Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0010454, Thu, 28 Oct 2004 16:03:41 -0700

Subject
Fwd: ADA: hysteria - hysteritis
Date
Body
While translating Ada into Polish, I've noticed in my notes a pun,
unnoticed in Boyds' Annotations to Ada.

ADA Part 1, Chapter 15, 95.09-11
"when Van removed a silk thread of larva web from his lip and remarked
that such negligence of attire was a form of hysteria."

In my opinion, what Van actually has in mind is hysteritis, inflamation of
uterus. It might not be a major issue, but every translator of Ada should
take it into account, I think. I'm actually punning on some other
affliction, but still.

Cheers,
Tomasz

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