Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Russian term or phrase:
инициатива наказуема
English translation:
no initiative goes unpunished
Added to glossary by
Sergei Krotov
Jun 8, 2010 10:12
13 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Russian term
Portugal
Perfect Translations and High Techs
Native in: Russian (Variants: Standard-Russia, Standard-Latvia, Standard-Kyrgyzstan, Standard-Lithuania, Standard-Kazakhstan, Standard-Ukraine, Standard-Belarus, Standard-Uzbekistan, Standard-Georgia) 
Works in: English to Russian, Russian to English, Portuguese to Russian, and 4 more.
Инициатива наказуема.
Russian to English
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Article on Russian Agriculture
Context:
"На протяжении 70 лет им говорили: "***Инициатива наказуема***, делай лишь то, что говорят". Сейчас мы пытаемся сказать им: "Настало время нести ответственность за свои решения", - и многих это очень пугает".
Речь идет о бывших колхозниках, не способных эффективно вести фермерское хозяйство.
Спасибо!
"На протяжении 70 лет им говорили: "***Инициатива наказуема***, делай лишь то, что говорят". Сейчас мы пытаемся сказать им: "Настало время нести ответственность за свои решения", - и многих это очень пугает".
Речь идет о бывших колхозниках, не способных эффективно вести фермерское хозяйство.
Спасибо!
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +8 | no initiative goes unpunished |
Smantha
|
| 4 +1 | initiative is punishable. |
Inna Katashova
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| 4 | Taking initiative is subject to punishment. |
Rachel Douglas
|
| 5 -1 | no good deed goes unpunished |
Natalie Koshman
|
Proposed translations
+8
14 mins
Selected
no initiative goes unpunished
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/931004/archive_01...
A Russian proverb that captures both the cynicism and the inertia of day-to-day life in Russia declares that "no initiative goes unpunished." Yeltsin's bold move will test that gloomy wisdom.
A Russian proverb that captures both the cynicism and the inertia of day-to-day life in Russia declares that "no initiative goes unpunished." Yeltsin's bold move will test that gloomy wisdom.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Konstantin Volkov
: этот вариант подошел бы, если бы перед словом инициатива стояло "любая/всякая"
3 mins
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Не согласна с Вами, но спасибо за мнение.
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| agree |
Sergei Vasin
16 mins
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Спасибо!
|
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| agree |
Rachel Douglas
: I think it's basically fine this way, but would be more emphatic: "No initiative shall go unpunished."
1 hr
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Thank you!
|
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| agree |
Zamira B.
1 hr
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Спасибо!
|
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| agree |
Olga Arakelyan
1 hr
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Спасибо!
|
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| agree |
LOliver
1 hr
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Спасибо!
|
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| neutral |
gutbuster
: The word initiative in Russian and English has same and differing meanings.
2 hrs
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Agreed, but I believe it fits in this case.
|
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| agree |
Judith Hehir
8 hrs
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Thank you!
|
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| agree |
Tim Sergay
: Fine and unmistakably accurate as is. Tim Sergay
15 hrs
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Thank you!
|
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| agree |
Svetlana Branhouse
2981 days
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you, Smantha!"
+1
3 mins
Inna Katashova
Ukraine
Ukraine
Native in Russian
Specializes in field
Ukraine
good converting word currency
Native in: Russian 
, Ukrainian
Works in: English to Russian, English to Ukrainian, Russian to Ukrainian, and 2 more.
initiative is punishable.
http://objectmix.com/graphics/135015-autodesk-animator-studi...
Russian business saying)
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Note added at 27 мин (2010-06-08 10:39:59 GMT)
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or
ANY initiative...
Russian business saying)
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Note added at 27 мин (2010-06-08 10:39:59 GMT)
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or
ANY initiative...
Note from asker:
| ;) |
1 hr
Rachel Douglas
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Excellent English from Russian originals
Native in: English (Variants: British, Australian, US)
Works in: Russian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
84
Taking initiative is subject to punishment.
Another pseudo-legalese way to put it.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
gutbuster
: The word initiative in Russian and English has same and differing meanings. Let me explain: In those days, the catchword was Инициатива, инициатива и еще раз инициатива на местах. at grassroot level, то бишь
1 hr
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So? In English, that's called "showing initiative" ("being a go-getter," etc.) Thank you for commenting, though.
|
-1
3 hrs
no good deed goes unpunished
This expression is used quiet often in the English language. This is the only version I have ever heard used by a native English speaker.
in the Wiki biography of Clare Booth Luce, the following statement is made:
As a writer for stage, film and magazines, Luce was known for her skill with satire and understatement, as well as her charm with people, which she displayed in oft-quoted aphorisms such as, "No good deed goes unpunished."
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Note added at 4 hrs (2010-06-08 14:24:31 GMT)
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Yes, I understand that the authors is speaking of initiative. However, if this is an idiom and we are looking for the English equivalent and not just a transliteration of the phrase, this is the only rendering that will make sense to a native English speaker.
http://definingcharacters.com/blog/2006/03/11/transliteratio...
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Note added at 4 hrs (2010-06-08 14:35:16 GMT)
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Yes, however I think we are getting "hung-up" on the word "initiative". Taking the initiative implies taking the first step to do something good. An English-speaking person will immediately recognize and understand the phrase, "No good deed goes unpunished." This is the exact English equivalent and rendering of "meaning" as opposed to a simple transliteration of words.
in the Wiki biography of Clare Booth Luce, the following statement is made:
As a writer for stage, film and magazines, Luce was known for her skill with satire and understatement, as well as her charm with people, which she displayed in oft-quoted aphorisms such as, "No good deed goes unpunished."
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2010-06-08 14:24:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Yes, I understand that the authors is speaking of initiative. However, if this is an idiom and we are looking for the English equivalent and not just a transliteration of the phrase, this is the only rendering that will make sense to a native English speaker.
http://definingcharacters.com/blog/2006/03/11/transliteratio...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2010-06-08 14:35:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Yes, however I think we are getting "hung-up" on the word "initiative". Taking the initiative implies taking the first step to do something good. An English-speaking person will immediately recognize and understand the phrase, "No good deed goes unpunished." This is the exact English equivalent and rendering of "meaning" as opposed to a simple transliteration of words.
Note from asker:
| Unfortunately, I don't think it fits the context - the author speaks not of good deeds but of the ability of taking initiative. |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
gutbuster
: wide of the mark. You failed to understand the meaning of the phrase. Yours is хочешь остаться в дураках - сделай доброе дело
16 mins
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Yes, I understand that the author is speaking of initiative. However, if this is an idiom and we are looking for the English equivalent and not just a transliteration of the phrase, this is the only rendering that will make sense to a native English spea
|
|
| disagree |
Rachel Douglas
: Changing "initiative" to "good deeds" wd only make a native Eng speaker misunderstand. But a translation w the shape of the idiom "No good deed...", and the sense of "initiative" (enterprise, drive, go-to-itiveness, etc.), like Smantha's version, wd work.
1 hr
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Discussion
There's another phrase in Russia which is quite close to what you proposed: "не делай добра - не получишь зла", but it has nothing to do with the case.
But still, thank you for your variant!
BTW, in Russian translation theory the word "transliteration" has a different meaning which is letter-for-letter translation compared to to transcription.
For S & K: I doubt you need to use a parenthetical explanation. Even if they're not as common as, say, the expression "No good deed shall go unpunished," it's easy for either "No initiative shall go unpunished" or "Showing initiative is subject to punishment" to be heard as a maxim.