"Translated from the Russian"

Question

Frankly, I'm more accustomed to seeing names of languages used without the article. He speaks English, she translates from French (aside from the greatest poet of the English language etc.)
So, why do books in their edition notices say "translated from the Russian"? Or is it just wrong that I can't understand this (although I'm not denying it is correct)?

Thanks for all responses.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

AnonymousSo, why do books in their edition notices say "translated from the Russian"? Or is it just wrong that I can't understand this (although I'm not denying it is correct)?

Hi Anon;
It is correct. The entire sentence should be this:

...translated from the Russian edition.

The word "edition" is understood, so is frequently left out.

Regards,
A-

s

Anonymous · Answer

Is it the same when you talk about something being translated into a language? For example, would you say 'so-and-so's work has been translated into Russian' or 'into the Russian'?

AlpheccaStars · Answer

In this case, we say "into Russian."
For example:

His speech was translated into German, Spanish, Italian and Russian.
Anee Frank's diary has been translated into many languages.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymoustranslated from the Russian

The use of the indicates a missing noun.

Compare:

Our chorus is performing a work by Beethoven and another by Mozart.
A friend of mine prefers the Beethoven, and I prefer the Mozart.

(the Beethoven work; the Mozart work, i.e., the work by Beethoven; the work by Mozart)

Hence, the Russian is "the (original) Russian text".

Cf. the former, the latter, the first, the last, the next, the best, the worst, ...

CJ

"Translated from the Russian"

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