KudoZ question not available
English translation: If only there weren't so many "what-ifs"
| 16:44 Oct 4, 2017 |
| Russian to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / frase follows | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||
|  Selected response from: Allison Keating Canada Local time: 20:38 | ||||
Grading comment
| |||||
Answers
15 mins confidence: 
if only there weren't so many "would haves"//what if there weren't so many "would haves" Explanation: The poem is about "I would have done this or that" - i.e. wishful thinking. One can pose it as a question: what if there weren't so many "would haves" eсли бы не было разных "бы", о которые мы расшибаем лбы. Герман Плисецкий http://katerinastone.beon.ru/44205-306-esli-by-ne-bylo-razny... -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 18 mins (2017-10-04 17:02:50 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Если бы не было разных "бы", о которые мы расшибаем лбы. *Ни рук моих не трогай, ни души, Твои прикосновения — как шрамы, Уедешь навсегда — мне не пиши! И не тревожь и так больную рану. Я не смогу как прежде жить и петь, И наслаждаться каждою секундой! И так стараться многое успеть, И радоваться жизни так безумно! И не смотри в глаза мне — не могу! Внутри меня — иголки и кинжалы, Не выдержу — я выйду, побегу К далеким поездам, чужим вокзалам! Лишь чувствовать твой запах — вот и все! Что мне для счастья в жизни этой нужно Уедешь — напиши одно письмо, И больше не тревожь больную душу. ************************************************** Я бы тебя на руки взял, я бы тебя взял и унес, тихо смеясь на твои "нельзя", вдыхая запах твоих волос. И, не насытившись трепетом тел, стуком в груди нарушая тишь, всё просыпался бы и глядел, плача от радости, как ты спишь. Я бы к тебе, как к ручью, приник, как в реку в тебя бы вгляделся я. Я бы за двести лет не привык к бездонной мысли, что ты моя. Если бы не было разных "бы", о которые мы расшибаем лбы. Герман Плисецкий |
| |
| Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) | ||
39 mins confidence:
If only there weren't so many "what-ifs" Explanation: Although I agree with Frank's rationale - I believe "what-ifs" is a better fit in this context. From literary contexts to popular culture references (song and movie titles) - "what-if" is a noun form that asks the reader to imagine what might have happened, if only.... It also conveys a sense of consternation/regret at never knowing what might have been, which fits with the sentiment of the following line: "...о которые мы расшибаем лбы". Reference: http://https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/what-if |
| |
Grading comment
| ||
| Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) | ||
1 hr confidence:
If only it wasn't one overwhelming conditional 'construction Explanation: If only it wasn't one overwhelming conditional 'construction Inhibiting any thought or any thinking function just playing but you cannot use this, of course, if you use a different register for the rest of the text |
| |
| Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) | ||
10 hrs confidence:
What Ifs Are As Boundless As the Stars, as if it were as easy as exploring the Mars Explanation: This is just my version, this is poetry, so I tried to avoid direct translation to render into English, but this might be a bit different translation, but this is also version. What Ifs Are As Boundless As the Stars, as if it were as easy as exploring the Mars -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 10 hrs (2017-10-05 03:28:06 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- если бы не было разных \"бы\" What Ifs Are As Boundless As the Stars, о которые мы расшибаем лбы as if it were as easy as exploring the Mars -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 10 hrs (2017-10-05 03:31:03 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- Exploring the Mars is not easy, but as if -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 10 hrs (2017-10-05 03:36:38 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- TYPO above: this is also a version should be -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 11 hrs (2017-10-05 04:42:46 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- The second version is: если бы не было разных \"бы\" if no "what ifs" in our life, let's say (let me say, we say) о которые мы расшибаем лбы over which we moon away |
| |
| Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) | ||
Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
KudoZ™ translation help
The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.
See also:
Search millions of term translations