«Faust and Margarita by Goethe»: аn unknown translation under the monogram N.B

The paper deals with the translation of Goethe’s «Faust» which wasn’t brought into scientific use. The anonymous translator hid himself under the monogram N.B. Note is taken of the translator’s interest in the binary order, and in the binary models. Different kinds of repetitions express semantically similar lexemes, syntactically parallel constructions, musical and expiratory stresses. The graphic constituent of the name N.B. directs the reader towards contrasting a grapheme with a phoneme. Punctuation marks (or their absence) and typographical signs produce the impression of doubling. Sounds, morphemes, words, syntagmas, sentences (and more extensive parts of the text) are subjected to various iterations up to the semantic assimilation of concepts and symbols. N.B. assimilates a special feature of an «ideal» folk text - repetition. It has a sacral meaning and purpose. The translator’s «unlawful» assumptions refer to the language nature, they initiate semantic shifts. The translation creates an unusual combination of meanings. The editor’s corrections create a complementary series. It is more logical to include this translation in the context of alterations for the scene and libretto. They refer not only to the original, but also to its stage image. The li bretto grows from the lower culture, but appeals to the higher culture. In the libretto, apart from semantic peculiarities, it is important to consider the initial prosodic text impulse. It makes you feel the melodic symmetry.

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