16:18 Feb 1, 2007 |
Dutch to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Music / expression | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Adam Smith United Kingdom Local time: 20:07 | ||||||
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Summary of answers provided | ||||
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3 +3 | Additional comments |
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4 | Explanation |
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3 +1 | easy come, easy go |
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3 | comment |
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3 | go to pot |
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Explanation Explanation: The Dutch expression 'op de fles gaan' means 'to go bankrupt'. This means that the company seizes to exist, hence disappears. |
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comment Explanation: I must admit that I'm at a bit of a disadvantage here due to not knowing the 'other' meaning of 'op de fles'. However, the translator can certainly be faulted for translating the first sentence 'straight', since there is little reason to expect that the English expression 'to go broke' has a double meaning that corresponds to the double meaning of 'op de fles'. In any case, a more faithful translation (other wordings are naturally possible) would be: Here the composer starts playing around with a few things, which allows the title 'Op de fles' to be understood in a different sense. Be that as it may, there is lively sequence of comings and goings.' -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2007-02-01 18:10:11 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- I should have said 'for translating the title 'straight', since the translation of the sentence is a bit of an interpretation IMO. |
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easy come, easy go Explanation: Indeed 'op het fles' mans "to go bankrupt" and "to go for broke" = to risk everything to achieve something. A bit of a carefree attitude, hence easy come, easy go. -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 2 hrs (2007-02-01 19:17:11 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- correction: 'mans' should read 'means'. |
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Additional comments Explanation: I'm guessing that the composer here is Frans Geysen, who wrote "Op de fles" for recorder (http://www.cebedem.be/composers/geysen_frans/en.html)? If this is the case then the pun arises through the fact that the piece of music has been / can be played on "tuned bottles" (i.e. "op de fles" / "on a bottle", e.g. http://www.flanders-recorder-quartet.be/multi050302.pdf (notably by a group called "Vier op 'n rij" - or lit. four in a row, four lined up, aka, the Flanders' Recorder Ensemble), as well as referring to "bankruptcy". (There are is also the literal translation of in/on the bottle). The trick is conveying this double meaning in English, because as has already been said - to "go broke" / "bankrupt", etc. has no meaning other than just that, i.e. you've lost your business, money, etc., etc. Perhaps the closest approximation is "hit the bottle" - in the sense of I'm going to drink a lot (!) or literally strike the object. It doesn't cover the Dutch sense of bankruptcy precisely, although impending bankruptcy might very well lead you to hit the bottle! It's also interesting to look at the origins of "op de fles" (http://www.onzetaal.nl/advies/fles.php), in particular the potentially different Dutch/Flemish derivations (Geysen was educated in Belgium). The former referring to the dreg ends of a barrel of ale, the latter to the bottle used to nurse the dying (a sense of "here today, gone tomorrow", perhaps?) My suggestion would be: "Op de fles" - "Hit the bottle" .... "a case of here today, gone tomorrow.." |
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