better say, d'une dinde qui était très-dodue, or with a circumlocution d'une dinde où il y avait de quoi manger, literally of a turkey on which there was plenty to eat. § 51. It is also better not to repeat pour twice if it can be avoided; for example, we came in town To buy a bracelet FOR the bride, ought not to be translated, nous sommes venus en ville POUR acheter un bracelet Pour la fiancée, but nous sommes venus en ville AFIN D'acheter un bracelet POUR la fiancée. § 52. We also give a few examples of reduplication of sounds which should be carefully avoided, by modifying the construction of the sentence : 1. Il vint en ville à peu près une heure après nous He came to town about an hour after us 2. Nous allâmes à Anvers We went to Antwerp 3. Il a été très-têtu He has been very obstinate 4. Voilà un artiste qui, quoiqu'il croie qu'il est grand peintre, ne sera jamais connu There is an artist who, though he believes himself a great painter, will never be known 5. Ma main sera donnée demain My hand will be given away to-morrow 6. Les bons bonbons que ma bonne m'a donnés The good sweetmeats my nurse has given me 7. Ta tante est toute tremblante Thy aunt is quite trembling 8. On offre de l'or à l'orphelin They offer gold to the orphan § 53. For the sake of euphony we also suppress the adverb y before the future of the verb aller, and instead of saying j'y irai, I will go there, we only use j'irai. But when verbs of the first conjugation are employed in the second person singular of the imperative mood, a euphonic s is used, as vas-y, go there; parles-en, speak of it; va-y, parle-en would be wrong. VII.-OF IDIOMATIC PHRASES. § 54. The value of the expression and the construction adopted by the English author should always be observed; but the genius of the French language must not be sinned against. Every language has its own features, which depend on the peculiarities, origin, and habits of a nation, as well as on their different views, feelings, and ways of expression. Thus spring up untranslatable forms, arising from a complex association of several of these causes, and deviating from general and common rules so completely that they can only be translated by equivalents. These forms, which often defy analysis, and against which the translator would struggle in vain, are called Idioms. They are very numerous in English, and it would be impossible to give a complete list of them; but students can find them in dictionaries, and above all by perusing the best writers. We cannot conclude without giving a certain number of Idioms, with their translation, so that the importance and difficulty of this particular subject may be better understood: 1. He was by himself. Il était seul 2. It is all over C'en est fait 3. We should do it but for hurting him Nous le ferions si nous ne craignions de le blesser 4. It happened three years ago Cela est arrivé il y a trois ans 5. It is five years since Il y a cinq ans de cela 6. What will become of me? Que deviendrai-je ? 7. She was wet through Elle fut mouillée jusqu'aux of 8. I was looking for you Je vous cherchais 9. He sent for you Il vous a envoyé chercher 10. He is in my debt for six pounds Il me doit six livres 11. I put out the candle Je souffle la chandelle 12. The fire is going out Le feu va s'éteindre 13. I must leave you Il faut que je vous quitte 14. She is twelve Elle a douze ans 15. What o'clock is it by your watch? Quelle heure est-il à votre montre ? 16. It is seven minutes past five Il est cinq heures sept minutes 17. It is eight minutes to four Il est quatre heures moins huit minutes 18. They are all one with me Ils sont tous du même sentiment que moi 19. They frightened him out of the drawing-room Ils lui firent quitter le salon en l'effrayant 20. The rain pours down La pluie tombe à verse 21. At these words the prisoner turned very pale A ces mots, l'accusé devint très-pâle 22. He has been run over Une voiture lui a passé sur le corps 23. The old man shook his stick at her Le vieillard la menaça de son bâton 24. How will you meet such an expense ? Comment ferez-vous face à une pareille dépense? 25. What is the matter? Qu'y a-t-il ? 26. What is the matter with you? Qu'avez-vous ? 27. He walked up and down the room Il se promenait de long en large dans la chambre 28. It is a matter of course Cela va sans dire 29. To show somebody in Faire entrer quelqu'un 30. He looks very ill Il a l'air très-malade 31. I pretend to be deaf Je fais semblant d'être sourd Or, Je fais le sourd 32. She was dressed up Elle était en grande toilette 33. We are glad to have a carriage of our own Nous sommes contents d'avoir une voiture à nous 34. He frowned at him Il le regarda de travers 35. We do not question his honour Nous ne doutons pas de son honneur Or, Nous ne mettons pas son honneur en question 36. She was taken ill Elle tomba malade 37. The enemies fled for their lives Les ennemis cherchèrent leur salut dans la fuite 38. They helped me out Ils m'ont tiré d'affaire 39. That boy does not know how to read Ce garçon ne sait pas lire 40. Our interests are at stake Il y va de nos intérêts 41. Go and call your father Allez appeler votre père 42. I am hungry, thirsty, cold J'ai faim, soif, froid 43. His shoes let in water Ses souliers prennent l'eau 44. They put the inhabitants to the sword |