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confounded the meaning of phrases

English translation: confused the meaning of phrases

14:29 May 30, 2006
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase: confounded the meaning of phrases
Labrina’s speech was so rapid it could only be compared with a waterfall gushing down from the Yellow Mountains. She swallowed her words and confounded the meaning of phrases, forgetting what she had just said and starting from the beginning over and over again …

Dear native English speakers!
Please advise on the phrase – is it possible to put it this way? Is the idea clear enough? Does it sound natural at all?
Being no NES myself, I would appreciate your suggestions greatly.

P.S. This translation is supposed to be for children of 10-12 years old.
Andrew Vdovin
Local time: 17:52
Selected answer:confused the meaning of phrases
Explanation:
or of sentences, if that is what you mean. "Confounded" would not be an easy word for children to understand here.
Selected response from:

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:52
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your help Jack! Thanks everybody!!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3confused the meaning of phrases
Jack Doughty
4confused
Refugio
3 +1mixed up her sentences
NancyLynn
3..and confused her sentences...
Michelle Welchons


  

Answers


6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
confused the meaning of phrases


Explanation:
or of sentences, if that is what you mean. "Confounded" would not be an easy word for children to understand here.

Jack Doughty
United Kingdom
Local time: 11:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 518
Grading comment
Thank you very much for your help Jack! Thanks everybody!!!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Angela Dickson (X): yes, perhaps 'sentences'.
2 hrs
  -> Yes. It did occur to me that фраза can mean phrase or sentence, whereas in English they are different; but I think either English meaning would fit here.
agree  Olga B
2 hrs
  -> Thank you.
agree  Alfa Trans (X)
1 day 13 hrs
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
confused


Explanation:
Since confounded has so many other meanings, you might prefer to use the word "confused" here. Confused also has a double meaning, but at least germane to the tex (she was confused about meanings, she made the meanings confusing).

Refugio
Local time: 03:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 120
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7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
..and confused her sentences...


Explanation:
a little easier to follow..

good luck!

Michelle Welchons
United States
Local time: 05:52
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
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24 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
mixed up her sentences


Explanation:
this might work

NancyLynn
Canada
Local time: 06:52
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 75

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mark Nathan
29 mins
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