Bratricku - Karel Kryl

Discussion in 'Vocabulary & Translation Help' started by dzurisova, Oct 20, 2015.

  1. dzurisova

    dzurisova Well-Known Member

    Can someone please translate:

    maringotkách

    polobotkách

    salami

    Even with all the words translated, I feel as if I'm missing the real translation.
    :cry:
     
  2. Jirka

    Jirka Well-Known Member

    Hi Katka:

    First of all, the last word listed, salami, is not really Czech, which I shouldn't have to point out about with respect to your (or Martin's) background. It is probably supposed to refer to some sort of sausage.

    The first and second words are both in the plural locative form while searching for a word's meaning, I suggest using its singular nominative form: maringotka, polobotka.

    The former of the first two words means trailer(s) in the sense of caravan(s) but the typical appearance is rather specific; do try web search for images.

    The latter, or second, word means (low) shoe(s). Again, not all kinds of shoes; web search for images will give you an idea.

    Your last line's comment is a bit funny. The words concerned have no obvious connection with each other. Unlike the readers of your post, you know the context.

    Good luck…

    Jirka
     
  3. dzurisova

    dzurisova Well-Known Member

    Sorry, I had difficulty posting this and had to put it through a couple of times. I thought I had titled it "Bratříčku - Karel Kryl" giving everyone the context of the post and thus also allowing my last sentence to actually make sense to everyone.
     
  4. Jirka

    Jirka Well-Known Member

    Well, as regards the trailers in the song, their atrributives are important, boxy iron, since they metaphorically refer to tanks in the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia orchestrated from Moscow.

    It turns out that your 'salami' is actually 'silami': strength in the instrumental form. The line says (swallow the bad words and) save your strength.

    The shoes are not very important. In my opinion, they are just part of appearance to conjure an image of a little boy = little brother, the name of the song…

    Regards…

    Jirka
     
  5. dzurisova

    dzurisova Well-Known Member

    Thank you
     

Share This Page