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.
Italian to English translations [Non-PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / glossary/definitions | | Italian term or phrase: Si cambia la carrozzeria ma non il motore | Actually, I also found "Si cambia la carrozzeria, ma il motore e' rotto".
Does any idiom come to mind?
context is:
In quest’ottica i restyling degli ultimi anni insieme alle ricommercializzazioni hanno più il sapore di operazioni tattiche che strategiche. Si cambia la carrozzeria ma non il motore!
and we are talking about developing and renovating shopping malls. |
| darwilliamKudoZ activityQuestions: 84 (none open) ( 6 closed without grading) Answers: 201
| | Local time: 19:57
|
| | The wrapper can be changed, but not the contents | Explanation:
I would't knock myself out trying to find an idiomatic English equivalent, nor would I translate it literally because it would just sound stupid.I would translate it like this and move on !
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-06-17 13:02:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I said "wrapper" because we architects often call the external enclosure of a building the "wrapper" and the question is about buildings. "Packaging" sounds a bit too generic to my ears. |
| Selected response from:
 Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:57
| Grading comment perfect, thanks.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
| |
| Discussion entries: 0 |
|---|
Automatic update in 00:
|
5 mins confidence:   peer agreement (net): +2 It's just window-dressing
Explanation:
with a retail metaphor thrown in :)
|  Oliver Lawrence
Italy
Local time: 19:57
Works in field
Native speaker of:  English
PRO pts in category: 59
|
| |
6 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +2 The wrapper can be changed, but not the contents
Explanation:
I would't knock myself out trying to find an idiomatic English equivalent, nor would I translate it literally because it would just sound stupid.I would translate it like this and move on !
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2011-06-17 13:02:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I said "wrapper" because we architects often call the external enclosure of a building the "wrapper" and the question is about buildings. "Packaging" sounds a bit too generic to my ears.
| Tom in London
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:57
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
|
| | |
Return to KudoZ list
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | |
| 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. See also: Search millions of term translations  |
| |
The translation workplace 
