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  3. Poetry & Literature

pour être réaliste

English translation: there's realism for you!

10:38 Jul 27, 2010
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
French term or phrase: pour être réaliste
Context is a cabaret singer explaining that a surrealist poet arranges her bawdy music-hall songs for her. Her grandmother (who has heard the songs) responds, 'Ça, pour être réaliste!'

I took this to suggest that the songs are pretty down to earth / gritty – realistic, as opposed to surreal – but I don't know how to work it into a conversation.
Nora Mahony
Ireland
Local time: 21:24
English translation:there's realism for you!
Explanation:
I tried to go for the irony in the sentence rather than the literal translation. If it's a play on philosophical terms I think it's best to translate with the school of thought (realism) as opposed to the adjective (realistic).
Selected response from:

Valentina Viganò
Italy
Local time: 22:24
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5there's realism for you!
Valentina Viganò
4It adds a touch of realism
Marcia Miner
4that sure is realistic!
Transitwrite
3 +1talk about reality!
marie leconte
3That IS realistic!
Estelle Demontrond-Box
3Talk about realistic!
Claire Nolan
1They couldn't be more realistic!
Alain Mouchel


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 1/5Answerer confidence 1/5
They couldn't be more realistic!


Explanation:
They couldn't be more realistic!

Alain Mouchel
Local time: 22:24
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 8
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2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
That IS realistic!


Explanation:
To emphasize, I would use capital letters.

Estelle Demontrond-Box
Australia
Local time: 06:24
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: French
PRO pts in category: 12
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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
there's realism for you!


Explanation:
I tried to go for the irony in the sentence rather than the literal translation. If it's a play on philosophical terms I think it's best to translate with the school of thought (realism) as opposed to the adjective (realistic).

Valentina Viganò
Italy
Local time: 22:24
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks – irony is what I'm going for, alright!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  SMcG (X): yes, I agree, it's ironic: That's realism for you!
4 mins
agree  Sylvie Chartier
51 mins
agree  Chris Hall: Agree with jsmcgregor: "That's realism for you!"
1 hr
agree  Evans (X)
5 hrs
agree  Verginia Ophof
11 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Talk about realistic!


Explanation:
suggestion

Claire Nolan
Local time: 16:24
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 23
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
It adds a touch of realism


Explanation:
"adds a touch of realism" is a phrase used in English

Marcia Miner
Local time: 14:24
Native speaker of: English
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10 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
that sure is realistic!


Explanation:
another suggestion to add to the list...

Transitwrite
France
Local time: 22:24
Native speaker of: English
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15 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
talk about reality!


Explanation:
I would have liked to see the surrounding text. It is either really realistic or not one bit. Hence my confidence level.

marie leconte
Canada
Local time: 16:24
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Michalsuz: Because your translation is unclear too, as well as short and tidy, it seems to me that this is the best!
1 hr
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