morrem, literalmente, na praia

15:39 Dec 13, 2011

This question was closed without grading. Reason: No acceptable answer

Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / Book on sea turtle conservation

Portuguese term or phrase: morrem, literalmente, na praia

Hi all,

I know this phrase has come up before on Kudoz and it's an expression in Portuguese, but here it is being used as a pun. The text is on the Tamar sea turtle conservation project. Teams protect the turtles' nests on the beach and sometimes incubate eggs in special units at the bases on the coast. So I'm wondering how to try and get the double meaning implied in the Portuguese.

Para o Tamar, são 30 anos de realizações, mas apenas uma geração protegida, por causa desse longo ciclo de vida. O que para o homem parece muito tempo, para essas espécies é apenas uma primeira esperança. Os desafios e ameaças continuam e exigem constante vigília.
O Tamar só é possível pela aliança de muitos. Sem o esforço coletivo, as iniciativas de conservação morrem literalmente “na praia”, em um mundo que sente, cada vez mais, os efeitos da ação do homem.

I'm thinking along the lines of 'flounder on the beach' or 'wouldn't get off the ground'. Help would be appreciated. It's for a presentation to be spoken so no footnotes or anything. American English. Thanks!

Lindsay Spratt KudoZ activity Questions: 555 (8 open) (3 without valid answers) (26 closed without grading) Answers: 333 France
Local time: 04:17

Summary of answers provided

4 +2

sucumb, after finally making it ashore

Douglas Bissell

4 +1

get stuck in the sand

Paula Borges

4 +1

literally die "on the beach"

Mark Robertson

die, literally, at the "finish line"

Muriel Vasconcellos

Crushed like their eggs on the shore

kashew

Discussion entries: 5

Answers

3 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

sucumb, after finally making it ashore

Explanation:
One of, I am sure, may different possibilities

Douglas Bissell
Portugal
Local time: 03:17
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 48

19 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

get stuck in the sand

Explanation:
This expression "morrer na praia" means having expectations and plans and not being able to make them come true for some reason. I can't think of a similar expression in English that is beach-related.

Paula Borges
United Kingdom
Local time: 03:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Portuguese

47 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

literally die "on the beach"

Explanation:
Works just as well in EN as in PT

Mark Robertson
Local time: 03:17
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 44

6 hrs confidence:

die, literally, at the "finish line"

Explanation:
I'm inclined to go with "on the beach," even though it's not a metaphor in English, because your context is environmental. That said, this suggestion is invokes a reference to a more philosophical context. We sometimes speak of dying at the finish line in English, though it's not a very popular expression. Here are some examples:

www.stillnomore.org/
... moment of delivery, which is when many babies die.... at the "finish line"! Stillbirth is unpredictable and random. It often strikes like lightening in a thunderstorm. ...

www.quatloos.com/Q-Forum/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4072...Cached
Don't let it collapse and die at the finish line. TA is short on funding for some vital operations, not the least of which is its participation in the ...

twitter.com/kelleymastersCached
Don't let the #texasbakersbill die at the finish line. Call Gov. Perry and ask him to sign SB 81. 1-800-252-9600 or 512-463-2000. 6:57 AM May 31st via web ...

www.rachelelwood.com/?p=1103Cached
Jul 17, 2011 – Once I became invested financially, I knew I had to finish, and try not to completely die at the finish line. ...

Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 19:17
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 100

19 hrs confidence:

Crushed like their eggs on the shore

Explanation:
"nipped in the bud" is the idea I think - "never got off the ground"...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 heures (2011-12-14 10:51:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Works better into French : tué dans l'oeuf !

kashew
France
Local time: 04:17
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 20

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

morrem, literalmente, na praia

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

morrem, literalmente, na praia

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language