TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

150 months ago

Barbara Cochran (a guest user) asked this question:

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

150 months ago

   wrote:

to be awkward/difficult/unhelpful

150 months ago

Amanda Haste PhD, DipTrans(IoLET), MCIL, CL   wrote:

to have a tantrum/to play up

My comment:

...there are also a couple of very colloquial terms (in GB English) such as 'throw a wobbly' or 'go off on one'. However, my first thought when I think of 'faire des caprices' is always 'to have [or throw] a tantrum'. Or maybe that's what comes of having small children about the place?!

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

150 months ago

   wrote:

Yes, "to have a tantrum" is what I found in my Internet search, but I don't think that that expression is right on the mark, given that what is happening is that his hands are shaking (they think he's doing it on purpose, but he's not). But to not stray too far away from the idea of a tantrum, I am now thinking about translating the phrase as "acting up".

150 months ago

Amanda Haste PhD, DipTrans(IoLET), MCIL, CL   wrote:

That seems reasonable.

The asker rated this answer best

150 months ago

Robert Tucker   wrote:

let your nerves get the better of you

150 months ago

Hazilein   wrote:

his hands develop a will and life of their own

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

This does not fit the context and IMO is an over-translation.

150 months ago

Hazilein   wrote:

fool around/start messing

My comment:

JLR's comment is correct. These are just alternatives.

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

Mais bien sûre. faire des caprices se dit également comme ça, Anamaria. :) Messing about ou around. :)

150 months ago

Hazilein   wrote:

acting silly

My comment:

Ecoute, ce n'est pas le temps de faire des caprices.

Listen, now's not the right time for acting silly.

For a French speaker who has been around kids, that is a very usual expression. One hears it in spoken French all the time.

Faire des caprices: said to kids, to act silly, to do silly or stupid things, to do whatever comes into your heads.

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

All things considered, I think your translation misses the point to a certain extent. I believe the most accurate translation of the phrase, in this context, came to mind right after I entered the question. Let's see if anyone else agrees with what would seem to be the actual meaning.

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

Of course this is correct. Many examples on-line. There are alternatives, but it is up to the translator to choose the most appropriate term - ça, c'est l'art du traducteur.

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

Il me semble que pour les trucs qu'on entend partout, si on parle français et on est quand même de langue maternelle anglaise, on sait quand même de quoi on parle. Il y a plusieurs façon de dire faire des caprices en anglais et je ne donne que deux façons de traduire cet expression très courante. Je suis toujours très surprise d'entendre le genre de commentaire qu'on me fait ici. Que la traduction n'est pas précise. Oh la la! Il est certain que l'internet n'heberge pas "tout ce qui pourrait se dire dans une langue".

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

Je suis d'accord avec toi, Jenni-fer. :)

150 months ago

MACVieira   wrote:

I believe that "acting silly" would be more appropriate, bearing in mind you are addressing kids.

150 months ago

MACVieira   wrote:

No, not really. The men who ar taking him away ar "strong-arm" types, they mean business, so I don't think they would use a mere fluff term like "silly".

150 months ago

Jennifer White   wrote:

Les mots me manquent...........