al limite dell'imbarazzo

English translation: on the verge of embarassment

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Italian term or phrase:al limite dell'imbarazzo
English translation:on the verge of embarassment

19:16 Jun 3, 2014
    The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2014-06-06 20:54:11 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)


Italian to English translations [PRO]
Media / Multimedia / paparazzi
Italian term or phrase: al limite dell'imbarazzo
Hi everyone!

I'm translating an article about paparazzi. I came across a sentence that reads:

"Spesso le situazioni riportate sono al limite dell'imbarazzo"

My translation
"Often the reported situations are at the limit of embarassment" ?

Thanks
nhorma
Local time: 13:37
on the verge of embarassment
Explanation:
It isn't nearly as common as the Italian phrase, but is nevertheless perfectly natural English IMHO.

https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&=&q="on t...
Selected response from:

James (Jim) Davis
Seychelles
Local time: 16:37
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2on the verge of embarassment
James (Jim) Davis
5reach the point of embarrassment
Nick Youldon
4 +1stretching the limits/notion of (conventional) decency
Michael Korovkin
4on the brink of embarrassment/discomfort
Monia Calviello
3almost embarrassing...
Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


34 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
al limite dell\'imbarazzo
on the brink of embarrassment/discomfort


Explanation:
"The reported situations are often teetering on the brink of embarrassment."

Monia Calviello
France
Local time: 13:37
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
on the verge of embarassment


Explanation:
It isn't nearly as common as the Italian phrase, but is nevertheless perfectly natural English IMHO.

https://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&=&q="on t...

James (Jim) Davis
Seychelles
Local time: 16:37
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Dana Rinaldi
23 mins

agree  Shera Lyn Parpia
17 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

17 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
al limite dell\'imbarazzo
almost embarrassing...


Explanation:
lo tradurrei così (da un non madrelingua)...

Giovanni Guarnieri MITI, MIL
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:37
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
reach the point of embarrassment


Explanation:
How far does the behaviour go (presuming we are talking about the behaviour of paparazzi.

Nick Youldon
Local time: 13:37
Native speaker of: English
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
stretching the limits/notion of (conventional) decency


Explanation:
... Poco a che fare con il significato del "embarassment" in inglese come sarebbe usato nel caso di paparazzi. Almeno penso...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 hrs (2014-06-04 16:04:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Paparazzi cannot be embarassed by definition: they are the epitome of la faccia tosta. So who is getting emarassed there, the "targets"? They usually get pissed off rather than embarassed :)

Michael Korovkin
Italy
Local time: 13:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yarri K: it seems to me that the idea in Italian is best conveyed by this formulation
16 hrs
  -> thanks!
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:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search