Glossary entry (derived from question below)
French term or phrase:
l'aube aux yeux de serpent
English translation:
the snake-eyed dawn
Added to glossary by
philgoddard
Apr 15, 2014 06:19
10 yrs ago
French term
l'aube aux yeux de serpent
Non-PRO
French to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
expression
Quel en est le sens et comment le traduire?
(Extrait du roman 'Fleur de tonnerre' p.211)
... Assise a la terrasse d'un modeste estaminet ou les domestiques du quartier aiment se retrouver tot les dimanches matin - jour de conge - , telle l'aube aux yeux de serpent, Fleur de tonnerre se renseigne aupres de sa voisine de table.
Merci d'avance.
(Extrait du roman 'Fleur de tonnerre' p.211)
... Assise a la terrasse d'un modeste estaminet ou les domestiques du quartier aiment se retrouver tot les dimanches matin - jour de conge - , telle l'aube aux yeux de serpent, Fleur de tonnerre se renseigne aupres de sa voisine de table.
Merci d'avance.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +1 | the snake-eyed dawn |
philgoddard
|
| 4 | menacing daybreak |
Katarina Peters
|
| 1 | The treacherous dawn |
Janice Giffin
|
Change log
Apr 20, 2014 16:27: philgoddard Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
+1
9 hrs
philgoddard
United States
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Selected
the snake-eyed dawn
I don't think you should try to interpret it by saying things like "menacing" or "treacherous". It's a metaphor, it works in English, and you should preserve it. I'm not sure what "telle" means here, though.
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks. I agree with you."
1 hr
Janice Giffin
Italy
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4
The treacherous dawn
Is this the novel about Hélène Jégado, the serial killer? I looked up the symbolism of snake eyes and found several entries for treachery and betrayal. Was she planning another poisoning? Let me know if I am o the right track.
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Note added at 1 hr (2014-04-15 08:06:51 GMT)
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Was Paul Eluard's poem translated into English, by any chance?
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Note added at 1 hr (2014-04-15 08:06:51 GMT)
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Was Paul Eluard's poem translated into English, by any chance?
Note from asker:
| Yes, you're on the right track! I think I've mat the expression in question from the poem of Paul Eluard, 20th centry french poet...(don't remember the title). So, should it be translated somehow poetically even literally, for example as 'dawn with snake eye'? |
| No, unfortunately I never saw that poem translated in English... |
5 hrs
Katarina Peters
Canada
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14
menacing daybreak
another suggestion
Discussion
In that case, the serpent as the one who seeks out its victim and seduces it knowing full well the consequences of its treachery.
'Serpent-eyed dawn' would be the closest, or maybe 'dawn with serpent eyes'.