This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Russian to English
  3. Medical (general)

со знаком минус

21:13 Oct 31, 2009
This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

Russian to English translations [PRO]
Medical - Medical (general)
Russian term or phrase: со знаком минус
То, что СПИД - это опухоль со знаком минус пока не имеет экспериментального подтверждения.

The best I've been able to come up with is "cancer on steroids," but that just seems so wrong on many levels. Anybody have a better suggestion?
James McVay
United States
Local time: 05:50


Summary of answers provided
3 +2is a phenomenon opposite to cancer
Maksym Nevzorov
3 +1something worse than a malignant growth
Andrew Vdovin
3a malignant (x)
Mikhail Kropotov
3 -1a negative tumor
Michael Korovkin


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
a malignant (x)


Explanation:
#

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2009-10-31 21:18:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I'm not entirely sure I understand this usage, but sometimes it means the opposite of something.

Mikhail Kropotov
Germany
Local time: 11:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Russian
PRO pts in category: 36
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
is a phenomenon opposite to cancer


Explanation:


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2009-10-31 21:23:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I guess they're discussing some weird theory that AIDS has some features opposite to the features of cancer (malignant tumour). This is merely a guess on my side; more context could help.

Just to support my idea, here are some occurrences of "со знаком минус":

1 авг 2009 ... "ненависть это любовь со знаком минус" Дневник -фрэнк ненавижу сутками не выходить из дома. ненавижу когда спрашивают где я гуляю. ненавижу ...
www.liveinternet.ru/.../post107587767/

RELP. Организованная преступность - государство со знаком минус /
www.law.edu.ru/.../article.asp?...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2009-11-01 00:38:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

By the way, why don't you use direct translation? It might convey just the same meaning as the Russian source: "with the minus sign".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2009-11-01 01:44:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

> Asker: I would, but "cancer with a minus sign" doesn't communicate anything meaningful in English.

"Опухоль со знаком минус" doesn't really "communicate anything meaningful" in Russian as well, so direct translation pretty much conveys the idea :)

Maksym Nevzorov
Ukraine
Local time: 12:50
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 770
Notes to answerer
Asker: I would, but "cancer with a minus sign" doesn't communicate anything meaningful in English.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alexander Onishko
1 hr
  -> Thanks.
neutral  Michael Korovkin: "opposite to cancer"? blossoming of regular tissue? or shrinking? Opposite to a trip to the theatre – what would that be? You're right:more context needed
11 hrs
agree  Marina Aleyeva: Maybe the point being made here is that the processes behind the decreasing numbers of CD4+ cells in AIDS are based on the same mechanisms as those leading to tumor growth, but are opposite in effect.
16 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
something worse than a malignant growth


Explanation:
The way I see it.

Andrew Vdovin
Local time: 16:50
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Natalie
3 hrs
  -> Thank you Natalie!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
a negative tumor


Explanation:
Whatever it means... A nonsense is difficult to translate as sense, so one has to remain on the safe side of vagueness.
But the opposite to a tumor, as I wrote to Maxim, is like the opposite to going to the theatre... :) What would THAT be?
And finally, I don't see any "cancer" there. They say "tumor".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 16 hrs (2009-11-01 14:11:40 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I think I got it for you... thanks to your comment about the author saying AIDS is a cancer (which, by the way, isn't really correct, but never mind – none of our business). Then you should translate it as AIDS is a non-tumor/non-tumoral. In other words – one of those non-tumoral neoplasms, like leucemia. (I'm putting it into the discussion – for colleagues)

Michael Korovkin
Italy
Local time: 11:50
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 43
Notes to answerer
Asker: Remember, the author is saying AIDS is cancer. No tumor is being discussed.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Natalie: Сорри, но руководствоваться девизом "whatever it means" - не лучший способ переводить... Что такое "negative tumor"?
1 hr
  -> а то же самое, что “опухоль со знаком минус“.... whatever it means! Have a nice day... whatever it means to you :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search