This play has been translated into English from the Russian original. Are there any expressions or ways of speaking that strike you as more Russian than English? For example, would an adult man be addressed by an older man as my darling or my treasure in an English play? Read through the play carefully, and find expressions that you think are not used in contemporary English, and contrast these with idiomatic modern English expressions that also occur in the play.
Yes, the translated play contains several expressions that feel more Russian than contemporary English. First, the affectionate terms of address used by an older man for an adult man stand out, such as when Chubukov calls Lomov "my darling" and "my angel", saying he loves him "as if you were my own son." In modern English, such intimate endearments between adult male acquaintances would be highly unusual.
Second, there are formal and archaic expressions like "Honoured Stepan Stepanovitch" and the exclamation "By Jove!" and "egad", which are not part of contemporary English usage.
Third, the repetitive filler phrases like "and so on", "and all that sort of thing", and "and so on and so on" appear frequently, reflecting a Russian speech pattern rather than natural English dialogue.
Fourth, the dramatic emotional exclamations like "My heart!" and "My feet... temples... sparks... I fall, I fall!" feel translated and overly theatrical for modern English.
In contrast, the play also uses idiomatic modern English expressions like "Shut up!", "You fool!", and "I lose my temper", which are natural and commonly used today.
Explanation
The question requires students to identify Russian-flavored expressions in Chekhov's translated play and contrast them with modern English idioms. Key examples include the overly affectionate terms between men (my darling, my angel), archaic exclamations (By Jove, egad), repetitive fillers (and so on), and melodramatic physical complaints. These contrast with natural modern English expressions also present in the play like 'Shut up' and 'You fool'.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify affectionate terms unusual in modern English (my darling, my angel, my dear fellow)
Step 2: Note archaic/formal expressions (Honoured Stepan Stepanovitch, By Jove, egad)
Step 3: Find repetitive Russian-style fillers (and so on, and all that sort of thing)
Step 4: Identify dramatic/translated exclamations (My heart!, I fall, I fall!)
Step 5: Contrast with modern English idioms in the play (Shut up!, You fool!, lose my temper)