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07:01 Jun 1, 2008
English to English translations [PRO] Slang
English term or phrase:sod on you
I'm sure this has nothing to do with the offensive "sod" - see for your self and tell me what you think. This is a part of a scene from the screenplay I translate:
X: That’s a comfort. Now, Captain, if anything happens like, if you could call on my dad... and give him this...
(producing a letter which he hands to Y)
Tell him to stop grumbling and to look after Hilda.
Y: Hilda.
X: My daughter.
Y: I didn’t know you were married, X.
X: I’m not, but that’s a long story.
Y: Yes, I promise. Good luck, X.
X: Sod on you, sir.
A possibility … perhaps the “sod” here (as you say) has nothing to do with the offensive word. So perhaps it’s the “sod” that means “a lump of soil.” They put sod on you when they bury you.
Is it possible that the “sod on you” was an ironic phrase among soldiers in some particular war, meaning “may you be buried” or, analogously, “may you be at peace"?
After much consideration, I've decided to select this answer as IMO it is the closest to what the author meant. Thanks for all the answers and the brainstorming! 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
You know, I have this strong impression this screenplay is still some soft of a draft. First I got the first version, this is the second. There is no movie, so I can assume somebody will be working on it.
And I think they SHOULD - not only this dialog is "wooden"... believe me.
Just you couldn't have that conversation. maybe??
X, I'm not, but thats a long story, "but if I tell you you have to keep it to yourself as I want to surprise her"??????
Y, Yes I promise, good luck
X, sod on you, sir ( he says in a low happy voice)
Nope. I mean, before they have this brief conversation, there was a trial of the X guy as he had slapped an officer. And he slapped the officer BECAUSE the Y guy had given X a certain order, which the slapped officer called a lie (more or less that's it). I've cut nothing from between the lines except for the names and after the "sod on you, sir" there is another scene completely unrelated.
There seams to be a line or two missing from the story.
X: I’m not, but that’s a long story. (>>>>>>)
Y: Yes, I promise. Good luck, X. ???????
X: Sod on you, sir.
I think that I'll just suggest some sort of translation, adding a suitable translator's note. Perhaps if they give me some more context... unfortunately, this is only a screenplay, no movie yet. so this maybe everything and nothing. :(
You've got some wierd text there! Normally, the expression is 'sod you', without the 'on' and although it's not impossible for it to be used ironically I don't think it's something a translator can decide on as it's certainly not normal/expected usage.
On one Polish forum, we came to a conclusion that perhaps it's an ironic (or the like) expression, like saying "break a leg" to wish somebody good luck. How does that sound to you?
It could be a typo for "Good on you", but it's difficult to be sure. It certainly doesn't make any sense (to me) as it is. Sounds like one to throw back at your client for clarification.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
4 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +4
typo for Good on you
Explanation: *
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 6 mins (2008-06-01 07:07:59 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Would make sense if the original text was handwritten
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 33 mins (2008-06-01 07:34:40 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
That's not really the issue. If it had been handwritten, then "Sod" might be a mis-reading of "Good"
Ian Davies Australia Local time: 11:23 Works in field Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: The screenplay is based on a novel. Does that count?
Asker: aaa... didn't quite get what you ment. well, unfortunately, it's in a txt file...
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +4
