Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mimetism'

English Word: mimetism

Key Russian Translations:

• мимезис /mɪˈme.zɪs/ - [Formal, Technical]
• имитация /ɪ.mʲɪˈta.tsɨ.jə/ - [Informal, General]

Frequency: Low (Primarily used in academic or scientific contexts; not common in everyday conversation.)

Difficulty: C1 (Advanced level, as it involves understanding specialized vocabulary and nuances in Russian, especially for имитация which can vary slightly in formality.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мимезис: /mɪˈme.zɪs/ (The stress is on the second syllable; note the soft 'з' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers.)

Note on миmezис: This word retains its Greek origin in Russian pronunciation, so the 'e' is pronounced like in "met". Avoid overemphasizing the final 's'.

имитация: /ɪ.mʲɪˈta.tsɨ.jə/ (Stress on the third syllable; the 'й' softens the preceding vowel.)

Note on имитация: Be aware of palatalization in the 'т' before 'ц', which is a common feature in Russian but may feel unnatural to English learners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Imitation or mimicry in a biological or evolutionary context (e.g., animal mimicry for survival).

Translation(s) & Context:

• мимезис - Used in scientific discussions, such as in biology, to describe protective mimicry in nature.
• имитация - Applied in everyday contexts, like animal behavior, but less formally than миmезис.

Usage Examples:

• В природе бабочки часто используют миmезис, чтобы походить на ядовитых насекомых.

  In nature, butterflies often use mimesis to resemble poisonous insects.

• Эта имитация окраски помогает животным избежать хищников в дикой среде.

  This imitation of coloration helps animals avoid predators in the wild.

• Учёные изучают миmезис как эволюционный механизм выживания.

  Scientists study mimesis as an evolutionary mechanism for survival.

• В фильме показано, как животные прибегают к имитации для защиты от врагов.

  In the film, it is shown how animals resort to imitation for protection from enemies.

• Пример миmезисa в экологии: некоторые змеи копируют цвета других видов.

  An example of mimesis in ecology: some snakes copy the colors of other species.

Meaning 2: Imitation in art, literature, or cultural contexts (e.g., artistic representation or copying).

Translation(s) & Context:

• миmезис - Common in philosophical or artistic discussions, drawing from Aristotle's concept.
• имитация - Used for everyday artistic imitation, like in theater or painting.

Usage Examples:

• В литературе миmезис позволяет авторам копировать реальность для создания реализма.

  In literature, mimesis allows authors to copy reality to create realism.

• Художник использовал имитацию стилей старых мастеров в своей работе.

  The artist used imitation of old masters' styles in his work.

• Театральный миmезис помогает актёрам передавать эмоции зрителям.

  Theatrical mimesis helps actors convey emotions to the audience.

• Эта картина — пример имитации импрессионизма в современном искусстве.

  This painting is an example of impressionism imitation in modern art.

• Философы обсуждают миmезис как основу эстетического опыта.

  Philosophers discuss mimesis as the basis of aesthetic experience.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both translations are nouns. "Мимезис" is a masculine noun and follows standard Russian inflection patterns with some irregularities due to its foreign origin. "Имитация" is a feminine noun and inflects regularly.

Note: "Мимезис" is often used in singular form and does not change as frequently as native Russian words.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Копирование (kopirovaniye) - Direct copying, often used interchangeably with имитация in casual contexts.
  • Подражание (podrazhaniye) - Mimicry with a connotation of learning or emulation.
• Antonyms:
  • Оригинальность (original'nost') - Originality, emphasizing uniqueness over imitation.
  • Автентичность (avtentičnost') - Authenticity, contrasting with any form of mimicry.

Related Phrases:

• Имитация жизни (Imitatsiya zhizni) - Imitation of life; a phrase used in art or psychology to describe realistic representations.
• Мимезис в искусстве (Mimēzis v iskusstve) - Mimesis in art; commonly discussed in cultural critiques.
• Защитная имитация (Zashchitnaya imitatsiya) - Protective imitation; refers to survival strategies in biology.

Usage Notes:

Use "миmезис" for more formal, academic contexts, as it directly aligns with the English "mimetism" in philosophical or biological discussions. "Имитация" is more versatile and can be used in everyday language, but be cautious of its broader connotations. In Russian, these words often require specific prepositions, e.g., "в миmезисе" (in mimesis). Choose based on context: миmезис for theoretical precision and имитация for practical applications.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "миmезис" with "имитация" and using them interchangeably without context. Incorrect: "Это имитация в биологии" (when a more precise term is needed). Correct: "Это миmезис в биологии". Explanation: "Мимезис" is specific to evolutionary or artistic theory, while "имитация" is general; misuse can lead to vagueness in scientific writing.

• Error: Mispronouncing the stress in "имитация", placing it on the wrong syllable. Incorrect: /ɪˈmʲɪ.ta.tsɨ.jə/ (wrong stress). Correct: /ɪ.mʲɪˈta.tsɨ.jə/. Explanation: Russian stress patterns are crucial for clarity; incorrect stress can alter perceived meaning or sound unnatural.

Cultural Notes:

"Мимезис" originates from Greek philosophy, particularly Aristotle, and has been adopted in Russian culture through literature and art criticism. In Russia, it often appears in discussions of realism in 19th-century literature, like Tolstoy's works, symbolizing the imitation of life as a path to truth, reflecting a cultural emphasis on depth and authenticity in creative expression.

Related Concepts:

• Эволюция (evolyutsiya)
• Реализм (realizm)
• Подражание (podrazhaniye)