This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Poetry & Literature

melody that brings neighbor into harmony with neighbor

English translation: my guess is...

08:01 May 16, 2005
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase: melody that brings neighbor into harmony with neighbor
The full sentence is:
Can we claim to have composed the elusive melody that brings neighbor into harmony with neighbor?

Is there any literary (or whatever) allusion (as I suspect)?
Dmytro Palets
Local time: 23:38
Selected answer:my guess is...
Explanation:
I think it might be a play on words, using the word harmony both in its meaning of good-will between neighbours, as well as in its musical sense.
Are they talking about real music being composed that appeals to a wide range of people, and so people wouldn't object if a neighbour plays it?
Selected response from:

Arcoiris
Local time: 21:38
Grading comment
A 'melody' in the passage seems to be a methaphor -- of something that influences people so that they begin to show kindness, patience, etc. to each other. But there probably could be some other piece of art or folklore(maybe, a fairy tale?) where such peace-giving melody (now actually a melody) is mentioned. My question is whether there is one or this metaphor was invented by the author of the passage himself.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +1my guess is...
Arcoiris
3I don't think so
Armorel Young


Discussion entries: 7





  

Answers


56 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
I don't think so


Explanation:
I'm not overly impressed by the quality of the original sentiment. Musically speaking, melodies don't create harmony - it's the chords or other harmonisation accompanying the melody that create harmony. The melody is the "top line", so to speak, and the harmony is in the other parts (usually). It sounds to me like a trite feel-good statement not written by anyone with any musical knowledge!

Armorel Young
Local time: 21:38
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 64
Grading comment
You seem to take things too literally, I'd say. Actually, musical knowledge (though I have some of it) has almost nothing to do with the undeniable fact that a melody _can_ create peace and harmony in human mind and soul. This is what the passage is about.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)
The asker has declined this answer
Comment: You seem to take things too literally, I'd say. Actually, musical knowledge (though I have some of it) has almost nothing to do with the undeniable fact that a melody _can_ create peace and harmony in human mind and soul. This is what the passage is about.

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
my guess is...


Explanation:
I think it might be a play on words, using the word harmony both in its meaning of good-will between neighbours, as well as in its musical sense.
Are they talking about real music being composed that appeals to a wide range of people, and so people wouldn't object if a neighbour plays it?

Arcoiris
Local time: 21:38
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
A 'melody' in the passage seems to be a methaphor -- of something that influences people so that they begin to show kindness, patience, etc. to each other. But there probably could be some other piece of art or folklore(maybe, a fairy tale?) where such peace-giving melody (now actually a melody) is mentioned. My question is whether there is one or this metaphor was invented by the author of the passage himself.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Alfa Trans (X)
3 days 5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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.

Return to KudoZ list

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.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search