Funny enough, one of the most common questions I get about my tech noir novel Transient has nothing to do with the plot or characters. On a semi-regular basis, a reader will ask me “What does [some Russian phrase] mean?”
As a non-spoiler explanation, the sociopolitical environment of Transient involves the use of phonetic Russian for greetings and exclamations. You can think of it like the blended use of Mandarin in Firefly and Serenity.
When the novel got optioned for a feature film, readers started asking for a proper language reference. And so, I decided to share the list I created to help write the book (and the rest of the Immortal Wake series), which you can check out below.
NOTE: I have since released an updated edition of Transient with a Russian reference included. And, as a special thanks to all of my wonderful readers, the eBook is now available for FREE at all major retailers!
Without further ado, here is the list I created to help write the novels. Not every phrase made the cut, but all were considered at one point or another. Keep in mind that these are phonetic translations, as the Russian alphabet uses different characters.
In alphabetical order:
Ahueyet (WTF)
Blyat (Shit : exclamation)
Bolshoe spasibo (Thank you very much)
Bozhe moi (OMG)
Bychit (Behave like a bull)
Da (Yes)
Dasvidania (Good bye)
Dobry dyen (Good day)
Dobry vecher (Good evening)
Dobroye utro (Good morning)
Droog (Friend)
Harasho (I’m fine)
Hooy na ny (No fucking way)
Izvinite (Sorry)
Kak dyela? (How are you?)
Mudak (Asshole)
Neechevo srashnava (No harm)
Neeploha (Not so bad)
Nyet (No)
Nyezashta (That’s all right)
Ohooiet (Holy fuck)
Ooveedeemsya (See you)
Otva li (Fuck off)
Paka (Bye-bye : informal)
Pazhalusta (You’re welcome)
Pizdec (Shit : exclamation)
Prahsteetye (Sorry)
Privyet (Hi : informal)
Proschaite (Farewell)
Schasleevava pootee (Have a nice trip)
Shto? (What?)
Spakoyni nochi (Good night)
Spasibo (Thank you)
Suka blyat (Whore bitch : exclamation)
Ty che blyad? (What the fuck?)
Udachi (Good luck)
Yobani vrot (Fucked in the mouth : exclamation)
Za druzhbu (To friendship : a toast)
Za zdorovye (To health : a toast)
Zatknis (Shut up)
Zdrastvootie (Hello)
Read more:
The Long Fought Story of Transient
Transient 2.0: How a Fresh Edit Exposed a Hidden Writing Crutch
To The Horses! The Heartbreaking Reality Behind Doren’s Tragic Toast
