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.
I recently stumbled on a translation page for the Mandarin used in Firefly, which was useful and interesting. It then occurred to me that a language reference would be equally useful to my own readers, so I decided to share the list I created to help write the book.
NOTE: I have since released an updated edition of Transient with a Russian Reference included. The book is now available for FREE at most major retailers!
Without further ado, here is the list I used to help write Transient and the Immortal Wake series. Not every phrase made the final cut, but all were mulled 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 : used as an 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 : used as an 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 : used as an exclamation)
Ty che blyad? (What the fuck?)
Udachi (Good luck)
Yobani vrot (Fucked in the mouth : used as an 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
