TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

141 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

Marie-Claire   wrote:

original upheaval

My comment:

Claude's answer is probably better. That's my two cents worth for now.

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

the rocks bore the marks of the primal forces that had shaped the coastline

My comment:

(i.e. geological upheavals that took place millions of years ago)

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

PRIMEVAL not primal - sorry

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

I guess that you never heard of the original sin, or would it be primeval sin? :-)

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

Yes, but that's a different and very specific context. English "original" has a different collocation set from "originel". Original tends to mean "initial" (the original version etc), whereas "originel" means "des origines" and is better translated by "ancient", "primal" or "primeval" in many cases, such as this one.

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

Due to the wide divergence of opinion about how the phrase should be translated, I contacted the author and she said it refers to the irregular, "damaged" (she used the word "accidenté") coastline, from which I take it to mean when it was initially eroded.

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

accidenté doesn't mean damaged, it means deeply indented or jagged. That's why I referred to the primeval forces that once shaped the coastline. In the light of this comment I suggest "the rocks bore the marks of the primeval forces that had once shaped the jagged coastline.

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

Thank You, martynback.

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

I guess that you never heard of the original sin, or would it be primeval sin? :-)

The asker rated this answer best

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

original torment

My comment:

to keep with the would be poetic register

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

I failed to mention that I think the writer is talking about Homer's "Iliad", in this instance.

141 months ago

martynback   wrote:

...but "originel" doesn't mean "original" it means "primeval"

141 months ago

Marie-Claire   wrote:

Yes... keep the mixed metaphor in all its glory. I think pseudo-poetic is good. Seriously, we have to respect the author's lyrical attempt with the moral undertone and the geological upheaval. If we use geological terms in this context, it will destroy the so-called mood. This place is supposed to be tragic or something.

141 months ago

Claude Le Frapper   wrote:

original torment

My comment:

to keep with the would be poetic register