le percezioni per contrappasso si fanno sottili

English translation: in self-defence, we become more discerning

08:36 Oct 28, 2011
Italian to English translations [PRO]
Science - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Article on watch
Italian term or phrase: le percezioni per contrappasso si fanno sottili
This is at the beginning of an article on watches. I'm having difficulty understanding "le percezioni per contrappasso si fanno sottili". Thanks for any help.

Ed oggi che siamo circondati dagli oggetti, dalle immagini, assediati da spot e da desideri multipli, le percezioni per contrappasso si fanno sottili e si rintanano nell’intimità personale. Tanto che superata la stagione dell’ostentazione esibita attraverso forme ed eccessi, la voglia latente di una misura inespressa ha trovato humus fertile in proposte d’orologi armonizzati con il carattere di chi li indossa.
Juliet Halewood (X)
Local time: 07:41
English translation:in self-defence, we become more discerning
Explanation:
and we keep our desire to ourselves.

...or something along those lines. A bit obscure, I agree. HTH :).
Selected response from:

Oliver Lawrence
Italy
Local time: 07:41
Grading comment
Thanks Oliver, you've helped me understand a bit more!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3in self-defence, we become more discerning
Oliver Lawrence
3our attention is drawn back to subtleties
luskie


  

Answers


21 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
in self-defence, we become more discerning


Explanation:
and we keep our desire to ourselves.

...or something along those lines. A bit obscure, I agree. HTH :).

Oliver Lawrence
Italy
Local time: 07:41
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 71
Grading comment
Thanks Oliver, you've helped me understand a bit more!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
our attention is drawn back to subtleties


Explanation:
or "our attention is drawn back to what is subtle, intimate, personal"

or "by contrast, we incline to perceive..."

or something like that - based on what i seem to understand



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 days (2011-11-01 09:53:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

we tend to

luskie
Local time: 07:41
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in category: 61
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search