ils divisèrent longuement du monde

English translation: Together they would ponder over the world

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:ils divisèrent longuement du monde
English translation:Together they would ponder over the world
Entered by: Edna Pais

15:51 Sep 20, 2016
French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting / painting
French term or phrase: ils divisèrent longuement du monde
Un ami très proche à Bruxelles était le peintre et le philosophe Jo Delahaut. Ensemble ils divisèrent longuement du monde, de l’art, de la philosophie et de la sensibilité de la géométrie des couleurs.
Edna Pais
United Kingdom
Local time: 10:36
Together they would ponder over the world
Explanation:
I think the verb deviser is used here to indicate a friendly yet philosophical or intellectual discussing of/exchanging ideas on complex issues

Among the many possible verbs (consider, discuss, debate, etc...) I would go with to ponder over which also encompasses the meaning of 'at length' which could then be left out.
Otherwise 'discuss at length' which would naturally mean rearranging the sentance or 'exchanging ideas about'...

The use of 'would' to give the idea of the habitual nature of these friendly and encounters/discussions

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Note added at 5 hrs (2016-09-20 21:06:07 GMT)
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another, maybe simpler, option could be

They would have long discussions together about the world, art, philosophy...
Selected response from:

Lisa Jane
Italy
Local time: 11:36
Grading comment
Thank you
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2Together they would ponder over the world
Lisa Jane
3they chewed the fat about the world ...
B D Finch


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Together they would ponder over the world


Explanation:
I think the verb deviser is used here to indicate a friendly yet philosophical or intellectual discussing of/exchanging ideas on complex issues

Among the many possible verbs (consider, discuss, debate, etc...) I would go with to ponder over which also encompasses the meaning of 'at length' which could then be left out.
Otherwise 'discuss at length' which would naturally mean rearranging the sentance or 'exchanging ideas about'...

The use of 'would' to give the idea of the habitual nature of these friendly and encounters/discussions

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 hrs (2016-09-20 21:06:07 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

another, maybe simpler, option could be

They would have long discussions together about the world, art, philosophy...


    Reference: http://www.la-definition.fr/definition/deviser
Lisa Jane
Italy
Local time: 11:36
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Daryo
47 mins
  -> Thanks Daryo

agree  philgoddard: "Over" is unnecessary, though.
3 hrs
  -> Thanks Phil
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

18 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
they chewed the fat about the world ...


Explanation:
http://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/deviser/25018
"S'entretenir familièrement avec quelqu'un, converser, discuter : Deviser de choses sans importance."



B D Finch
France
Local time: 11:36
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 123
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