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C'est en faisant n'importe quoi, qu'on devient n'importe qui

English translation: The best way to become a p* artist is by p*ing around

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13:32 May 23, 2008

French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Cinema, Film, TV, Drama / Comedy

French term or phrase: C'est en faisant n'importe quoi, qu'on devient n'importe qui

This is the slogan of a French comic/spoof artist called Remi Gaillard. (I highly recommend his videos if you have time for a laugh!!)

I've translated this as:
'it’s only by doing the completely ridiculous that you become a ridiculous nobody like me'

but I'd love some other suggestions please!

The idea is that he's still not famous despite the outrageousness nature of his stunts.

Amy Cheshire KudoZ activity Questions: 5 (none open) (1 closed without grading) Answers: 104
Local time: 23:27

English translation:The best way to become a p*** artist is by p***ing around

Explanation:
sorry but that's more the register

The best way to become a spoof (?) artist is by spoofing around

Selected response from:

xxxCMJ_Trans
Local time: 23:27

Grading comment

Thank you for all the contributions. I like the structure of this translation best.
Although I think I might replace p*** artist by fool (so thanks also to Equinimod).
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +3

It's only by doing whatever that you end up being whoever.

arrathoonlaa

3 +2

The nonsense you have to go through to become a complete nonentity...

Andy Bliss

When you do whatever, you become whomever.

xxxSpeakering

3 +2

It's by doing just anything that you become just anyone

Emma Paulay

3 +2

The best way to become a p*** artist is by p***ing around

xxxCMJ_Trans

It's by doing anything that you become something

Basak Balkan

it's only by mucking /fooling around, that you end up a nobody like me

bcsantos

To become a somebody or other, you have to do something or other

Dylan Edwards

if you don't achieve something remarkable you will never be someone

Tassia Karam

To become anyone, you have to be prepared to do (just about) anything

Carol Gullidge

fooling about makes just a fool

Euqinimod

3 -1

You can only become just anybody if you'll do just about anything

Susan Nicholls

Discussion entries: 2

Answers

10 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

The best way to become a p*** artist is by p***ing around

Explanation:
sorry but that's more the register

The best way to become a spoof (?) artist is by spoofing around

xxxCMJ_Trans
Local time: 23:27
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 23

Grading comment

Thank you for all the contributions. I like the structure of this translation best.
Although I think I might replace p*** artist by fool (so thanks also to Equinimod).

Notes to answerer

Asker: the humour is definitely in this vane!

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

C\'est en faisant n\'importe quoi, qu\'on devient n\'importe qui It's by doing just anything that you become just anyone

Explanation:
Another way.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2008-05-23 13:37:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Do any old thing, become any old guy...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 34 mins (2008-05-23 14:07:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

If you fool around, you get taken for a fool.

Emma Paulay
France
Local time: 23:27
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

39 mins confidence:

it's only by mucking /fooling around, that you end up a nobody like me

Explanation:
Another option.

bcsantos
Gibraltar
Local time: 23:27
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English,

Spanish
PRO pts in category: 8

42 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): -1

You can only become just anybody if you'll do just about anything

Explanation:
A twist on the last response.

Susan Nicholls
Local time: 07:27
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 11

48 mins confidence:

fooling about makes just a fool

Explanation:
Or something along those lines, since in French it is inspired from "c'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron", the equivalent in English being : "practice makes perfect", at least what is given by the R&C.

Euqinimod
Local time: 23:27
Works in field
Native speaker of:

French
PRO pts in category: 7

53 mins confidence:

It's by doing anything that you become something

Explanation:
I like the symmetry

Basak Balkan
Belgium
Local time: 23:27
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Turkish,

English

2 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

It's only by doing whatever that you end up being whoever.

Language variant: If you screw around enough, finally you get to be a total screwup.

Explanation:
This would be a perfect rendering in Michigan, where we have the idiom "whatever," meaning roughly, "I don't give a damn." For example, your mate or parent makes an unwelcome suggestion, you reply, "whatever!" It's just that I think this way of thinking is only valid in this part of the country.

arrathoonlaa
Local time: 17:27
Native speaker of:

English

3 hrs confidence:

To become anyone, you have to be prepared to do (just about) anything

Explanation:

You could easily remove ""be prepared to", but I feel that this adds an emphasis that is otherwise partly lost

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:27
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 15

4 hrs confidence:

if you don't achieve something remarkable you will never be someone

Explanation:
in other words, do something remarkable so people would recognize you and talk about you. That's another option for you, hope it helps

Tassia Karam
France
Local time: 23:27
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English

4 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

The nonsense you have to go through to become a complete nonentity...

Explanation:
It's an amusing phrase, with probably as many different possible translations as there are translators out there. It must be fun for you doing this translation!

Andy Bliss
Local time: 23:27
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

4 hrs confidence:

To become a somebody or other, you have to do something or other

Explanation:
An attempt to match his n'importe, n'importe...
You could carry this "... or other" to maddening, ridiculous extremes.

Dylan Edwards
Local time: 22:27
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

6 hrs confidence:

When you do whatever, you become whomever.

Language variant: It is by horsing/clowning around that one becomes nobody.

Explanation:
nice quote

xxxSpeakering
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Macedonian,

Serbo-Croat
PRO pts in category: 4

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C'est en faisant n'importe quoi, qu'on devient n'importe qui

English translation: The best way to become a p* artist is by p*ing around

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C'est en faisant n'importe quoi, qu'on devient n'importe qui

English translation: The best way to become a p*** artist is by p***ing around

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

English translation: The best way to become a p* artist is by p*ing around

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