Just like shooting...

Translation is never easy. There are so many words and expressions in any given language that reflect something peculiar to its culture, that finding an equivalent in a different tongue becomes nigh on impossibile.

Sometimes, though, one finds an expression whose sense is obvious, but which must be modified for local norms.

Translating an article on Viva Zapatero! (for the upcoming edition of Three Monkeys Online), the anti-censorship documentary by Sabina Guzzanti, I came across the following: "La critica a Berlusconi sarebbe stata troppo scontata, anche perché a questo punto sarebbe forse troppo semplice …una sparatoria contro l’ambulanza!"

Holy God! Criticism, Berlusconi, shooting at an ambulance [una sparatoria contro l'ambulanza!] - the pulse quickened.

In effect, though, the translation is
"Criticism of Berlusconi would have been too predictable, and perhaps to easy … like shooting fish in a barrel!"

It's a funny auld thing, language. You want to say 'nothing could be easier', and you end up shooting at entrapped fish and emergency services.

On a related theme, Napoli recently carried out an anti-terrorism exercise, testing the readiness of the city's emergency services in the case of a terrorist attack. As with previous drills carried out in Milan and Rome, the exercise was hyper-realistic with fires and smoke being created and with actors playing the horrificly injured.

During the exercise five people were injured when two ambulances collided.

How do you translate 'food for thought'?

Posted by 3Monkeys at

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