Translation - art & business » Translation Theory and Practice »
Off topic: 40 idioms that simply can’t be translated literally
Thread poster: Suzan Hamer
Suzan Hamer
Suzan Hamer  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 03:55
English
+ ...
Aug 22, 2015

http://blog.ted.com/40-idioms-that-cant-be-translated-literally/

I take issue with the title... Isn't that the nature of idioms? That they cannot be translated literally?
But still posting it, FWIW.

(Not sure under which category to post this; hope this one will do.)

[Edited at 2015-08-22 12:57 GMT]
 
Miguel Carmona
Miguel Carmona  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 18:55
English to Spanish
... Aug 22, 2015

Suzan Hamer wrote:

http://blog.ted.com/40-idioms-that-cant-be-translated-literally/

I take issue with the title... Isn't that the nature of idioms? That they cannot be translated literally?


I agree, that is a foolish title. It is like saying:

1) 40 dictionaries that have words in them
2) 40 mornings that precede their corresponding afternoons
3) 40 alive human beings who breathe
4) 40 obvious things that are self-evident
5) 40 musical instruments that produce musical sounds
6) 40 planetary systems that have planets

... and so on.

[Edited at 2015-08-22 18:20 GMT]
 
Michele Fauble
Michele Fauble  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 18:55
Member (2006)
Norwegian to English
+ ...
Idioms Aug 23, 2015

"A piece of cake" is an idiom, but "You can't put lipstick on a pig" is neither an idiom nor true. The expression is "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig". Still not an idiom though. And neither is "Why add fuel to the fire?" This is just metaphorical speech.
 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Maria Castro[Call to this topic]
Nawal Kramer[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

40 idioms that simply can’t be translated literally







CafeTran Espresso
You've never met a CAT tool this clever!

Translate faster & easier, using a sophisticated CAT tool built by a translator / developer. Accept jobs from clients who use Trados, MemoQ, Wordfast & major CAT tools. Download and start using CafeTran Espresso -- for free

Buy now! »
Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »