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Explanation: They're clearly referring to the way words have travelled across the Channel, sometimes more than once, during the long and sometimes troubled "entente cordiale" between France and the UK. A fascinating topic.
Even if the meaning were valid, this ironic idea..
14:52 Jan 16
of 'barbequeue' traveling across the channel and back, the sentence on its own is not very clear, even in French. - The irony of the back and forth ???? without the explanation, isn't a clear thought. I think it would be a good idea to join it together with the sentence preceding or after, or even add some text if necessary, provide some more explanation. Basically, more context would help to suggest a clear translation.
I note that neither of Jason's (possibly related?) references for the etymology of the word "barbecue" offers detailed evidence of the asserted derivation. That is not to say that they are incorrect, merely that the assertions are not adequately backed by detailed etymological evidence.
I totally agree the info has to be passed to the client who would then decide to change or not his/her text. Depending on the kind of text one is translating, one would have to keep the "mistake in" because of the author´s particular stance.Etymology for one is a minefield . One has to be particularly diplomatic when passing on such queries to the author, when he/she is available.
If there is a possible mistake I always pass the info on to the client and it is the client's responsibility to act or not on it. But it is most assuredly the translator's responsibility to pass the info to the client.
which I am not, obviously, and it came to my attention the full truth about the origin of the word 'barbecue' , I would tell the translator, who would then perhaps tell the company, then perhaps end up in an email to the original writer. And perhaps the original writer would appreciate this comment who would then edit the text in order to avoid spreading incorrect information. As it stands, the text will remain as is and the original writer perhaps remains unaware of his or her incorrect information.
that 2+2=5 (no stigma intended here) and he wants it translated, would those who disagree that this should be pointed out say the same?
This is a piece of shoddy etymology of the kind of the very first attempts which should not be published. Full stop. The original etymology is an even better 'va et vient'. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&searc...
Unfortunately not from the French. Although there are millions of interesting words to choose from that did come from the French, so stay with those, shall we?
Why would anyone erase the comment? I don't think anyone here is in the process of suppressing the truth or disseminating mis-information. It is at least popular legend, if not historical fact and the author has the right to both write it and have it translated into English.
As translators, can we not point out inaccuracies?
11:17 Jan 15
I realize this has not closely related to the question at hand, but I think it's necessary to raise questions in this case. The phrase that has been written is incomplete regarding information. Should this be taken up with the original French writer? Wouldn't that be a responsible way of going about things? Are we just robots who can translate misinformation when it appears without questioning its validity? Indeed, this example is not life threatening nor does it contain dangerous intent. But what if it did? Or perhaps it involves misinformation concerning historical facts. Can we not act upon that or should we just let untruths idly pass by?
If this comment gets erased, it will imply that there are issues to be brought up with proz.com.
I do agree with you entirely on the translation. It's the explanation that leaves us with misinformation concerning the word, whether intended or not.
Incidentally, many people believe that barbeque actually derives from the French barbe à queue, that is, “from beard to tail”, signifying the whole of the pig being roasted. Leaving aside the question that pigs don’t have beards (though the allusion would work for goats), the true origin is well authenticated, and the story is just another example of folk etymology.
Etymological tennis, but the net is not just the Channel. The modern, vulgar, take on barbecue is "barbe et cul"....
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Answers
12 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +7
irony of the back-and-forth
Explanation: They're clearly referring to the way words have travelled across the Channel, sometimes more than once, during the long and sometimes troubled "entente cordiale" between France and the UK. A fascinating topic.
Sheila Wilson Spain Local time: 12:31 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 48
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +7