Questionable Translations Thread

I’m really not sure about “got you” as the translation of " je t’ai compris" in French 6. How about “I understood you.” ?

I appreciate the effort to use idioms, but it can go a little too far.

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got you :smiley:

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I agree. If they want an idiom that’s fair enough but the correct answer should also be acceptable (as an Alternate).

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L’ordre public is translated as “law and order” but we have “the public order” in English. French Level 6.

Seems good feedback; you might have more success of a response (and a change if needed) if you post in the French course forum

That is, I suppose you mean the French course by Memrise

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Here’s an example of why I think the colloquial translations are not always helpful.

<< Qui ne tente rien n’a rien >> is translated as “Nothing ventured nothing gained.”

The two idioms play the same role in their respective cultures, which is doubtless why they are equated in the translation.

But it will be a lot easier for English speakers to remember the French if it’s translated literally, “Who attempts nothing has nothing.” Otherwise we’re liable to forget about the Qui at the beginning.

The literal translation helps us to remember the Qui.

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So they trying to push official courses but have inaccurate translations like that.

Here’s two more from French 6:

  1. “espérons des jours meilleurs” is translated as “let’s hope for clear skies.”

But the literal translation, “let’s hope for better days,” is at least as common in English as “clear skies.” Using the less accurate translation is just going to make it harder to use Memrise.

  1. “Il faut etre positif” is translated as “one must think positive thoughts.”

What’s wrong with the literal translation, “One must be positive”? The word thoughts occurs nowhere in the French sentence.

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