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a fonte dos meus olhos que eu não queria

English translation: my eyes an unwanted fountain

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01:25 Jan 11, 2011

Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Fado

Portuguese term or phrase: a fonte dos meus olhos que eu não queria

Hello, everyone! I have a very limited knowledge of Portuguese, but like fado very much. Trying to translate some lyrics, namely from "Chaves da vida"

Context:

Eu tinha as chaves da vida e fui roubada
mataram dentro de mim toda a poesia
deixaram-me a tristeza que há no fado
e a fonte dos meus olhos que eu não queria

Again, having trouble with the last line. "Left me with the sadness that is found in fate" but then she loses me.

dennis_bg KudoZ activity Questions: 2 (none open) Answers: 206
Local time: 20:47

English translation:my eyes an unwanted fountain

Explanation:
This is a quite literal translation for understanding each word, but if I were to actually translate the poem for a publication for example I would go for, "my eyes an unwanted fountain of tears" although the actual tears are not mentioned in the original Portuguese, they are merely suggested by the fountain/font metaphor.

Selected response from:

Catarina Aleixo
Local time: 01:47

Grading comment

Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +2

my eyes an unwanted fountain

Catarina Aleixo

My eyes a fountain I had not wished for

Daniela de Oliveira

my unwanted crying eyes/the crying eyes that I never wanted

Erik Bry

and unwanted teary/watery eyes

Jorge & Julie Soares

my eyes cry unwelcome tears

Marian Vieyra

1 +1

and my eyes have become founts of tears that flow unbidden down my cheeks

Robert Forstag

Discussion entries: 5

Answers

23 mins confidence:

and unwanted teary/watery eyes

Explanation:
That's the way i woud put it. It's concise, faithful to the sense and suits the short way of expression needed in this case. Also contribute to the "sadness"/disappointment message/tone to continue to flow.

Good work!

Jorge & Julie Soares
Local time: 01:47
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English,

Portuguese
PRO pts in category: 8

1 hr confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

and my eyes have become founts of tears that flow unbidden down my cheeks

Explanation:
An idea.

Boa sorte.

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 20:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

5 hrs confidence:

my unwanted crying eyes/the crying eyes that I never wanted

Explanation:
how I'd say it

Erik Bry
Local time: 18:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

7 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

my eyes an unwanted fountain

Catarina Aleixo
Local time: 01:47
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

Thanks!

7 hrs confidence:

my eyes cry unwelcome tears

Explanation:
or unwelcome tears fall from my eyes....

Marian Vieyra
United Kingdom
Local time: 01:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English

9 hrs confidence:

My eyes a fountain I had not wished for

Explanation:
A suggestion. :-)

Daniela de Oliveira
Local time: 01:47
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

Portuguese

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a fonte dos meus olhos que eu não queria

English translation: my eyes an unwanted fountain

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a fonte dos meus olhos que eu não queria

English translation: my eyes an unwanted fountain

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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.

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.