les visages dessinaient des rictus de désolation

03:49 Feb 13, 2011 

I actually found the expression "snarling grimace"on the Internet, although it had to do with a lion. Remember the irony, though, when they "made him out to be a man of property," when the guy is only an apartment dweller, "galloping depression," when she is a runner, trying to be just the opposite, i.e., not depressed (my other questions)? Anyway, "snarly" is indicative of "crossness," or being "in a bad temper," according to my source, and I think the people moving down the sidewalk find the just awful weather, as it is described in such a variety of terms, a total pain.

09:19 Feb 12, 2011 

I think that in the circumstances, 'gloom' is actually pretty good here. After all, does bad weather really make people snarl? Unless this is supposed to be ironic - but no mention is made of this in the context given. Snarling is an aggressive act that is as much audible as visual (as in grrrhhh!) As this is a literary text, it's extremely important to end up with something that sounds idiomatic and natural, and I'd have thought that this was a prime example of where an idiomizing translation would be the most appropriate. But Barbara, it's up to you to tell us if you believe irony is involved here, as this would alter things considerably! Only then would one of the more literal translations work.

02:18 Feb 12, 2011 

"Snarl," according to my source, can also indicate the mental state of "impatience," like "can't wait to get out from under this cold, uncomfortable rain," "can't wait to get out from under the elements." But you do make a good point about "grimace."

01:49 Feb 12, 2011 

"snarl" has an undertone of menace or threat; "grimace" reflects discomfort... But that may just be me.

01:06 Feb 12, 2011 

I think "gloom" and "distress" are options that are not applicable here. I think this passage has more to do with the contortions of the face, such as a "snarl" or, as a couple of people suggested, with a grimace.

All I have to do is think about how my mouth reacts when I'm pelted with a heavy downpour.