“Krupneyshaya katastrofa” translation

Subject: “Krupneyshaya katastrofa” translation
Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2014
From: Serge Markov <semar1@comcast.net>

On the matter of Putin’s 2005 characterization of the fall of the Soviet Union, any educated native Russian speaker will tell you that krupneyshaya katastrofa can be rendered either as “a major” or as “the greatest catastrophe” depending on context. Methinks the context of Putin’s address favors “a major” which is also happens to be the official translation (http://eng.kremlin.ru/transcripts/7863).

The whole controversy strikes me as a little bit silly. What leaders do matters more than what they say, and Putin, whose words are often reasonable, even lofty, is certainly no exception.

Best,
Serge Markov
Former editor in the Voice of America Russian Service
(Not to be confused with Kremlin apologist and no relation of mine, Sergey Markov)