Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
mener sa barque
English translation:
navigate your way .... together
Added to glossary by
Kelly Harrison
Dec 7, 2011 14:11
12 yrs ago
2 viewers *
French term
mener sa barque
Non-PRO
French to English
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Metaphors
The folllowing is an extract from a compatibility report:
Vous pourrez conduire votre barque ensemble tranquillement sur le lac de la vie. Vous êtes à l’écoute l’un de l’autre et votre relation pourra se développer avec les années.
I would love to find something similar in English... Maybe something to do with sailing the relationSHIP on the sea of life?
Thank you for your ideas :o)
Vous pourrez conduire votre barque ensemble tranquillement sur le lac de la vie. Vous êtes à l’écoute l’un de l’autre et votre relation pourra se développer avec les années.
I would love to find something similar in English... Maybe something to do with sailing the relationSHIP on the sea of life?
Thank you for your ideas :o)
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
1 hr
Sarah Bessioud
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Germany
A way with words
Native in: English (Variants: British, UK, US) 
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
navigate your way .... together
This is what first sprang to my mind - doing away with the boat, but focusing more on the direction in which the couple are heading.
Perhaps something along the lines of "you can navigate your way through the sea of life together", or even do away with the "sea" and just use "life" alone if you feel "sea" is a bit OTT.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-12-07 16:50:34 GMT)
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I'm not sure about plain sailing. To me, plain sailing through life is like saying that life's a piece of cake. Plain sailing would imply that the couple won't come up against any difficulties, whereas the way I interpret the original text is that they will be able to steer themselves along steadily through life, including coping calmly with any difficulties that they may come up against. But you have the rest of the text, so you have the benefit of the larger context ;-)
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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-12-07 16:56:08 GMT)
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The way I interpret plain sailing, is that the couple would not come up against any difficulties, as though life is a piece of cake. The way I interpret the original text, however, is that the couple can steer their way steadily through life and cope calmly with any difficulties that may come their way, which is probably a little more realistic ;-)
Perhaps something along the lines of "you can navigate your way through the sea of life together", or even do away with the "sea" and just use "life" alone if you feel "sea" is a bit OTT.
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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-12-07 16:50:34 GMT)
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I'm not sure about plain sailing. To me, plain sailing through life is like saying that life's a piece of cake. Plain sailing would imply that the couple won't come up against any difficulties, whereas the way I interpret the original text is that they will be able to steer themselves along steadily through life, including coping calmly with any difficulties that they may come up against. But you have the rest of the text, so you have the benefit of the larger context ;-)
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Note added at 2 hrs (2011-12-07 16:56:08 GMT)
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The way I interpret plain sailing, is that the couple would not come up against any difficulties, as though life is a piece of cake. The way I interpret the original text, however, is that the couple can steer their way steadily through life and cope calmly with any difficulties that may come their way, which is probably a little more realistic ;-)
Note from asker:
| Thank you, so far I have used this: Together, this relationship could be plain sailing on the ocean of life, what do you think? |
| I had hoped that my phrase would be understood that the relationship will be plain sailing.. is that not the case? |
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
: I agree with your doubts about 'plain sailing'. I also have reservations about "sea of life" though. You can get away with in French but it does have a corny ring to it in English. "Mener sa barque" implies getting on with things.
1 day 10 hrs
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Thans Nikki. I agree with you fully about the sea of life, which is why I suggested that it may be a little OTT. However, when I come across certain magazine columns or sites about relationships, I'm often amazed by the 'originality' of the text ;-)
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+2
14 mins
some ideas: you can be the captain of your ship/ you can steer yourboat through the waves and storms
to get the ball rolling
Note from asker:
| Thank you but its really the opposite, saying that it will be plain sailing, and its important to mention doing it together... What i have so far is this: Together, this relationship will be plain sailing on the sea of life. You are well tuned in to one another and this relationship could thrive with the passing years. Being together seems to help provide you with the strength to face life’s challenges. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Lara Barnett
5 mins
|
|
well, I guess, it wasn't the right choice here, oh well, try agin; but thanks!
|
|
| agree |
Aline Mercuri
14 mins
|
|
thanks, Aline, I guess it wasn't the right context
|
36 mins
Alexandra Maldwyn-Davies
Native in English
Reliable, multi-talented and discreet
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US)
Works in: French to English
put the wind in eachother's sails
I thought this might be a romantic little twist to the common saying?
Note from asker:
| Thank you, but as someone used to say on the telly, its good but it's not the one! :oP |
+1
40 mins
sail off together
on the calm waters of life together.
Just a suggestion. Not sure we need the "barque" in EN.
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Note added at 40 mins (2011-12-07 14:52:28 GMT)
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or "set sail together"
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Note added at 58 mins (2011-12-07 15:09:45 GMT)
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...on the calm waters of the sea of love.
Just a suggestion. Not sure we need the "barque" in EN.
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Note added at 40 mins (2011-12-07 14:52:28 GMT)
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or "set sail together"
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Note added at 58 mins (2011-12-07 15:09:45 GMT)
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...on the calm waters of the sea of love.
