I love idioms. They can be colorful, sarcastic, and more often than none, impossible to translate in a different language.
The first idiom I encountered in English was When pigs fly. I was in my twenties slowly learning English when one of my friends said it. I understood the when, the pigs, and the fly, but I couldn't figure out how or when she switched the conversation to pink farm animals. She explained, but then she was also surprised we didn't use that expression to say never in French. I told her we do have a similar expression, which also features a farm animal. In French we say Quand les poules auront des dents, which translate to When hens will have teeth.
That's when I learned I couldn't translate idioms words for words. At the same time, it was fascinating to discover how two different languages use two different images to convey the same meaning, like:
Love at first sight is the equivalent to Coup de foudre (lightning strike) in French.
Once in a blue moon to Tous les trente-six du mois (every 36th of the month)
To feel under the weather to Ne pas être dans son assiette (not to be in one’s plate)
To mind one’s own business to S'occuper de ses oignons (to take care of one’s onions)
To have other fish to fry to Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter (to have other cats to whip)
To put in two cents to Mettre son grain de sel (to put one’s grain of salt)
It just goes to show that every language is truly unique and meanings can really get lost in the translation.
Happy reading & writing!
JS
The first idiom I encountered in English was When pigs fly. I was in my twenties slowly learning English when one of my friends said it. I understood the when, the pigs, and the fly, but I couldn't figure out how or when she switched the conversation to pink farm animals. She explained, but then she was also surprised we didn't use that expression to say never in French. I told her we do have a similar expression, which also features a farm animal. In French we say Quand les poules auront des dents, which translate to When hens will have teeth. That's when I learned I couldn't translate idioms words for words. At the same time, it was fascinating to discover how two different languages use two different images to convey the same meaning, like:
Love at first sight is the equivalent to Coup de foudre (lightning strike) in French.
Once in a blue moon to Tous les trente-six du mois (every 36th of the month)
To feel under the weather to Ne pas être dans son assiette (not to be in one’s plate)
To mind one’s own business to S'occuper de ses oignons (to take care of one’s onions)
To have other fish to fry to Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter (to have other cats to whip)
To put in two cents to Mettre son grain de sel (to put one’s grain of salt)
It just goes to show that every language is truly unique and meanings can really get lost in the translation.
Happy reading & writing!
JS
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I once heard an editor call idioms Idiots. She may have been right. Unfortunately, they are usually phrases once used are then repeated forever and become cliches. Keep writing
ReplyDeleteI once helped lead an ESL course. One evening, I said "You're pulling my leg!" in response to one of the student's remarks. Blank stares! Aha, a teaching opportunity, I thought. An interesting discussion ensued, comparing idioms in our respective languages. What a hoot!
ReplyDeleteIdioms are especially fun when writing time travels, when certain things haven't been invented.
ReplyDelete