"pousser dans ses retranchements"

English translation: force the translator to use all his talent and resourcefulness (to meet the challenge)

18:33 Sep 21, 2007

French to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Linguistics / art/science of translation

French term or phrase: "pousser dans ses retranchements"

I have another 'abstract' to translate, from a thesis on .... translating. The student writes that considerable difficulties are found at the comprehension stage: the source text may contain intentional/unintentional ambiguities of language etc, but also there are the difficulties of translating cultural references, proper nouns, sociolects etc. As a result, he says:"Ces obstacles poussent le traducteur dans ses retranchements". My dictionary only gives "back to the wall", which seems to me to be excessive as well as not the right register. I had thought of "These obstacles are the ultimate challenge to the translator". I'd be very grateful for your comments and suggestions.
Thanks in advance!

katsy KudoZ activity Questions: 24 (none open) Answers: 1159
Local time: 18:21

English translation:force the translator to use all his talent and resourcefulness (to meet the challenge)

Explanation:
These obstacles force the translator to use all his talent and resourcefulness (to meet the challenge).

Let's face it, translation is a mixture of one part inspiration and two parts perspiration. Why not include the concept of "talent"?

Selected response from:

Paul Cohen
Greenland
Local time: 15:21

Grading comment

This is the one I think! Will give the student the choice of including 'talent', (the thesis being of somewhat scientific precision) but I like your whole sentence best, and agree with your sentiment about talent!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +1

these tasks really put a translator to the test

Jim Tucker (X)

3 +1

stretches his skills/resourcefulness to the limit

siragui

3 +1

force the translator to use all his talent and resourcefulness (to meet the challenge)

Paul Cohen

place him well and truly on his mettle

CMJ_Trans (X)

forced to use last resorts

Emma Paulay

Discussion entries: 3

Answers

8 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

these tasks really put a translator to the test

Explanation:
these things really show a translator's mettle

I would avoid "ultimate challenge" as hyperbolic

Jim Tucker (X)
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English

Notes to answerer

Asker: yes, "hyperbolic" was my feeling too

Asker: Thanks Jim

47 mins confidence:

forced to use last resorts

Explanation:
The CR says "to be driven into a corner" so I'm trying to stick to the original. Maybe you could say his options are limited, that he is disarmed. Perhpas he's saying that faced with these problems, the translator has only instinct to fall back on.

Incidentally, nearly all the refs I've found are for "DERNIERS retranchements". It seems to be the set phrase.

Emma Paulay
France
Local time: 18:21
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8

Notes to answerer

Asker: Hi Emma - yes, that's what I saw 'derniers' retranchements too.... et pourtant, c'est un Français!

Asker: Thanks Emma

6 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

stretches his skills/resourcefulness to the limit

Explanation:
Off the top of my head, to get the ball rolling.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 hrs (2007-09-22 07:33:33 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Sorry, should be (these obstacles) "stretch" -- I forgot what the subject was when I was typing my answer. As for "to the utmost", only you can say if your writer wants to go that far ("to the breaking point" is also possible). It might be better to scale back the emphasis, and simply put "test the translator's resourcefulness". (The original doesn't say "dans ses derniers retranchements", after all.)

siragui
Local time: 18:21
Native speaker of:

English

Notes to answerer

Asker: Insofar as this one of the major ideas is 'the limits' of translation, I have a pb with limits - otherwise I like your suggestion.. how about "to the utmost"?

Asker: Many thanks for your comments

16 hrs confidence:

place him well and truly on his mettle

Explanation:
also

CMJ_Trans (X)
Local time: 18:21
Specializes in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 32

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thanks CMJ

17 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

force the translator to use all his talent and resourcefulness (to meet the challenge)

Paul Cohen
Greenland
Local time: 15:21
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Notes to answerer

Asker: oops, forgot my manners! Thanks Paul

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"pousser dans ses retranchements"

English translation: force the translator to use all his talent and resourcefulness (to meet the challenge)

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