# Endnotes explained — Yama > Chapter companion for Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin. ## What happens This section contains the translator's endnotes for the book, providing explanations, cultural references, and commentary on various terms, allusions, and translation choices made throughout the text. ## Key lines > Houses of Suffrance — i.e., Houses of the Necessary Evil. The term 'Houses of Suffrance' is explained as a euphemism for brothels, meaning 'Houses of the Necessary Evil.' _Translator's clarification of a euphemism._ > The Russian term is 'pharaoh.' The original Russian word used is 'pharaoh.' _Translator's note on a specific Russian term._ > A German exclamation of disgust or contempt, corresponding to the English fie. A German expression of disgust is equivalent to the English 'fie.' _Translator's explanation of a foreign exclamation._ > Probably a sly dig at Gautier's Captain Fracasse. This may be a subtle reference to Gautier's work 'Captain Fracasse.' _Translator's speculation on a literary allusion._ > A small, secret opening, unnoticeable from the outside. A hidden opening that is not visible externally. _Definition of a term used in the text._ > The Russian equivalent of 'pox,' 'syph.' The Russian word is the equivalent of 'pox' or 'syph.' _Translator's note on a colloquial term for syphilis._ > Positive—Benedict Arnold; comparative—Judas Iscariot; superlative—Georgii Apollonovich Gapon, priest and political agent provocateur. A humorous ranking of traitors: Benedict Arnold as positive, Judas Iscariot as comparative, and Gapon as superlative. _Translator's explanation of a joke about betrayal._ > Tony the Potato. A nickname or character name 'Tony the Potato.' _Translator's note on a name._ > An untranslatable pun on Economochka, a diminutive for 'housekeeper.' There is a pun on the word 'Economochka,' which is a diminutive for 'housekeeper,' that cannot be translated. _Translator's note on an untranslatable wordplay._ > Sourwater. A literal translation of a name or term meaning 'Sourwater.' _Translator's note on a name._ > The Russian expression is 'the red flag.' The Russian phrase used is 'the red flag.' _Translator's note on a Russian expression._ > The reference here is most probably to Chekhov. This likely alludes to the writer Chekhov. _Translator's speculation on a literary reference._ > The heroine of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. This refers to the female protagonist in Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment.' _Translator's identification of a literary character._ > The little claw is sunk in, the whole bird is bound to perish—a folk proverb used by Tolstoy as a subtitle to his The Power of Darkness. A folk proverb about a bird caught by a claw, used by Tolstoy as a subtitle for his play 'The Power of Darkness.' _Translator's explanation of a proverb and its literary use._ > All provincial towns. Refers to all towns outside the capital. _Translator's clarification of a phrase._ > Horizon is quoting a Nietzscheism of Gorky's. The character Horizon is quoting a Nietzschean idea expressed by Gorky. _Translator's note on a philosophical reference._ > While there can be but little doubt that these four stanzas are an actual transcript from life, Heinrich Heine's 'Ein Weib' is such a striking parallel that it may be reproduced here as a matter of interest. These four stanzas seem to be based on real life, but they closely resemble Heine's poem 'Ein Weib,' which is provided for comparison. _Translator's note on a poetic parallel._ > Pay attention, baroness, the girl is rather educated for one of her position. The speaker notes to the baroness that the girl is surprisingly educated given her social standing. _Translator's translation of a French dialogue._ > Just imagine, I, too, have remarked this strange face. But where have I seen it … was it in a dream? … in semi-delirium? Or in her early infancy? The baroness also notices the strange face and wonders where she has seen it before—perhaps in a dream or in the girl's early childhood. _Translator's translation of a French dialogue._ > Don't trouble to strain your memory, baroness. I will come to your aid at once. Just recall Kharkov, a room in Koniakine's hotel, the theatrical manager, Solovieitschik, and a certain lyrical tenor … At that time you were not yet Baroness de … The speaker tells the baroness not to strain her memory and reminds her of a past event in Kharkov involving a hotel, a theatrical manager, and a tenor, before she became a baroness. _Translator's translation of a French dialogue._ > But tell me, in God's name, how you have come to be here, Mademoiselle Marguerite? The speaker asks Mademoiselle Marguerite how she ended up in this place. _Translator's translation of a French dialogue._ > Somewhat like a Spitzenburg, but a trifle rounder. Describes something as similar to a Spitzenburg apple but slightly rounder. _Translator's note on a comparison._ > Love. The word means 'love.' _Translator's translation of a foreign word._ > In contradistinction to 'thou,' as used to familiars and inferiors in Russia. This contrasts with the informal 