Note from asker:
| Yep, nice. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Ingeborg Gowans (X)
: after having read more context, this would work better; set sail together is my favourite
23 mins
|
2 hrs
Nikki Scott-Despaigne
Native in English
Psychologist, Court-certified legal
Native in: English
Works in: French to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
French term (edited):
mener sa barque tranquillement
you can just sail through life, life can be plain sailing
"mener sa barque" means to get on with things which has been qualified here by "tranquillement". Taking both parts together, this could be encompassed in "plain sailing".
For phrases with a nautical bent :
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/nautical-phrases.html
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Note added at 6 hrs (2011-12-07 20:32:06 GMT)
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I think it is important to remember that whilst style and register have to be respected, when it comes to flowery language, French can take it much more naturally than modern English can. Sometimes in a desire to retain the authenticity of the original, the translated version can be anything but! Sometimes, less is more ;-)! ANything close to "le lac de la vie" in English just sounds plain ridiculous to my mind!
"Vous pourrez conduire votre barque ensemble tranquillement sur le lac de la vie. Vous êtes à l’écoute l’un de l’autre et votre relation pourra se développer avec les années."
"Sail through life together. Mutually attentive, your relationship will grow with the years".
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Note added at 6 hrs (2011-12-07 20:34:32 GMT)
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If there is something vaguely predicitve about it, the :
"Life will be plain sailing for you. Mutually attentive, your relationship will develop as the years go by".
For phrases with a nautical bent :
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/nautical-phrases.html
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Note added at 6 hrs (2011-12-07 20:32:06 GMT)
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I think it is important to remember that whilst style and register have to be respected, when it comes to flowery language, French can take it much more naturally than modern English can. Sometimes in a desire to retain the authenticity of the original, the translated version can be anything but! Sometimes, less is more ;-)! ANything close to "le lac de la vie" in English just sounds plain ridiculous to my mind!
"Vous pourrez conduire votre barque ensemble tranquillement sur le lac de la vie. Vous êtes à l’écoute l’un de l’autre et votre relation pourra se développer avec les années."
"Sail through life together. Mutually attentive, your relationship will grow with the years".
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Note added at 6 hrs (2011-12-07 20:34:32 GMT)
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If there is something vaguely predicitve about it, the :
"Life will be plain sailing for you. Mutually attentive, your relationship will develop as the years go by".
Note from asker:
| Thank you, that is the phrase that originally came into my mind... |
6 hrs
Clive Phillips
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Defence/military specialist translator
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: German to English, French to English, English
(you can) paddle your canoe (together gently across the lake of life)
Another aquatic image.
Note from asker:
| Lovely :o) |
1 hr
Colin Rowe
Germany
Germany
Native in English
Works in field
Germany
Par Excellence Translations
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: German to English, French to English, Italian to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
take the helm [together]
Together, you will take the helm (of your relation*ship*, etc.) and steer a safe passage through the (blah, blah, blah...)
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Note added at 19 hrs (2011-12-08 09:52:17 GMT)
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"Asker: I didn't know that word... "
Which word – "helm"?
helm Nautical 1a the wheel, tiller or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered. 2 a position of leadership or control (esp. in the phrase at the helm).
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Note added at 19 hrs (2011-12-08 10:02:54 GMT)
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(Collins English Dictionary)
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Note added at 19 hrs (2011-12-08 09:52:17 GMT)
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"Asker: I didn't know that word... "
Which word – "helm"?
helm Nautical 1a the wheel, tiller or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered. 2 a position of leadership or control (esp. in the phrase at the helm).
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Note added at 19 hrs (2011-12-08 10:02:54 GMT)
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(Collins English Dictionary)
Note from asker:
| I didn't know that word... |
| I didn't doubt it for a moment, I meant, I just learnt a new word! By the by I try to only use words I am familiar with in my translations, or only after I have had time to roll them around in my head for a while... |
7 hrs
You'll be able to sail smoothly together on the high seas of life
Hello,
The idea is just that they can live their lives as they choose without any obstacles. I prefer "ocean" to "lake" imagery in English.
tranquillement = smoothly/ happily
I am not a big fan of "riding in the sunset together" or any variation thereof, as that emphasizes the beautiful start of a relationship which may end desastrous. The idea, here, is going through life in an ever-stable and loving relationship with the love of your life, even though there may be many trials that await you.
I hope this helps.
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Note added at 4 days (2011-12-12 05:37:29 GMT) Post-grading
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I still don't see how "tranquillement" is getting translated here.
Even when times get tough in the rawness of life (high seas of life), your relationship will sustain you; it will be "smooth-sailing" in the regard.
The idea is just that they can live their lives as they choose without any obstacles. I prefer "ocean" to "lake" imagery in English.
tranquillement = smoothly/ happily
I am not a big fan of "riding in the sunset together" or any variation thereof, as that emphasizes the beautiful start of a relationship which may end desastrous. The idea, here, is going through life in an ever-stable and loving relationship with the love of your life, even though there may be many trials that await you.
I hope this helps.
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Note added at 4 days (2011-12-12 05:37:29 GMT) Post-grading
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I still don't see how "tranquillement" is getting translated here.
Even when times get tough in the rawness of life (high seas of life), your relationship will sustain you; it will be "smooth-sailing" in the regard.
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