ProZ.com global directory of translation services
The translation workplace
Ideas
KudoZ home » English » Poetry & Literature

whatever obstacles

English translation: whatever the obstacles


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.
16:12 May 29, 2005
English to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / children's literature
English term or phrase: whatever obstacles
Finally, seeing that they had gotten lost completely, the leader decided they just had to push their way through, whatever obstacles.

Dear native English speakers!
Please advise if such a construction sounds OK here or if I should expand it.

They are pushing their way through a very dense thicket.

Thank you!
Andrew Vdovin
Local time: 19:17
English translation:whatever the obstacles
Explanation:
It doesn't work to just put "whatever obstacles" on its own - you could however say "whatever the obstacles", or you can add a verb, such as by saying "whatever obstacles they might encounter on the way"
Selected response from:

Armorel Young
Local time: 12:17
Grading comment
Thank you for your help Armorel! Thanks everybody!!!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +6whatever the obstacles
Armorel Young
4 +5whatever the obstacles.
Nesrin
4 +1no matter what the obstancles are
Michael Powers (PhD)
4in spite of obstacles / against all obstacles
Nick Lingris
3whatever obstacles they might find
Lietta Warren-Granato


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
whatever obstacles they might find


Explanation:
this seems right

Lietta Warren-Granato
Italy
Local time: 13:17
Native speaker of: Italian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
no matter what the obstancles are


Explanation:
This sounds much more natural to me.

Mike :)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 mins (2005-05-29 16:15:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The way it is stated right now sounds like advertising for a cell phone - like \"anytime minutes\" or something to that effect.

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 07:17
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 120

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Laurens Landkroon
3 mins
  -> Thank you, Somerset - Mike :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +6
whatever the obstacles


Explanation:
It doesn't work to just put "whatever obstacles" on its own - you could however say "whatever the obstacles", or you can add a verb, such as by saying "whatever obstacles they might encounter on the way"

Armorel Young
Local time: 12:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 64
Grading comment
Thank you for your help Armorel! Thanks everybody!!!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  cmwilliams: I also like 'whatever obstacles they might encounter......'
4 mins
agree  Refugio: whatever obstacles they might encounter on the way ... also, I would change the first part of the sentence to say "seeing that they were now completely lost"
6 mins
agree  Rachel Fell
22 mins
agree  Nick Lingris
24 mins
agree  RHELLER: whatever THE - they might encounter on the way sounds heavy to me
32 mins
agree  Alfa Trans
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
whatever the obstacles.


Explanation:
I think this is the expression you had in mind.

Disclaimer: I am not a native English speaker.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2005-05-29 16:22:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Other options:

..regardless of the obstacles.
..obstacles notwithstanding.

Nesrin
Local time: 12:17
Native speaker of: Arabic
PRO pts in category: 80

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Refugio: whatever the obstacles
9 mins
agree  Rachel Fell: whatever the obstcles (the other two don't work so well here)
26 mins
agree  RHELLER: agree w/rachel
34 mins
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou: Sorry, I am too late. I am not a native English speaker, either. :-)
8 hrs
  -> Thank you Vicky! I'm really not bitter, but I'm only hoping that the asker's choice was due to an oversight on his part... Or maybe I just I shouldn't have meddled in a question that was clearly restricted to native speakers!
agree  Balasubramaniam L.
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
in spite of obstacles / against all obstacles


Explanation:
or "whatever THE obstacles"

You could also say "notwithstanding the obstacles", but not at this level.

"In spite of" can be followed by "obstacles" without the article.

Nick Lingris
Local time: 14:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GreekGreek
PRO pts in category: 44
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)




Return to KudoZ list


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:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations

Terminology | Jobs and directories | Member activities | Education | Tools
About ProZ.com | ProZ.com basics | Advertising | Support | FAQ | Terms of use
Print page
Copyright © 1999-2012 ProZ.com - All rights reserved. Privacy