TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

142 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.

141 months ago

   wrote:

incredible lack of appropriateness

142 months ago

   wrote:

his incredible lack of talent for repartee

142 months ago

   wrote:

His incredible lack of timeliness

My comment:

A-propos refers to the quality of people who do not go off the point and react with a good timing, in the right circumstances. Besides, the word matches the Swiss context.

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

142 months ago

   wrote:

I think maybe the word lack is not the most appropriate as "déficit" suggests he compares himself with the Swiss people he met. On second thought I suggest : "laughing inwardly at himself considering he was incredibly way behind them (those Swiss guys) as regards timeliness.

142 months ago

   wrote:

unbelievable/incredible lack of insght

My comment:

it is like saying-how stupid of me; how stupid could I have been! What a fool I was

The asker rated this answer best

142 months ago

Josephine Cassar   wrote:

unbelievable/incredible lack of insght

My comment:

it is like saying-how stupid of me; how stupid could I have been! What a fool I was

The asker rated this answer best

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

lack of presence of mind

My comment:

I saw "présence d'esprit" in the Larousse dictionary...

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

Another thought... "His being incredibly slow-witted"? I am not sure if my grammar is correct, but it might lead you to your answer...

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

Incredible lack of mental agility

My comment:

that's what came to my mind, or "thinking on his feet". I may think of something else later

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

I was thinking it was a "mental lapse", or some such thing.

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

except that "mental lapse" sounds like a one time occurrence, not a permanent trait.

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

Thanks for bringing that up, Claude. I'll have to determine when I go back through the passage in question if this is an enduring trait or a one-time occurrence.

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

For once, I don't agree with you on the translation. A-propos refers to the quality of people who go straight to the point and who react with a good timing (tit for tat) and in the right cicumstances. I suggest, especially given the Swiss context: his incredible lack of timeliness

142 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

except that "mental lapse" sounds like a one time occurrence, not a permanent trait.

142 months ago

Claude Le Frapper   wrote:

Incredible lack of mental agility

My comment:

that's what came to my mind, or "thinking on his feet". I may think of something else later