Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
ce qui fait l'humain
English translation:
(with the best of) what a human being can be,
Added to glossary by
Silvia Brandon-Pérez
Jun 18, 2007 10:54
17 yrs ago
6 viewers *
French term
ce qui fait l'humain
French to English
Art/Literary
History
Hi everyone
This is talking about the "Justes", the Righteous who saved Jews during the war. I'm having trouble succinctly wording "ce qui fait l'humain" :
"Ils se sont dressés contre l'infamie d'un simple geste mais un geste qui en les inscrivant ** au meilleur de ce qui fait l'humain ** rédimait l'humanité même."
So far I have "...by ranking them among a human's finest qualities, redeemed humanity itself." Not happy with it!
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
This is talking about the "Justes", the Righteous who saved Jews during the war. I'm having trouble succinctly wording "ce qui fait l'humain" :
"Ils se sont dressés contre l'infamie d'un simple geste mais un geste qui en les inscrivant ** au meilleur de ce qui fait l'humain ** rédimait l'humanité même."
So far I have "...by ranking them among a human's finest qualities, redeemed humanity itself." Not happy with it!
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
Proposed translations
(English)
Change log
Jul 3, 2007 14:33: Silvia Brandon-Pérez Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
5 hrs
Silvia Brandon-Pérez
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Precise and on time; lawyer/writer.
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, French to English, and 7 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
(with the best of) what a human being can be,
... with the best of what a human being can be, redeemed humanity itself.
Another option
Another option
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for all your help. This is a simple sentence but tricky to word and your suggestions are quite inspired, making it difficult to choose. Thanks Silviantonia and everyone."
10 mins
Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
35
that which {makes you human}/{constitutes humanity}
tempted to say "humane" but don't think it quite fits here
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2007-06-18 11:05:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
slightly less awkward: what makes you human
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2007-06-18 11:05:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
slightly less awkward: what makes you human
12 mins
French term (edited):
ce qui fait l\\\'humain
among the best of humankind
un geste qui en les inscrivant ** au meilleur de ce qui fait l'humain ** rédimait l'humanité même."
a gesture that, by placing them right among the best of humankind, served to redeem humanity.
a gesture that, by placing them right among the best of humankind, served to redeem humanity.
+2
16 mins
at the risk of infelicitous repetition
I don't think you can say "by ranking THEM among a human's finest qualities". The French is a little elliptic, and I too am having trouble formulating a solution ...
an act which, by ranking them among those who have done the very best humanity can do, redeemed humanity ...
You might want to play with "Man" and "Mankind" to avoid repetition.
an act which, by bringing out the very best of Mankind, redeemed humanity itself
and act which, placing their endeavours among the best actions humanity can perform, ...
You might want to work in "Man" or "Mankind" to avoid repetition.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2007-06-18 11:14:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry. Looking at the question again, I realize I misread "qui" for "que". And I have not been able to hide this answer, for some reason.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 mins (2007-06-18 11:17:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Second attempt: ... which, by firmly placing them on the good side of what constitutes humanity, ...
My favourite so far: ... by asserting the most positive of human qualities ...
an act which, by ranking them among those who have done the very best humanity can do, redeemed humanity ...
You might want to play with "Man" and "Mankind" to avoid repetition.
an act which, by bringing out the very best of Mankind, redeemed humanity itself
and act which, placing their endeavours among the best actions humanity can perform, ...
You might want to work in "Man" or "Mankind" to avoid repetition.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 mins (2007-06-18 11:14:19 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Sorry. Looking at the question again, I realize I misread "qui" for "que". And I have not been able to hide this answer, for some reason.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 mins (2007-06-18 11:17:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Second attempt: ... which, by firmly placing them on the good side of what constitutes humanity, ...
My favourite so far: ... by asserting the most positive of human qualities ...
8 hrs
French term (edited):
en les inscrivant au meilleur de ce qui fait l'humain
in elevating them to the highest level of humankind
Something along these lines, maybe.
Something went wrong...