στρατάριζαν
- Thread starter altan
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Στα χείλια του στρατάριζαν τα τρυφερά λόγια του προπάππου του.
We know that in standard Greek this στραταρίζω is toddle, like a child (a toddler) learning to walk.
But I find in one source that in the dialects of western Crete this may be "mince" (Walk with short quick steps in an affectedly dainty manner): περπατώ με βήματα μικρά, χαριτωμένα, τρέχω πιο γρήγορα από λαγό.
I don't know which meaning Peter Bien had in mind when he translated this as:
the words "Brother Ant" were on the tip of his tongue
We know that in standard Greek this στραταρίζω is toddle, like a child (a toddler) learning to walk.
But I find in one source that in the dialects of western Crete this may be "mince" (Walk with short quick steps in an affectedly dainty manner): περπατώ με βήματα μικρά, χαριτωμένα, τρέχω πιο γρήγορα από λαγό.
I don't know which meaning Peter Bien had in mind when he translated this as:
the words "Brother Ant" were on the tip of his tongue
cougr
¥
By citing just part of that one sentence I probably gave an unbalanced view of Bien's translation. Here's the entire paragraph:
I could risk guessing that he had the standard meaning of στραταρίζω in mind: think of the words hesitantly forming themselves / taking their first steps across his lips.
Ένα μερμηγκάκι περπατούσε στο πέτο του σακακιού του· το πήρε με άκρα τρυφεράδα και το απόθεσε στη γης, παράμερα, να μην το πατήσουν. Δεν είπε τίποτα, μα στα χείλια του στρατάριζαν τα τρυφερά λόγια του προπάππου του από την Ασίζη: «Αδέρφι μου μερμηγκάκι...».
A tiny ant was parading on the lapel of his jacket. He took hold of it with untold tenderness and placed it on the ground, off to one side so that no one would trample it. Though he said nothing, the words “Brother Ant” were on the tip of his tongue, the tender words of his great-grandfather from Assisi.
A tiny ant was parading on the lapel of his jacket. He took hold of it with untold tenderness and placed it on the ground, off to one side so that no one would trample it. Though he said nothing, the words “Brother Ant” were on the tip of his tongue, the tender words of his great-grandfather from Assisi.
I could risk guessing that he had the standard meaning of στραταρίζω in mind: think of the words hesitantly forming themselves / taking their first steps across his lips.