: Re: Untranslated passages in translated works I constantly find in translations of classic works untranslated passages. In English translations of Russian novels I find dialogue or narrative in French

@BetL639

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The cynical side of me thinks sometimes it is that the writer wants to appear well-educated. However, this is obviously not always the case.

Sometimes a phrase has a clearer meaning, sounds better or is far more succint in the original language e.g. veni vidi vici.

Sometimes a character will use foreign expressions because it is what he or she would do in real life (more common is Victorian and slightly later novels).

Occasionally it is a quick way to create atmosphere or setting.

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