Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Italian term or phrase:
volgetele
English translation:
turn them over
Added to glossary by
Tom in London
May 11, 2016 08:54
8 yrs ago
Italian term
United Kingdom
Business & finance, geology, environment
Native in: English 
Works in: Italian to English, English
volgetele
Italian to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
This is from a quote from a text by D'Annunzio LA FIACCOLA SOTTO IL MOGGIO (translated as The Light under the Bushel)
Spegnete
le fiaccole, volgetele,
spegnetele nell'erba,
o uomini. Agitare
la mia nel mio pugno
non potei. Tutto fu
in vano.
Thank you for any suggestions
Spegnete
le fiaccole, volgetele,
spegnetele nell'erba,
o uomini. Agitare
la mia nel mio pugno
non potei. Tutto fu
in vano.
Thank you for any suggestions
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +2 | turn them over |
Tom in London
|
| 4 +1 | cover them up |
Abby. Sardinia
|
| 4 | upset them |
Lisa Jane
|
| 4 | snuff them /snuff them out |
James (Jim) Davis
|
Change log
May 16, 2016 08:54: Tom in London Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+2
3 mins
Tom in London
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Architecture, design, technical, etc.
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: Italian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
155
Selected
turn them over
Anyone who dares to translate this very great poet should so do in a way that fully respects his work ! It might be wiser to look for an existing published translation.
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Note added at 4 mins (2016-05-11 08:59:18 GMT)
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The abruptness/peremptoriness in D'Annunzio's tone should not be lost.
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Note added at 4 mins (2016-05-11 08:59:18 GMT)
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The abruptness/peremptoriness in D'Annunzio's tone should not be lost.
Note from asker:
| I've looked Tom but can only find the title translated. Thanks for your suggestion |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks"
2 hrs
upset them
or upturn them
I agree with the delicate matter of translating D'Annunzio however, I don't feel that a separable phrasal verb fits the context somehow so as volgere is of the same root as capovolgere (to turn upside down, to upset) I think it could work here and sounds more literary
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Note added at 3 hrs (2016-05-11 12:16:21 GMT)
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or even just 'turn them'-as volgere is really 'turn towards' -ie: turn them towards the grass and extinguish them
I agree with the delicate matter of translating D'Annunzio however, I don't feel that a separable phrasal verb fits the context somehow so as volgere is of the same root as capovolgere (to turn upside down, to upset) I think it could work here and sounds more literary
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Note added at 3 hrs (2016-05-11 12:16:21 GMT)
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or even just 'turn them'-as volgere is really 'turn towards' -ie: turn them towards the grass and extinguish them
+1
2 hrs
cover them up
I believe D'Annunzio is using the term in its historical sense which would agree with the tragic tone of the work.
e. ant. Avvolgere, circondare, attorniare: Come la cerchia che dintorno il volge (Dante);
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Note added at 7 hrs (2016-05-11 16:04:36 GMT)
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put out the torches,
cover them up,
put them out in the grass,
e. ant. Avvolgere, circondare, attorniare: Come la cerchia che dintorno il volge (Dante);
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Note added at 7 hrs (2016-05-11 16:04:36 GMT)
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put out the torches,
cover them up,
put them out in the grass,
Reference:
1 day 2 hrs
James (Jim) Davis
Seychelles
Seychelles
Native in English
Seychelles
25 years experience constantly improving
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: Italian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
130
snuff them /snuff them out
Obviously, if you haven't already translated spegnere with snuff.
It connects with the ancient meaning of svoglere (avvolgere) because this is how a snuffer (a small hollow metal cone on the end of a handle, used to extinguish a candle by smothering the flame.) works. Said that, it also seems to fit the sharp tone of the text. I would go for the more abrupt "snuff them".
Any other interpetation doesn't seem to make much sense. If you upset or turnover a lamp it is likely to burn the house down rather than go out.
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Note added at 3 days9 hrs (2016-05-14 18:12:18 GMT)
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Olympic Flame snuffed out! Lord Coe looks on in ancient Olympia as ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Olympic-Flame-snuffed-Lord-Coe-look...
Malfunctioning Olympic Flame is snuffed out during relay - ITV News
www.itv.com/news/2012.../malfunctioning-olympic-flame-is-sn...
21 May 2012 - Malfunctioning Olympic Flame is snuffed out during relay. The Olympic torch went out for the first time today during the London 2012 relay.
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Note added at 3 days9 hrs (2016-05-14 18:20:35 GMT)
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This link shows a photo of a man snuffing out a torch.
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/wp-content/uploads/cache//2014-1...
It connects with the ancient meaning of svoglere (avvolgere) because this is how a snuffer (a small hollow metal cone on the end of a handle, used to extinguish a candle by smothering the flame.) works. Said that, it also seems to fit the sharp tone of the text. I would go for the more abrupt "snuff them".
Any other interpetation doesn't seem to make much sense. If you upset or turnover a lamp it is likely to burn the house down rather than go out.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 days9 hrs (2016-05-14 18:12:18 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Olympic Flame snuffed out! Lord Coe looks on in ancient Olympia as ...
www.dailymail.co.uk/.../Olympic-Flame-snuffed-Lord-Coe-look...
Malfunctioning Olympic Flame is snuffed out during relay - ITV News
www.itv.com/news/2012.../malfunctioning-olympic-flame-is-sn...
21 May 2012 - Malfunctioning Olympic Flame is snuffed out during relay. The Olympic torch went out for the first time today during the London 2012 relay.
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Note added at 3 days9 hrs (2016-05-14 18:20:35 GMT)
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This link shows a photo of a man snuffing out a torch.
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/wp-content/uploads/cache//2014-1...
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Abby. Sardinia
: 'fiaccole' are torches hand held or in sconces not candles. How would you put out the Olympic torch?
2 days 4 hrs
|
|
You are being technical, you can put out a candle the same way as you put out a torch by snuffing it out. As for the Olympic games ceremony, in London I think they just turned off the gas.
|
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