fund's investment objective is to generate maximum (absolute) long-term USD capital appreciation through an actively-managed, concentrated, hedged portfolio of Russian and Russia-related securities. Its activity had its ups and downs but the fund has managed to stay on the surface despite of various events (like local financial crisis of 1998) rocking Russian economy during the last decade. It managed to stay rather unique on the market for a long time but since economy always looks to maximize the profit....many of those investors who were restraining from investing in Russian economy before looking at the performance results quickly considered a change in their plans. Since mid of 2000-s investments in Russian showed stable returns and immediately the country was considered by those funds whose investment strategy was based on investing in highly risky but also highly profitable emerging markets economies (up to 25% of return comparing to 11% of other types of hedge fund strategies) .
As you can see from the table below almost all hedge funds (with Emerging Markets investment strategy) in 2009 over performed the previous year (first column 2009 results, second column 2008)




Experts suggest that last years Emerging markets hedge funds drew in over $9bn in new assets. This is more than was investing in this area 5 years ago when only $3.3bn was put into these types of hedge funds.

LEGAL BASE FOR HEDGE FUND IN RUSSIA

According to Russian legislation published in 2007 (Federal Law of the Russian Federation "On the Securities Market" and Federal Law of the Russian Federation "On the Investnment funds"), the hedge-fund is an investment partnership which can invest in not only securities (actions, bonds, etc.), but also in derivatives (options, futures), precious metals, as well as very risky investments, such as, for example, purchase of football club or objects of art.
These funds operating in Russia must be managed by professional professional managers or operating companies which obtained a license of Russian Federation.
Thus the asset's structure of Russian hedge-funds is determined by local legislation, as well as who can be considered eligible for to become investor of a hedge fund:

• One who owns securities and (or) other financial tools of total cost no less than 3mn RUR;
• One who has an operational experience in Russian and (or) foreign company which worked with securities and (or) derivatives;
• Performed quarterly within last 4 quarters not less than 10 deals with securities and (or) other financial tools which cumulative price for specified time has been not less than 300 thousand RUR, or concluded within last 3 years not less than 5 deals with securities and (or) other financial tools which cumulative price has made not less than 3 million RUR.

The most important criteria of abowe list is the last one - a prove to have necessary funds at the investor's disposal.

Of cause it will be unfair to say that hedge funds are easily accepted to work on Russian territory. Recent events during the process against local lawyer of London-based Hermitage Capital Management fund (who died in prison waiting for the trial) showed that Russian legal system is still vulnerable and confirmed that Russia is a real emerging market country with all following consequences and constrains.

NOWADAYS

As for today there are 6 hedge funds operating in Russia.

One of which is Prosperity Capital management (from top 30 European hedge funds classification) which currently has $4.1 bn under management and owns shares of many Russian and ex-USSR companies.

The others have less assets under management but they definitely will try to profit from post-crisis economy recovery.

And finally...REAL JAMES BOND GIRL

The shortage of local hedge funds are definitely compensated by the interest of local people ))))))....or those who are concerned by business intelligence (like recently (June 2010) accused of spying in Russia's favor US based personal assistant of the CEO of London-based hedge fund Navigator Asset Management Advisers, Ms.Anna Chapman, for example)

Russian business ethics

I am a student (business school to be more precise, based in Paris) and I am working on an oral presentation. The real topic is "How to do business with Russian people". Your blog helped me to know some of the habits that you have in this country. But I was just wondering if you could give me a hand on "the do's and dont's" with Russian people, especially in an business context.

And if you are aware about what a foreigner has to do before enter the country, I will be very grateful!

Asked by Naima, Paris

Dear Naima, I had to do a big research to answer your question...and am sure there is a lot to mention. So to meet the expectation of a business school student, I'll try to be short (PowerPoint presentation style?))
Some practical advice is given below although the majority would be applicable for many other countries (!). However, the expectation to see the Western model working in Russia like in other European countries could bring nothing but troubles.

• Be patient. It's known that “time is money”. As a result, Western businessmen are often impatient. They love to check the cost of time. In Russia, this, to a certain extent, is an unlimited resource. Patience is the major Russian virtue so Russians are accustomed to waiting for what they want. Foreigners, who expect a quick conclusion of a transaction can be really disappointed.

• Be ready to meet Russian managers who often have dual ethics. It is necessary to understand the difference between “ours” and “theirs”. Some studies in this area explain: “As a rule, managers have the highest ethical standards in the circle of their personal connections (“our”), but at the same time the same people can easily violate all ethical standards with respect to “theirs” (be dishonest, violate obligations, break agreements)."

• Respect is everything. Avoid impersonal messages. After obtaining a proposal on paper Russians can put it on hold ( “to mature”) and wait for personal contact. They assume that those who have no time to drop by obviously don't take the offer seriously.

• Build personal relationships. Russians entrust personal relations more than contracts. Remember commercial laws and contracts do not mean as much in Russia as in the West. Some consultants working with Russians specify that detailed contracts often follow an oral agreement concluded during an informal meeting. (Is is really typical just for Russians?)

• Use local consultants. Many business rules have changed since the early 1990s when the first businessmen put their foot on this "terre inconnue". Knowledge of the Russian language and experience in the local environment play an important role. Consequently, it is better to have a local consultant than an expat.

Remember, business ethics are different. For example, "offers" considered by Americans as presents, in Russia are considered as the means for building relationship. Although explicit bribes are illegal in foreign firms, symbolic gifts are usually legal. Such symbols as a rule, are more important than monetary “gifts”, although a certain “tariff” can be necessary for bureaucrats to advance paperwork.

• Emphasize exclusiveness. Russians prefer exceptional relationship. Foreigners frequently share financial information with competitors hoping to conclude more successful transaction. Russians, however, rarely do so.

Expectations of Russians

• Russians can overestimate the interest of an investor in the Russian market, while foreigners are really only examining potential possibilities.

Time management
Your Russian partners can have overloaded and badly planned agendas, which simply reflect the real state of affairs concerning time management in Russia.

Advantages

Russians can expect both organizational and personal advantages from negotiations. This means that those who lead negotiations can look for some personal benefits. (Will my personal financial and official situations change? Will there be any trips and other perks for me?)

Negotiations

Thoroughly select your delegation. Age and status are very important as well as gender, by the way. Women and young managers have a harder time gain the trust of Russian managers. Naturally, Russians prefer to deal with those who occupy important positions. Negotiations with junior representatives are received, at best as temporary and impersonal, and, at worst, they can be considered insulting.

Cultural
Even if many Russian businessmen have studied abroad and traveled around the world, people can still underestimate international cultural differences.
And last but not least. Be ready to drink ))). It is common in Russia spend long hours at working dinners (But I guess, you read about this Russian tradition before from other sources))))

P.S. To answer your last question, I have to invite you to read my introduction note )))))
Do a little bit of home work, please Google Russian entry visa information!