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. French to English
  3. History

tache sisyphéenne

English translation: Sisyphean task / never-ending task

13:37 Nov 17, 2008
French to English translations [Non-PRO]
History
French term or phrase: tache sisyphéenne
this expression appears in a history chapter. What does it mean and how does it translate.

Thank you
Angie
English translation:Sisyphean task / never-ending task
Explanation:
Depending on whether literally referring to the mythological Sisyphus, or merely to some other pointless task.
Sisyphean task can be used in either context

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus

Today, Sisyphean can be used as an adjective meaning that an activity is unending and/or repetitive. It could also be used to refer to tasks that are pointless and unrewarding.

Selected response from:

Colin Rowe
Germany
Local time: 08:42
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3Sisyphean task
Jonathan MacKerron
5Sisyphean task
Rimas Balsys
4 +1sisyphean/ineffective/hopeless/futile
MurielP (X)
4Sisyphean task / never-ending task
Colin Rowe


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Sisyphean task


Explanation:
gets gaggles of googles

Jonathan MacKerron
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 6

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Catherine Gilsenan: Yes, Google it. Related to Greek Mythology. Neverending, uphill task, which Sisyphus was set.
3 mins
agree  Helen Shiner
16 mins
agree  rkillings
13 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Sisyphean task / never-ending task


Explanation:
Depending on whether literally referring to the mythological Sisyphus, or merely to some other pointless task.
Sisyphean task can be used in either context

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus

Today, Sisyphean can be used as an adjective meaning that an activity is unending and/or repetitive. It could also be used to refer to tasks that are pointless and unrewarding.



Colin Rowe
Germany
Local time: 08:42
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Sisyphean task


Explanation:
The English is literally 'Sisyphean task' and refers to the Greek myth of Sisyphus, who was compelled to roll a boulder up a mountain only to see it roll back down again, for all eternity. Check it out on Google or any mythology source.

Rimas Balsys
Local time: 23:42
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

19 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
sisyphean/ineffective/hopeless/futile


Explanation:
this refers to the myth of sisyphus by albert camus, so the choice of word very much depends on your text

The Myth Of Sisyphs is about a man condemned by the gods to push a boulder up a mountain for eternity, never able to reach the top. ...
www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/395290 - 58k

SISYPHEAN. Of or relating to an endless and ineffective task. This one comes straight out of Greek myth. Sisyphus was a king of Corinth, a son of Aeolus ...
www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-sis1.htm - 8k

MurielP (X)
Local time: 07:42
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  liz askew
27 mins
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