https://www.proz.com/kudoz/english-to-tamil/other/350350-i-do-not-speak-tamil.html

I do not speak Tamil.

18:53 Jan 24, 2003
English to Tamil translations [Non-PRO]
English term or phrase: I do not speak Tamil.
Said by somebody without the ability to speak Tamil.
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Summary of answers provided
5"Enakku Thamizh paesa varaadhu." or 'Enakku Thamizh paesa theriyaadhu."
gopalan balachandhran


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


6 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
"Enakku Thamizh paesa varaadhu." or 'Enakku Thamizh paesa theriyaadhu."


Explanation:
The literal translation of " I do not speak Tamil" will be "Naan Thamizhil paesa maatten".

The exact rendering in English of each of the Tamil versions above is, "I don't have the ability to speak Tamil." and "I don't know to speak Tamil.", respectively.

Since the words are told by a person not having the ability to speak Tamil, either of these will be more appropriate, rather than a literal translation.

gopalan balachandhran
India
Local time: 07:10
Native speaker of: Tamil
PRO pts in pair: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Rajan Chopra: perfect as these versions also express the inability to speak Tamil
225 days
  -> Thank you Langclinic.

disagree  _prowess_: "naan tamizhil pesamattaen " or "nan tamil pesuvadu illai " will be more apt. since the sentence in english doesn't support any regret or inablity by the person to speak in tamil. might be the person doesn't want to communicate in tamil.
904 days
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