An assignation

[kingston_123]

Vronsky told by his own brother Sasha:

Sasha: Getting married puts the pack on your back. It leaves your hands free for climbing the ladder. Getting serious about a married woman is like carrying your pack in your arms.
Vronsky: So, they talk about me. I'm leaving, Sasha.
Sasha: An assignation?

What is "An assignation?" Does it mean Sasha asking Vronsky whether Vronsky leaving for an assignation?

Source: Anna Karenina 2012

 

[SoothingDave]

What does the dictionary say "assignation" means? Does it make sense in this context?

 

[Raymott]

You're trying Anna Karenina already? Keep in mind that you're reading an English translation of Russian novel written in the 1870s. Though, it seems you have a 2012 translation (?), so that might make it more easily understandable.

 

[kingston_123]

Source is here.

It is a movie not book or novel.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Though the book is long, it's not hard reading. Leo wrote them to be read, and his translators have understood that.

I've run into English learners attempting writers like William Shakespeare and Thomas Pynchon. Good luck! Tolstoy isn't nearly as challenging.

Kingston: Yes, if you haven't looked up the word, do so. It should make sense. If it doesn't, let us know.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Source is here.

It is a movie not book or novel.

Corrections:

1. A novel is a book.
2. Anna Karenina is a novel.

Though the book is long, it's not hard reading. Leo wrote them to be read, and his translators have understood that.

I've run into English learners attempting writers like William Shakespeare and Thomas Pynchon. Good luck! Tolstoy isn't nearly as challenging.

So: Yes, if you haven't looked up assignation, do so. It's an old-fashioned word, but it's a great word.

If the dialog still doesn't make sense, let us know.

And by the way - what was Vronsky's answer? Is he in love or just fooling around?

 

[SoothingDave]

Is this word common in BrE? Cause I had to look it up. Never seen it used. I thought it was a weird way of saying someone was put on an assignment.

 

[emsr2d2]

It's used in BrE but usually only in one specific context. I'll give more information once Kingston has shown that he/she has looked the word up in a dictionary to work out what it means in post #1.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is this word common in BrE? Cause I had to look it up. Never seen it used. I thought it was a weird way of saying someone was put on an assignment.

It's used in the US, but it's old-fashioned - like tryst and rendezvous.

What happens in the dacha stays in the dacha.

 

[SoothingDave]

"Tryst" and "rendezvous" I know.

 

[kingston_123]

Is this word common in BrE? Cause I had to look it up. Never seen it used. I thought it was a weird way of saying someone was put on an assignment.

It is an assignation not assignment, both aren't same.

 

[Rover_KE]

It is an assignation, not assignment. [STRIKE]both[/STRIKE] They aren't the same.

`

 

[kingston_123]

why comma is needed before "not"?

 

[Tarheel]

Why is a comma needed before "not"?

It's probably not a complete explanation, but in speech there would be a pause where the comma is. (Also, say: "It's assignation, not assignment.")

 

[kingston_123]

It's probably not a complete explanation

Are you saying it is impossible to explain?

 

[Tarheel]

No, I'm not. In fact, I gave an explanation.

 

[kingston_123]

No, I'm not. In fact, I gave an explanation.

Is "in fact" really needed?

 

[Tarheel]

The words "in fact" might be seen as a substitute for something longer (perhaps less polite). They also might be seen as a sort of a "bridge" between one sentence and another. As for your question, yes. I think it is needed there.

 

[SoothingDave]

It is an assignation not assignment, both aren't same.

I said I looked it up. You can assume that I understood the meaning once I did so.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

"Tryst" and "rendezvous" I know.

Yup! I do, too. I think of them as old-fashioned.