tenho que falar-me

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Portuguese term or phrase:tenho que falar-me
English translation:I have to express myself
Entered by: Oliver Simões

19:22 Dec 28, 2018
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere

Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
Portuguese term or phrase: tenho que falar-me
I've seen it translated as "I have to speak a language", which seems pretty obvious. I don't believe that's what Pessoa meant. Any ideas? If possible, please provide references to any trustworthy literary analysis you may find. Thank you all.

"Patriota? Não: só português.
Nasci português como nasci louro e de olhos azuis.
Se nasci para falar, tenho que falar-me." - Alberto Caeiro / Fernando Pessoa
Oliver Simões
United States
Local time: 22:18


Summary of answers provided
4 +1I must talk to myself
Katarina Peters
4... then speak to myself is what I believe I shall/should do
Lara Barnett
2 +1I have to speak to myself - I have to speak myself
JohnMcDove


Discussion entries: 9





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +1
I have to speak to myself - I have to speak myself


Explanation:
If I was born to speak, I have to speak to myself.

I have to talk to myself.

I believe, just as a guess, that "I have to speak the language" of Portugal... I have to have a way to "think", that is "I think in the language of my country".

I am a Spaniard, and until I learned more English and "learn to think in English", I was "thinking" in Spanish. That is, I would "talk to myself" in Spanish.

When a person achieves "conceptual understanding", he/she can then "think in concepts", rather than words. (A good practice and philosophy for any translator).

But, nonetheless, one has to have some kind of "code" to be able to articulate his/her thoughts, if only to himself or herself.

Thus, the translation "I have (or I need) to speak a language" would not seem to me unduly free, but conceptually defendable.

That is just my opinion (I give a low confidence level, as Portuguese is not my language, but the more I look at it the more plausible it seems... ;-)

Boas festas!

JohnMcDove
United States
Local time: 22:18
Does not meet criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 8

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Katarina Peters
5 hrs
  -> Muito obrigado, Katarina. :-)
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
I must talk to myself


Explanation:
that is the literal meaning

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Note added at 7 hrs (2018-12-29 03:01:21 GMT)
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alternatively, "I must/have to speak MY language" would be another option, in addition to John's suggestions.

Katarina Peters
Canada
Local time: 01:18
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 76

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  JohnMcDove: Yes, I thought about "my" language as well, in addition to the literal rendition, which I think it is also understandable... :-) /./More at the "discussion".
9 hrs
  -> Yes, John, but now I think your latest suggestion is the best: speak my (own) self
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16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
... then speak to myself is what I believe I shall/should do


Explanation:
"if I was born to speak, then speak to myself is what I believe I shall/should do"

This phrasal inversion is very common. i.e. "if I should,.... then .... is what I shall do"

Example sentence(s):
  • "Lord Arthur Savile: If I must, then I shall."

    https://www.quotes.net/mquote/1035402
Lara Barnett
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:18
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 26
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