Translation of Russian Constructivist poster

[snorlax]

This much-parodied (by Franz Ferdinand among others) poster by Rodchenko features a woman shouting and some text. Can anyone translate this or provide a bit of context please?

[Dr. Drake]

In the link, the woman is shouting "книги по всем отраслям знания," "Books in all branches of knowledge," or something like that. Is that the original, or a parody?

[Kyla]

What does "LENGIZ" mean?

[Hello Again]

Originally Posted by Kyla

What does "LENGIZ" mean?

I'm pretty sure this is the name of the publisher, the one the ad is for.

[snorlax]

Thanks guys. It's a bit more prosaic than I expected - thought it would be some revolutionary call to action rather than an ad for books. Funny how not knowing the language forces you to focus on the design.

It is the original - you can see the Franz Fendinand version here (scroll a bit).

[Dr. Drake]

Originally Posted by Kyla

What does "LENGIZ" mean?

That's not a Russian word per se. I'm guessing a compound or an acronym based on a word beginning in лен- (Len-) and another in гиз- (Giz-).

(searches online for a while)

Aha! It appears to be some form of Ленинградский государственный издательство (Leningradskij gosudarstvennij izdatjelstvo): Leningrad State Publishing House.

ETA: Of course it's a Russian word, by definition, but you know what I mean.

[Polycarp]

Dr Drake, in LC transcription like you used, is there some standard way to signify a soft sign on a non-final consonant, like the ль in издательство?

[Dr. Drake]

Originally Posted by Polycarp

Dr Drake, in LC transcription like you used, is there some standard way to signify a soft sign on a non-final consonant, like the ль in издательство?

I think they use ’ but I'm not certain.

[njtt]

Originally Posted by snorlax

Thanks guys. It's a bit more prosaic than I expected - thought it would be some revolutionary call to action rather than an ad for books. Funny how not knowing the language forces you to focus on the design.

It is the original - you can see the Franz Fendinand version here (scroll a bit).

Well, the original Russian poster looks much better than the Franz Fendinand cover, I must say.

[Anaptyxis]

Originally Posted by Dr. Drake

I think they use ’ but I'm not certain.

Just want to confirm that this is indeed correct. In strict transliteration, the single quotation mark (often a non-curly one) is used even in word-final position.

I see a couple of minor errors in your transliteration, Dr. Drake. It should be "Leningradskii gosudarstvennyi izdatel'stvo" in LC, or "Leningradskij gosudarstvennyj izdatel'stvo" in scholarly transliteration.

[Dr. Drake]

Originally Posted by Anaptyxis

Just want to confirm that this is indeed correct. In strict transliteration, the single quotation mark (often a non-curly one) is used even in word-final position.

I see a couple of minor errors in your transliteration, Dr. Drake. It should be "Leningradskii gosudarstvennyi izdatel'stvo" in LC, or "Leningradskij gosudarstvennyj izdatel'stvo" in scholarly transliteration.

Thanks. I was a little surprised to hear I was following the LC system -- I was just winging it so that those who didn't read Cyrillic could follow and see the Len-g-iz- in the phrase.

[Švejk]

Originally Posted by Anaptyxis

Just want to confirm that this is indeed correct. In strict transliteration, the single quotation mark (often a non-curly one) is used even in word-final position.

I see a couple of minor errors in your transliteration, Dr. Drake. It should be "Leningradskii gosudarstvennyi izdatel'stvo" in LC, or "Leningradskij gosudarstvennyj izdatel'stvo" in scholarly transliteration.

Also, since izdatel'stvo is neuter, both adjectives should end in -oye, not in -iy/-ii

[Dr. Drake]

Originally Posted by Švejk

Also, since izdatel'stvo is neuter, both adjectives should end in -oye, not in -iy/-ii

D'oh! You are quite right. I adjusted it from an example that was in the genitive case.

[Anaptyxis]

And I should have my degree revoked for missing that...

Totally correct now (I swear): Leningradskoe gosudarstvennoe izdatel'stvo

[Olentzero]

Originally Posted by Anaptyxis

And I should have my degree revoked for missing that...

Another Russian major? Where'd you study?