'thou,' which is used for close acquaintances and social inferiors in Russian. _Translator's explanation of Russian pronoun usage._ > God is great. A phrase meaning 'God is great.' _Translator's translation of a foreign phrase._ > The Russian phrase is 'Eedet!' The Russian expression is 'Eedet!' _Translator's note on a Russian phrase._ > A verst is equal to two-thirds of a mile. One verst is equivalent to about two-thirds of a mile. _Translator's conversion of a Russian unit of distance._ > Anglice, 'confet' is a bonbon; 'portret,' a portrait. In English, 'confet' means a bonbon, and 'portret' means a portrait. _Translator's note on mispronunciations or transliterations._ > A Russian bon vivant, wit and poet (1781–1839), the overwhelming majority of whose lyrics deals with military exploits and debauches. A Russian poet and wit from 1781 to 1839, most of whose poems are about military feats and debauchery. _Translator's biographical note on Denis Davydov._ > Orenburg has as high a reputation for woolens as Sheffield has for steel. Orenburg is famous for woolens just as Sheffield is known for steel. _Translator's comparison of industrial reputations._ > Schoolbooks (taking their names from their authors), upon which generation after generation of gymnazists have been brought up. Textbooks named after their authors that have been used by generations of gymnasium students. _Translator's note on standard Russian schoolbooks._ > This story is Lit No. 29, by Guy de Maupassant. The story referenced is 'Lit No. 29' by Guy de Maupassant. _Translator's identification of a literary work._ > In English, a 'toff'; in American, a 'swell.' In British English, the term is 'toff'; in American English, it is 'swell.' _Translator's note on slang for a fashionable person._ > My mastery of the German language is a trifle worse than that of the French, but I can always keep up my end in parlor small talk. The speaker says their German is slightly worse than their French, but they can manage in polite conversation. _Translator's translation of a German dialogue._ > O, splendid! … You have a bewitching Riga enunciation, the most correct of all the German ones. And so, let us continue in my tongue. That is far sweeter to my ear—my mother tongue. All right? The speaker compliments the other's Riga accent as the most correct German and suggests continuing in their native language. _Translator's translation of a German dialogue._ > All right. Agreement in German. _Translator's translation of a German response._ > In the very end you will give in, as though unwillingly, as though against your will, as though from infatuation, a momentary caprice, and—which is the main thing—as though on the sly from me. You understand? For this the fools pay enormous money. However, it seems I will not have to teach you. The speaker instructs the other to eventually yield reluctantly and secretly, which fools pay a lot for, but notes that teaching may not be necessary. _Translator's translation of a German dialogue._ > Yes, my dear madam. You say very wise things. But this is no longer small talk; it is, rather, serious conversation … The speaker acknowledges the wisdom but notes the conversation has shifted from small talk to serious discussion. _Translator's translation of a German dialogue._ > Zolotorotzi —a subtle euphemism for cleaners of cesspools and carters of the wealth contained therein. The term 'Zolotorotzi' is a euphemism for workers who clean cesspools and cart away the waste. _Translator's explanation of a Russian euphemism._ > The first edition in English consisted—if the publisher is to be believed—of 1,225 copies, retailing from ten to sixty dollars per copy; the next edition—with the same qualification of its publisher's statement—was of 1,550 copies, also prohibitively priced. This revised, augmented edition is the third. The first English edition had 1,225 copies priced between $10 and $60; the second had 1,550 copies at similarly high prices; this is the third, revised edition. _Translator's note on the publication history._ > In a delightful letter to me Kuprin has written: 'I am not at all mistaken in saying that Yama was translated in all lands and realms—with the possible exception of the Touaregs and the Bottoludi. … I must say that in England and in Holland neither Yama nor Sulamith was allowed: the first for its naked truth; the second for its light-minded attitude toward the Bible. …' I myself, as a bookseller, have had occasion to supply Yama in Yiddish. And since the above was written, this version of Yama has been published in England and has met with deserved success. Kuprin wrote that 'Yama' was translated everywhere except among the Touaregs and Bottoludi, and that it and 'Sulamith' were banned in England and Holland for their content. The translator notes supplying a Yiddish edition and that the English version later succeeded. _Translator's note on the book's international reception and censorship._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/yama_se/chapters/endnotes - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/yama_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/yama_se/chapters