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Wednesday, June 25, 2003 Traduction et Language It's funny how some things seem totally normal in English but in translation present a slightly different picture, one you've never seen before. Familiarity breeds incognizance and languages are expressions of the ways different cultures percieve the world. Take the name Michaelangelo, for instance. The French translate his name as "Michel-Ange," literally Michael Angel. Bet you never thought about that in English. Another phrase that caught me off-guard was "nature morte," literally "dead nature," but the English translation is "still life." What our language sees as capturing a still, a photograph of vibrant life, in French carries the idea of death. It's also scary how words can have connotations you don't intend or how a language can have gaps. Apparently, Parisians never use the French word for cheap; instead they say, "Ce n'est pas cher," or "It's not expensive." In light of the last entry I can see how this developed. Also, the actual verb for "to kiss" is vulgar and carries the connotation of having sex. The French instead use "embrasser," which can mean anything from hugging to kissing, and as far as I can tell there isn't another word for embracing or hugging, at least not one that's normally used. And never say, "Je suis excitée," unless you want people to think you're excited in a sexual way. Yikes. Ah, the things you never learn in French class. ^ Top | 5:15 AM | | | 
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