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| | 1 Януари 2009 16:51 |
| | Although I do not know the original context of the sentence,I think the translation is not correct. "Idiocy" refers spontaneously to something that would be interior to the narrator (=lack of intelligence) whereas I think he means that we live with stupid things around us (stupid environment or whatever, it is not precise at all), and therefore are external to the persona. |
| | 1 Януари 2009 20:29 |
| | Sorry, dunya_guzel, but "idiocy" also refers to stupid things around us, not just inside us. For example, if I seem some of the people around my neighbourhood trying to drive on the ice and snow without the proper tires and without any knowledge of how to handle a car in these conditions, I may say, "What idiocy!!", just as one might say, "Τι μαλακίες" in Greek. CC: dunya_guzel |
| | 1 Януари 2009 20:53 |
| | I thought that "avec des bêtises"# "with idiocy"
However
according to
1)Concise Oxford English Dictionary
“idiocy†means 'extremely stupid behaviour'.
2)Merriam-Webster Collegiate® Dictionary
a) usually offensive : extreme mental retardation
b) something notably stupid or foolish
3) Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
something that you think is extremely silly or stupid [= stupidity]:
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| | 1 Януари 2009 21:40 |
| | i believe that 'foolishness' is a better translation for 'des bêtises' |
| | 1 Януари 2009 21:54 |
| | Hi everyone. I'm a native speaker of North American English, and I would never say "foolishness" - I don't see what's wrong with "idiocy" - it's what I would say. But if it's too strong for you, how about "stupidity"? CC: Lovelanguage=) elina7lina dunya_guzel lilian canale |
| | 1 Януари 2009 22:10 |
| | Hi girls,
The term "idiocy" sounds perfectly right to me too, but the problem here seems to be de accuracy about the 'intensity' the Greek 'bêtises' has.
Let's ask for some help, OK? CC: Lovelanguage=) elina7lina irini reggina |
| | 1 Януари 2009 22:15 |
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| | 1 Януари 2009 22:36 |
| | "faire des bêtises" ou "faire des idioties" ont le même sens en français. It's the same way |
| | 2 Януари 2009 04:28 |
| | I think the translation is ok, but I would appreciate punctuation, even though the original text uses none. |
| | 2 Януари 2009 04:41 |
| | So why would you appreciate punctuation, superfaco? If I add punctuation, wouldn't I be also adding an interpretation which may be incorrect? For example, if I add punctuation, I have to decide whether this is a complete sentence or part of a sentence, don't I?
CC: superfaco |
| | 2 Януари 2009 11:51 |
| | Kafetzou: How would you say spontaneously in English "malakies?" It is slang greek, almost vulgar.
"Idiocy" is not as intense and too "politically correct" |
| | 2 Януари 2009 19:07 |
| | Idiocy can be very intense when used by somewhat who is angry. That's why I chose it. Look at my example in my first post above.
The problem is that we have lots of words for the person "malakas", but for the abstract noun "malakies", there are fewer choices. But I still think "idiocy" and "stupidity" are good choices. |
| | 3 Януари 2009 05:43 |
| | Would most of you guys be happier with "stupidity"? I still think it's equivalent, so I don't really care.
Today I was listening to a young woman on the bus talking about some of the drivers around Vancouver, and she referred to them as "idiots", so there you go. |