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один смотрит на вас, другой – на Арзамас

English translation: the left hand doesn't know what the right one is doing

15:09 Jun 7, 2016
Russian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Russian term or phrase: один смотрит на вас, другой – на Арзамас
Казахстану, несмотря на повседневную несмолкаемую барабанную дробь, еще предстоит стать Казахстаном.
Не след самообманом утешать себя. Тут могучей воли его многолетнего лидера, думаю, недостаточно, нужна добрая воля и созидательная мощь всех казахстанцев. Идея должна овладевать массой. Этого пока не происходит.
Вожделенное единство еще очень далеко от идеала. Как говорится, ***один смотрит на вас, другой – на Арзамас***.
Один, накарабчив три воза дерьма, нацелился за кордон, другой копошится в подворье заброшенного аула. Один прыгает от сытости, другой от холода.
Simon Hollingsworth
United Kingdom
Local time: 04:01
English translation:the left hand doesn't know what the right one is doing
Explanation:
or something to the same tune. The original saying is about crossed eyes, each looking in its own direction, but in this context it's merely about the unity that's not a real unity.
Selected response from:

Anton Konashenok
Czech Republic
Local time: 05:01
Grading comment
Many thanks, Anton. I like Sofia's suggestion, too, and I will run it by the author as well
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2With one eye on the pot and the other up the chimney
Sofia Gutkin
3 +1the left hand doesn't know what the right one is doing
Anton Konashenok
4slanted eyes looking every which way
Maria Zheglova (X)


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
the left hand doesn't know what the right one is doing


Explanation:
or something to the same tune. The original saying is about crossed eyes, each looking in its own direction, but in this context it's merely about the unity that's not a real unity.

Anton Konashenok
Czech Republic
Local time: 05:01
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Many thanks, Anton. I like Sofia's suggestion, too, and I will run it by the author as well
Notes to answerer
Asker: Many thanks, Anton


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sofia Gutkin: You got the meaning exactly.
5 hrs
  -> Thank you, Sofia
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
slanted eyes looking every which way


Explanation:
Идиома "один смотрит на вас, другой – на Арзамас" указывает на наличие раскосых глаз у того, к кому она применена (в данном случае - к казахам). Также в отрывке говорится о разрозненности нации в целом. Объединяя эти смыслы, считаю, что нужно оставить указание на разрез глаз (slanted или squinted eyes) и добавить мысль о том, что "глядят как попало" (looking every which way).


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Note added at 3 час (2016-06-07 18:43:18 GMT)
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Idiom "один смотрит на вас, другой – на Арзамас" indicates the slanting eyes that the one to which it is applied (in this case - to Kazakhs). Also this passage refers to the disunity of the nation. Combining these meanings, I think you need to leave an indication of the shape of the eyes (slanted or squinted eyes) and add the idea that they are "look in different directions"(looking every which way).


    Reference: http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/dic_synonims/101854/%D0%BE%D0...
Maria Zheglova (X)
Russian Federation
Local time: 06:01
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Sofia Gutkin: I have no idea why you assumed the eyes are slanted. Just because the text is about people from Kazakhstan doesn't mean the author is trying to describe their race.
2 hrs
neutral  The Misha: This would be spot on indeed, but you just can't use it, period. In the US, this would be considered downright offensive. Everyone is a precious flower these days, it seems.
6 hrs
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
With one eye on the pot and the other up the chimney


Explanation:
A line from a folksong about a 'cockeyed cook'. Seems to fit quite well here :)


    Reference: http://folksongcollector.com/drummer.html
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_and_Left
Sofia Gutkin
Australia
Local time: 13:01
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  The Misha: This is very good, and the cultural references seem to be right where one would want them for the purpose. Great way out.
3 hrs
  -> Thank you! I was rather pleased when I found it.
agree  Oleksiy Markunin
5 hrs
  -> Thank you!
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