Translation topics

Hi everybody.


Today I'd like to bring up an interesting topic on translating. The temptation for many people is to translate directly, which can be problematic when trying to progress with your chosen langauge.


Here's an example of a Spanish to English direct translation;

"de par en par" ≠ two by two, pair by pair


"de par en par" = wide open.

La ventana está abierta de par en par. No me extraña que tengas frío.

The window is wide open. I'm not surprised you're cold.


Here's an example of an English to Spanish direct translation;

"the day after tomorrow" ≠ el día después de mañana.


"the day after tomorrow" = pasado mañana.

My girlfriend gets here the day after tomorrow! I haven't seen her in months.

¡Mi novia llega pasado mañana! Llevo meses sin verla.


Elsewhere we find quirky ways of understanding a culture by the way that culture translates. Here we have an interesting example from Mandarin Chinese:

"the day after tomorrow" = 后天 (hòutiān)

"the day before yesterday" = 前天 (qiántiān)


Now let's look at the same translation in both Spanish and Italian;


"the day before yesterday" = anteayer

I scheduled an interview with the company's CEO the day before yesterday.

Programé una entrevista con el director general de la empresa anteayer.


"the day before yesterday" = l'altro ieri

Gliel'avevo prestato l'altro ieri.

I loaned it to him the day before yesterday.


_________________________________________________________________________


Thanks!

感谢。

Gracias.

Grazie.






16. November 2018
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Frankie

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I am a person who is passionate about teaching and learning new languages. Because I have gone through the process of learning new languages while travelling, I now have knowledge of the techniques and capabilities required to master a language. One of my favourite aspects of language teaching is cultural cross referencing, having studied European languages and experienced the transition from being a beginner to being an advanced speaker in both Spanish and Italian. I am presently taking on the challenge of learning Mandarin Chinese. I will help students with the following aspect of English language acquisition: English for everyday use. English comprehension & grammar. Colloquial and slang. Business English. English for Test Preparation. English to help give the best interview possible. English for when travelling the world. English for living and/or working abroad.
Flag
Englisch
globe
Irland
time
10
Spricht:
Englisch
Muttersprachler
,
Italienisch
C1
,
Spanisch
C1
,
Mandarin
B1
,
Portugiesisch
B1
,
Irisch-Gälisch
A1
,
Finnisch
,
Thailändisch
I am a person who is passionate about teaching and learning new languages. Because I have gone through the process of learning new languages while travelling, I now have knowledge of the techniques and capabilities required to master a language. One of my favourite aspects of language teaching is cultural cross referencing, having studied European languages and experienced the transition from being a beginner to being an advanced speaker in both Spanish and Italian. I am presently taking on the challenge of learning Mandarin Chinese. I will help students with the following aspect of English language acquisition: English for everyday use. English comprehension & grammar. Colloquial and slang. Business English. English for Test Preparation. English to help give the best interview possible. English for when travelling the world. English for living and/or working abroad.
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