C48AN37TRA LICENCE LEA 2008-2009 TRADUCTION VERS L

C48AN37TRA LICENCE LEA 2008-2009
TRADUCTION VERS L’ ANGLAIS PREMIER COURS
Translations which appeared in the Air France Magazine
I.
1. Hong Kong, observatoire d'oiseaux.
Hong Kong is a haven for migratory birds.
- it would also be possible to say : Hong Kong is a (veritable) observatory
for birds. It is significant though that the translator has supplied a verb. Migratory
is information which the translator gleaned from the rest of the text.
2. Kadoorie Farm, un parc semi-sauvage
Kadoorie Farm is a semi-wild reserve.
- once again, the translator has supplied a verb. Semi-wild is not very
convincing.
3. Combattre la pollution, une priorité.
Combatting pollution is a priority.
- yet again, a verb is inserted. Combatting is used rather than fighting. As
often, when English has the choice between a Germanic word (such as fight) and
a Latin-based one (such as combat, which comes from French), the former is used
in concrete situations (a street fight, a dog fight) whereas the latter is used in abstract
contexts (e.g. for pollution)
4. Une biodiversité due à la mousson.
The monsoons create a rich biodiversity.
- the author has supplied a verb, and “enriched” the text. Note the use of the plural to
give an idea of generality.
5. Dans les forêts, plus de deux mille espèces végétales et des arbres séculaires, plantés selon
les règles du Fengshui, géomancie chinoise.
More than 2,000 plant species and centuries-old trees grow in accordance to the
rules of feng shui.
- century-old trees is more common English usage, as century is being
used as a sort of adjective, and thus not put in the plural. This rule is not being
observed so strictly these days. Not e that la géomancie chinoise has disappeared
completely, possibly as it is explained in the paragraph which follows. Note that a
verb (grow) has been supplied.
6. « Eau et montagne », en chinois Shan Shui, mots qui illustrent parfaitement la réserve d’eau
naturelle de Shing Mun, que contourne la piste de MacLehose.
Shan Shui, Chinese for ‘water and mountain’, is a perfect description of the Shing
Mun natural water reserve that runs along the MacLehose Trail.
- the beginning of this sentence flows very well, but the translator has struck
a difficulty with que contourne la piste de MacLehose. It is not the reserve which goes around
the track, but the other way around. The translator seems to have misinterpreted the French
(not seen that que is an object). The end should therefore read : … that the MacLehose Trail
goes around.
7. C'est en flânant que l'on découvre la ville.
Strolling around the city is the best was to discover it.
- strolling is the best way to discover the city is also a good translation.
8. On l’appelait autrefois « la tête sans corps ».
It used to be called a ‘body without a head’ [sic].
- the translator has made a mistake here; it is a head without a body.
9. On retrouve les chambres aux couettes de satin.
The rooms are made up with comforters of silk.
- it would be possible to suggest the scenario given in the French of the tired travellers coming back to
their luxury hotel rooms, by saying : You return to your bedroom with its satin comforters. Silk (soie) is not a
synonym of satin.
10. On dit que les femmes qui boivent du saké ont la peau plus douce.
Women who drink sake are said to have softer skin.
Source : Air France Magazine n° 51, juillet 2001