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Glossary entry

French term or phrase:

ou s'en étant abstenus ont déclaré ne savoir

English translation:

or have declined, declaring themselves unable to do so

    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2009-11-20 17:03:40 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
Nov 17, 2009 00:07
14 yrs ago
19 viewers *
French term

ou s'en étant abstenus ont déclaré ne savoir

French to English Other Certificates, Diplomas, Licenses, CVs Marriage certificate
Dear fellow translators,

Here is the context:

Les susnommés ont déclaré vouloir se prendre pour époux.
En foi de quoi nous les avons unis par les liens du mariage.
Ont signé avec nous (***ou s'en étant abstenus ont déclaré ne savoir***).

I have found the German equivalent at:
http://fra.proz.com/kudoz/french_to_german/certificates_dipl...

Many thanks in advance as always.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +4 or have declined, declaring themselves unable (to write)
3 or they did not, declaring not to be able to

Discussion

Chris Hall (asker) Nov 18, 2009:
In response... What I meant (maybe in a clumsy manner) was that your answer was my preferred answer out of the two answers given. I myself could not think of anything better, apart from tweaking the end of your suggestion to "or have declined, declaring themselves unable to do so".

I agree that in translation, there is *sometimes* nothing such as a perfect translation. However, I believe that yours came very close.
Martin Cassell Nov 18, 2009:
mmmm .... actually, that's the opposite of the point I was making. I simply don't believe in the concept of the one single, definitive answer.

but if my contribution helped, I'm glad.
Chris Hall (asker) Nov 17, 2009:
I have no problems with your answer Martin... Don't worry Martin. Both me and you know that you have provided a flawless answer, which makes perfect sense and respects the French.
Martin Cassell Nov 17, 2009:
Following on from writeaway's observation ... Yes, my suggestion is very close to the selected DE answer*; both are meant as close/faithful translations, with the overriding aim of explaining the denotative/pragmatic meaning of the source phrase. In the FR-DE question, a second answer was also offered with a communicative translation in the form of a standard DE legalese phrase appropriate to the same circumstance. Either type of answer might be thought valid, depending on purpose and readership as well as the translator's professional discretion and judgement.
__
* but do two identical solutions to a crossword automatically give rise to charges of plagiarism? ;-)
Chris Hall (asker) Nov 17, 2009:
Many thanks Martin for your invaluable help... I went for "or have declined, declaring themselves unable to do so".

I honestly believe that Martin's answer is spot on. 4 points will be awarded for this answer.
Chris Hall (asker) Nov 17, 2009:
Suggestion... "or have declined, declaring themselves unable to do so"

Any thoughts?
Chris Hall (asker) Nov 17, 2009:
Hi Martin The marriage certificate is from Senegal, the region and city of Dakar. Many thanks.
Martin Cassell Nov 17, 2009:
Which country is this from?

Proposed translations

+4
13 mins
Selected

or have declined, declaring themselves unable (to write)

that's the sense of it; some of the witnesses are illiterate
Note from asker:
This is a great answer and makes perfect sense. I doubt that a better and clearer answer will be proposed. Do you think "to write" needs to be included at the end or not?
Spot on Martin. Many thanks for your great help.
Peer comment(s):
agree roneill : Maybe "unable to do so" would be an option instead of "unable to write"
1 hr
thanks. indeed, various phrasings would be possible: adding "(to write)" to my version was meant as an explicitation; final variation is down to asker's judgement
agree Jessica Noyes
1 hr
thanks Jessica
agree writeaway : accurate translation of the German
5 hrs
:-) thanks w/a (vide discussion)
agree Jenn Mercer : I have seen this myself.
5 hrs
thanks Jenn
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Many thanks Martin. Much appreciated. Kind regards, Chris."
13 mins

or they did not, declaring not to be able to

Formula utilized when the persons subscribing a document cannot write. Is the document from Haiti?
Note from asker:
No, it is from Senegal. It is a Senegalese marriage certificate.
Many thanks for your answer. In the end, I chose the wording of Martin's answer as being the most accurate.
Something went wrong...
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