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Saturday, 01 July 2006

Lost in translation

RACHEL FROM ENGLAND WAS THE TEACHER BLOGGER IN JULY

Congratulations! Italy is through to the semi-finals and with (I think) a 'clean sheet' (none of the teams Italy had played has scored a goal). 'In bocca al lupo' tomorrow for England, but I'm not sure which way the result will go........... My mum, dad and sister will watch the match at my house tomorrow. We'll concentrate on shouting at the TV during the first match and then eat beef curry and rice while we watch Brazil v. France.

I agree with you on subtitles; I much prefer them to dubbing. You describe the problem the translators had with 'The Godfather' as 'funny'. This is a very useful word in English as it can mean lots of different things, depending on the context in which it is used. The most obvious meaning is 'causing laughter', for example, a funny joke is one that makes you laugh. But 'funny' can also mean 'strange, unexpected or difficult to explain'. An example of this meaning is, 'he's a funny person, I don't understand why he behaves like that...'. There are also two informal uses of 'funny'. One of these uses is, 'not correct, dishonest or involving cheating'. An example is, 'don't try anything funny with me' meaning 'don't try to trick or cheat me'. The second of these informal uses is, 'not feeling well', for example, 'too much coffee makes me feel funny'.

A problem, like the one the translators of 'The Godfather' had, could be described as a 'tricky problem', 'a serious problem', or, as you do, a 'funny problem', meaning 'strange'; the second meaning in the list of four above.

Clara enjoyed her school trip, thank you! Her class visited a warship from 1817, now converted into a museum, in a town on the north-east coast of England, about two hours drive from York. You mentioned 'voyage', meaning a 'journey by sea'. Yes, it came from French into English in the thirteenth century. It is pronounced in English with a strong stress on the first syllable, except in the fixed phrase 'bon voyage', when the stress is on the second syllable.

Thanks for the photo!

See you on Monday...

Comments

Hello everyone, I just read every thing written by you, teacher Rachel, and Antonio. It took me about half an hour to do so, and I enjoyed each minute of them. This whole thing is great and I am looking forward to reading both of your blogs. You were talking about the football. Though I am not that much into it, I feel sorry I CAN'T WATCH ANY GAME. Here, in the Arab world, the games were enciphered (I hope this is the right word for it). We have to pay money to see them. And since my dad is not that enthusiastic for games, SO I DON'T GET TO SEE THEM. My friends call this world game "The rich world cup" this means that only those who can get the money will be able to watch them. It is so sad. Anyways, I am truly glad that the BBC opened this section. Thank you teacher Rachel for the comments you made regarding the some words and how to use them, they are helpful not for Antonio only but for all of us. Take care...

Hello everyone, I just read every thing written by you, teacher Rachel, and Antonio. It took me about half an hour to do so, and I enjoyed each minute of them. This whole thing is great and I am looking forward to reading both of your blogs. You were talking about the football. Though I am not that much into it, I feel sorry I CAN'T WATCH ANY GAME. Here, in the Arab world, the games were enciphered (I hope this is the right word for it). We have to pay money to see them. And since my dad is not that enthusiastic for games, SO I DON'T GET TO SEE THEM. My friends call this world game "The rich world cup" this means that only those who can get the money will be able to watch them. It is so sad. Anyways, I am truly glad that the BBC opened this section. Thank you teacher Rachel for the comments you made regarding the some words and how to use them, they are helpful not for Antonio only but for all of us. Take care...

Thank you for a good analysis of "funny" and the word "voyage".

Thanks for all your contributions. This blog has now closed and can no longer accept new comments.

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