The text discusses the difficulty of translating romantic expressions from Russian to English, particularly in Vladimir Nabokov's "Eugene Onegin." The author highlights two specific nouns that capture the essence of romantic sentiment, yet do not have direct English equivalents. Terms such as 'mollitude' and 'dulcitude' convey a sense of softness and tender emotion, which are prevalent in Pushkin's work.

This presents a challenge for translators, who must balance fidelity to the original text with the nuances of emotion that Pushkin intends. The translator must be cautious not to exaggerate the sensuality implied in the original Russian, as Pushkin allows for a delicate interplay between physical desire and fanciful sentiment, which may not translate effectively into English.