Hm...

[katikat]

After reading suzvoy's recap of the latest episode of Merlin, I decided I really needed to keep watching the show *nodnod*

---

I'm reading Ilona Andrews' "Magic Bites" at the moment, the first book in her "Kate Daniels Series". I need to review it for my boss and if it turns out to be good - and so far, it does look good - I might end up translating it. And that's where it gets complicated.

You see, Ilona Andrews obviously has some Czech ancestors - the name Ilona is very common here. And in her book, she delves into the Slavic mythology. But! She is the perfect proof that authors should never use foreign words that they don't understand. She took the Czech word "upíři" and used it for Slavic, flesh-eating monsters. The problem is that it's kinda not right. The term "upíři" is the literal translation of "vampires", upír is a vampire. So, if I should end up translating the book, I would have to deal with both vampires and upiri at once. And what the heck should I do with that? *upset* Authors should really stay away from languages they don't speak!

Comments

[suzvoy.livejournal.com]

After reading suzvoy's recap of the latest episode of Merlin, I decided I really needed to keep watching the show *nodnod*

\o/

[katikat.livejournal.com]

\o/ times two!

[yami-tai.livejournal.com]

I decided I really needed to keep watching the show *nodnod*

You really, really do, petal, it is beyond slashy ^_^!

Authors should really stay away from languages they don't speak!

Or at least get it corroborated by a native speaker before publishing! If you didn't know what word she had tried to use for these creatures, what Czech word would you use?

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I'm researching the difference between vampýři and upíři. I think I will use vampýři for vampires because it describes creature that died and came back to life and upíři for the flesh-eating monsters. Hm...

I'm looking forward to Merlin even more now. I will leave it for tomorrow because I'm taking the day off (and Tuesday too! \o/). I have so many shows to catch up on!

[yami-tai.livejournal.com]

I think I will use vampýři for vampires because it describes creature that died and came back to life and upíři for the flesh-eating monsters. Hm...

Sounds good to me, but what would I know *g*?! What does your mum think?

I'm looking forward to Merlin even more now.

I really hope that you like it as much as I do...

[keire-ke.livejournal.com]

Could be Polish she's referring to - "upiór" is usually synonymous with "spirit" or "ghost", but can refer to a variety of creatures that are quasi-corporeal.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I think that the author is mixing Polish, Russian and Czech together *head/desk*

[bendtothesun.livejournal.com]

Having just mainlined the four episodes that are out all I can say is oh hell yes. It's a slashy dream come true.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I want to watch ep 3 today but I have to agree. The slash potential is definitely there! *nodnod*

[bendtothesun.livejournal.com]

Oh man, seriously wait until you get to episode 4... it's a slashy thing to behold. *giggle*

[ilona-andrews.livejournal.com]

Actually Ilona Andrews happens to be Ilona Alexandrovna Poltavtseva by maiden name. I have it on a good authority that she is Russian by birth and Russian is her first language. She seems to be using upir (упырь) the way Afanasiev used it it in his very large collection of folk tales. :) In Russian folklore, upiri are described sometimes as vampires and sometimes as flesh-eaters. For example, one of the prevalent folkloric motives features a young woman witnessing an upir devouring a dead body laid out for burial in the church, which then prompts the upir to start nuking her relatives, turning her into a pretty flower, and variously messing with her life in an effort to make her go away with him.

I was named after Ilona Massey. My grandmother was watching a Christmas movie with her while I was in the hospital and she was convinced that I would turn out to be a precious blonde angel. Ha! Not so much.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Hi there :)

I'm reviewing your books for my publisher since he is trying to expand his horizons outside plain fantasy and sci-fi. And I must say that I love it so far. Like really really. Kate Daniels is exactly the type of heroine that I adore - and I have a very peculiar taste in female characters: Hamilton's Anita Blake or Harrison's Rachel Morgan no. Briggs' Mercy Thompson or your Kate Daniels oh yes. Kate is strong and perky and capable without being obnoxious! Some people obviously can write women *thumbs up* Also, your world is amazingly original (were-creatures are my favorite supernatural beings). How did you come up with it? Oh, and we solved the problem with the Czech upíři - we will use vampýři for the English vampires and plain upíři for your upiri. My publisher found my ponderings quite amusing :D

[ilona-andrews.livejournal.com]

I am so glad the book worked out. :) I do horrible things to mythology in my books, so I'm thrilled it didn't completely destroyed the story for you.

You know, I'm not sure how I came up with it. It just kind of happened. But then Slavic mythology in general has so many more changelings than English one, so I guess I just kind of dragged our Slavic elements into the English narrative kicking and screaming. Hopefully, it's not too much of a mess.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I love it when authors take a new approach to the usual mythology. I especially like your take on vampires - gorgeous, sexy vampires are nice and all but yours are more scary! I loved the scene where the ancient vampire attacked Kate and Derek and Ghastek's vampire. Wow, talk about scary O.O!

[ilona-andrews.livejournal.com]

There are a bunch of people who do suave sexy vamps well. I just thought it would be nifty to have the creepy bug-like vampires.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

My favorite guy is Curran - but then, I adore weres in general (must be the whole pack mentality ;P). I love how his smugness keeps ruffling Kate's feathers! When she saw him in the tank and pointed at his... assets! XD

[ilona-andrews.livejournal.com]

Heee, you'd like the second one then. If you read on the computer, I can throw a pdf at you.

[katikat.livejournal.com]

I have it already in my grabby hands! I made my boss get me the second one immediately. Whenever I find a heroine I like, I get all the books I can with her. And Kate just rocks my socks! I love that she and Curran bicker without insulting each other. That's a rare thing these days...

Is there a third book on its way? *eager*

[ilona-andrews.livejournal.com]

Heee! Yes, the third one has been turned in and I will be starting the fourth one around december. :)

[katikat.livejournal.com]

How awesome is that! \o/ I'm so looking forward to more books in this series!