Nov 8, 2005 10:11
18 yrs ago
Czech term
Query on Czech surnames
Czech to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
I know no Czech at all but am proofreading the English translation of some German stories set in Prague in the 19th century. Hence the characters have Czech names. This particular story concerns a Mr. Augusta. His wife is usually just referred to as "Mr. Augusta's wife" but in one place she is called "Mrs. Augustka". Is Augustka (with a k) a valid form of the name or is it a misprint?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +5 | It is a misprint |
Marek Buchtel
|
| 5 +2 | Mrs. Augusta |
Vladimir Suda
|
| 4 | It's kind of diminutive, pet name of sorts |
Yuri Smirnov
|
Proposed translations
+5
8 mins
Marek Buchtel
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Native in Czech
Czech Republic
Proficiency in IT, law and marketing
Native in: Czech 
Works in: English to Czech, Czech to English, Slovak to English, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
It is a misprint
The correct form of the name would be "Mrs. Augustová"
"Augustka" (without the Mrs.) might be a "nickname" for the lady, if speak about her (not to her).
"Augustka" (without the Mrs.) might be a "nickname" for the lady, if speak about her (not to her).
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for the information, which is just what I needed to know. I don't think it is a misprint, because the text has a deliberately quaint style and people's explanations of the situations in which this style of address is used fit well."
7 mins
Yuri Smirnov
Specializes in field
Daily Translation since 1992
Native in: Belarusian 
, Russian
Works in: English to Belarusian, English to Russian, French to Russian, and 10 more.
It's kind of diminutive, pet name of sorts
-
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2005-11-08 10:19:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Like John-Johny boy
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2005-11-08 10:19:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Like John-Johny boy
+2
10 mins
Vladimir Suda
Czech Republic
Czech Republic
Native in Czech
&
English
Czech Republic
A reliable professional - always!
Native in: Czech , English
Works in: English to Czech, Czech to English, Slovak to English, and 4 more.
Mrs. Augusta
Your suspicion is right, the combination "Mrs. Augustka" does not make sense. Augustka alone - without Mrs. - could be a spoken, not very elegant, in fact quite common :-),alternative of the woman's name, but as such it would not come with Mrs.
In this context, with 99% certainty, cling to "Mrs. Augusta". I keep that 1% should a broader context somehow justify the discussed form - but I do believe you would detect that broader context and you are not mentioning it.
In this context, with 99% certainty, cling to "Mrs. Augusta". I keep that 1% should a broader context somehow justify the discussed form - but I do believe you would detect that broader context and you are not mentioning it.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Veronika Hansova
: I'd even say that "Augustka" is a sort of a soft invective.
1 hr
|
|
could be, in case the speaker adds a wry smile..... a friendly smile, on the other hand, could neutralize a lot of (maybe not all..) the "commonness" of the form... do you agree, VM?
|
|
| agree |
Anna Nadvornikova-Hradil
: I completely agree.
3 hrs
|
Something went wrong...