высокие заявления

18:13 Oct 19, 2011 

One thing we can all agree on: it is definitely a poor use of language.

18:09 Oct 19, 2011 

.... that I thought of since my last post. If I myself wanted to say something like lofty or empty or haughty or anything else to do with the statement's style, then, in the text above, I would use "высокопарные" rather than "высокие".

Not saying the author would do the same but, if he used "высокие" in that sense in this context, it sure grates on my ear at least.

10:57 Oct 19, 2011 

indicates the level at which these statements are made. Though I like Andrew's suggestion and I do think that Lukashenko's promises are nothing but "lofty pronouncements", I don't believe Andrew's translation renders the meaning of the source correctly.

17:21 Oct 18, 2011 

P.S. Please excuse any typos btw, I'm entering this from a tablet at the moment which unfortunately lacks any usable spell checker. Have to rely on my eyes only.

17:18 Oct 18, 2011 

In this setting I think "несмотря" is used in the sence of "regardless" or "irrespective of" rather than "despite" meaning that it's not so much contrary to the statements as the fact that the statements are irrelevant, knowingly false and hollow.

17:07 Oct 18, 2011 

I'm really enjoying this discussion, and as the presenter of the different image, let me indicate that when I visualize President Lukashenko (who has a reputation among some places such as the USA as some sort of wheeler-dealer), with conjoined mention of profiteering on the idea of a union, is it not possible that it is HE (and not Russia) talking about a monetary union, hence the phrase "DESPITE whatever [objects under discussion], things remain nebulous"? I am thinking of the psychological setting here. Perhaps a native of Russia can confirm whether the Russian government is even talking about this topic, or just Lukashenko's people.

16:44 Oct 18, 2011 

Looking at the answers so far, it's clear that the issue we have here isn't so much translation as the original meaning (no wonder Deborah was confused :-)

The answers so far fall into two clear-cut categories:

1. Mine (supported by Erika) and Maxim's
This group believes that the text means the source of the statement, the high places it's coming from.

2. The other group clearly believes it's the style of the statement at issue here. Something like suggested "lofty" although I myseof would use "haughty" if that's the case.

Now the question becomes - which one is it? I obviously think mine :-) but I can see how the other could be correct too.

Hmm, any comments?