TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

176 months ago

Jim Chadburn (a guest user) asked this question:

This question has already been answered and rated. Therefore, no new answers can be given.

176 months ago

frenchican   wrote:

Be handsome and shut up.

My comment:

In fact, when I lived in France where I was born, the saying was almost exclusively used in the feminine (sois belle et tais-toi!) which, in my French gentleman's estimation, represents a slap in the face to womanhood. I feel it was used by male chauvinist Frenchmen with an enormous ego problem.
The secondary question (mais suis-je beau?) was never ever used. In all honesty, I totally dislike this saying for its absolute "gaucherie"
coming from someone who appears to be a total boor, showing a great lack of self-esteem and self-confidence.

176 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

Be beautiful but shut up

My comment:

Title used in movie & DVDs

176 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

Do your good looks a favour and keep quiet

My comment:

:) why not!

176 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

'be a dear and shut up' or 'shut up...there's a dear'

My comment:

Clearly this is a very casual, familiar register in the French, so the same is required in English. With great respect to the other answerers, the answers they suggest are too literal and would not actually be SAID by an English speaker.... they simply translate the meaning of the French, not the register or the way in which it would actually be said by an anglophone in the context.

The asker rated this answer best

176 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

Be pretty and Shut up

My comment:

"language familier" that you would use to make somebody feel superficial and stupid

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

176 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

Agree

176 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

Be nice and keep quiet/don't talk to me about it.

My references:

Collins Robert