While I do agree that "hatred" is perhaps a bit strong (see my comments from earlier today), "contempt" has lost much of its former "punch," becoming associated more with a feeling rather than the actions that might be derived from it. "Despite/spite" sounds closer to "pogarda" than mere "contempt" to me, since those related words carry more of the sense of a desire for annihilation.
But this is about feeling. The action comes just because these people are between you and your glorious goals. And they are not worthy to care that they are destroyed in the process. In fact it's good they'll be destroyed as they don't deserve to live in that glorious future. And it won't be glorious if the unclean masses are there. And, anyway, they dared to think they are your equals so they need to be put in their place.
I just know there's this German word for this sort of feeling that's escaping me now. Sad that I think of using German when describing words of derision, despite, disgust, and hate
This sort of escalation that starts with contempt and ends with annihilation (or at least attempt at annihilation). Until violence starts you just ignore the existence those you feel contempt for. But when violence starts there is nothing to stop even the most abominable atrocities as they are not worth any regard. It starts small but can lead to horrible things. This is the lesson we should've learned after 20th century and somehow it still escapes too many people.
True, plus I think the way Sapkowski treats this issue is another reason why I'm coming to like this series so.
I always thought spite/despite means doing something opposite then someone else wants just to hurt them. Just being petty and mean. But it also, sort of, implies caring about what that other person wants or thinks and with contempt they too beneath you for you too care. I also associate the term with a childish behaviour. I'm not sure if that's appropriate either.
If only it were "childish," but alas it's not. It's just a teeny-tiny step away from active hate-filled violence.
Of course, in Spanish, "odio" carries the sense of odiousness, which also fits with what happens in that scene I quoted yesterday
I don't have the books with me and I don't know Spanish so I don't know which scene exactly you mean 
The one at the very end of the book, with Ciri and the "rodents"
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie
Je suis méchant.
Je suis méchant.
Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio
- 27/11/2010 03:24:22 AM
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Bizarre that you would go to a Spanish translation (A translation note)
- 27/11/2010 04:05:28 PM
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(A translation note)
- 27/11/2010 04:05:28 PM
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Not really, when that's the only complete translation available in a language I read
- 27/11/2010 06:54:18 PM
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- 27/11/2010 06:54:18 PM
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It's an interesting discussion about that title... "disdain" is indeed somewhat weak.
- 27/11/2010 06:35:14 PM
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When I have time later tonight, I'll translate the relevant passage near the end of the book
- 27/11/2010 06:57:23 PM
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Re: Andrzej Sapkowski, Times of Disdain/Tiempo del odio
- 27/11/2010 09:37:07 PM
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The main reason why I lean toward "hatred" is later on
- 27/11/2010 09:43:43 PM
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Yeah, there may be a slight difference between Czech and English meaning of the word
- 28/11/2010 10:49:23 AM
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Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post
- 28/11/2010 02:35:38 AM
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Hm. I'd actually say it makes me more inclined to think "contempt" is right after all.
- 28/11/2010 10:50:09 AM
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I didn't quote what happened immediately afterward, as that is a major spoiler
- 28/11/2010 07:16:39 PM
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*NM*
Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post
- 28/11/2010 11:03:18 AM
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Re: Now for that passage near the end of the book I said I'd post
- 29/11/2010 01:12:58 AM
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- 29/11/2010 04:53:12 AM
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- 29/11/2010 04:53:12 AM
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I find it funny that all the discussion in the thread is about the best translation of the title.
- 28/11/2010 10:17:44 PM
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Time of Contempt is closest to original meaning
- 28/11/2010 11:42:56 PM
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Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations
- 28/11/2010 11:55:16 PM
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Re: Perhaps, but there's been a weakening of "contempt" in English over the past few generations
- 29/11/2010 12:47:12 AM
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True, to a large extent at least
- 29/11/2010 04:57:00 AM
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You made me want to go and reread this again
- 29/11/2010 12:07:46 AM
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I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
- 29/11/2010 12:32:23 AM
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Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
- 29/11/2010 01:05:30 AM
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Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
- 29/11/2010 05:02:48 AM
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Re: I'm in the midst of re-reading The Tower of the Swallow
- 29/11/2010 04:39:02 PM
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Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us
- 29/11/2010 11:37:22 PM
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- 29/11/2010 11:37:22 PM
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Re: Still, seeing as many as six consonants together can be intimidating for some of us
- 30/11/2010 02:27:03 AM
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- 30/11/2010 02:27:03 AM
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I refuse to give the Germans credit when it comes to language and grammar issues!
- 30/11/2010 03:04:30 AM
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- 30/11/2010 03:04:30 AM
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I don't see why; except maybe page long nouns
- 30/11/2010 04:22:37 PM
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- 30/11/2010 04:22:37 PM
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I dunno, some people dig saying "Machtübernahme" and "Größerdeutschland"
- 30/11/2010 05:53:43 PM
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- 30/11/2010 05:53:43 PM
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