Andrew, I think Susan even has a poem on this question.
It's a problem: there's no perfect modern substitute. Ach has a foreign flavor, as does oy vey. Ah me is affected-sounding. Oh dear is too muted. Ack or argh--no. I think the translator is better off inventing or inserting something that gets across pain or dread, though it may take more than two syllables.
|