***TRY MY NEW FREE SPANISH LESSON LESSON BASED ON SHAKIRA'S PIENSO EN TI ***
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Spanish-English-French Bilingual Short Story
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SPANISH TRANSLATION
Unknown |
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Simpetweb (that's me!) 2014 NOTE: Unintentionally, Ive been looking to both the left and the right when doing this so it's going to be a bit of a mix of both the French and Spanish versions. |
FRENCH ORIGINAL
Guillaume Apollonaire 1910 |
PARA 1
El bergantín holandés Alkmaar regresaba de Java cargado de especias y otras mercancías preciosas. ......................... ~Regresar = [to return/ to come back] = [revenir] ~Cargado = [loaded] = [Chargé] ~Especias = [spices] |
PARA 1
The dutch brigantine The Alkmaar, was returning from Java, loaded with spices and other precious goods. .................. ~Brigantine = two masted ship ~Was returning = PRETERIT CONTINUOUS of to return: you/we/they were returning - I/(he/she/it/one) was returning |
PARA 1
Le brick hollandais, l'Alkmaar, revenait de Java, chargé d'épices et d'autres matières précieuses. ........................... ~Brick = [brigantine] ~Revenait = [was returning] III per sing of Revenir in the IMPARFAIT ~Chargé = [loaded] ~Epices = [spices] |
PARA 2
Hizo escala en Southampton, y a los marineros se les dio permiso para bajar a tierra. ...................... ~Hacer escala = [to call at/ to stop off at (plane/boat)] ~Dar = [to give] NOTE: dio [gave] is the the 3rd pers sing of dar in the PRETERITO ~Bajar = [to take down/ to get off (as in bus)/ to disembark (as in boat)/ to drop (as in price)/ to reduce/ to lower/ to unzip/ to download/ to descend/ to go down] VERB: INFINITIVO |
PARA 2
She stopped off ((called)) at Southampton, and the sailors got their permission to go ashore. ........................ ~Stopped off = PRETERIT of to stop off: I/you/we/they/(he/she/it/one) stopped off ~got = PRETERIT of to get: I/you/we/they/(he/she/it/one) got. |
PARA 2
Il fit escale à Southampton, et les matelots eurent permission de descendre à terre. .................... ~fit escale = [called off at/ stopped off at] III pers sing of Faire Escale in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~matelots = [sailors/ seamen] ~eurent = [had] III pers plur of Avoir in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~descendre = [to go down/ to descend] INFINITIF |
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PARA 3
Uno de ellos, Hendrijk Wersteeg, llevaba un mono sobre el hombro derecho, un loro sobre el izquierdo y, en bandolera, un fardo de telas indias que tenía intención de vender en la ciudad, junto con los animales. ........................ ~Llevaba = [was.carrying/ was.taking/ was.bringing] 1st pers sing of llevar in the IMPERFECTO ~Loro = [parrot/ hag/ freak] ~En bandolera = [over the shoulder] ~Fardo = [package/ bundle] ~Telas = [fabrics/ clothings] ~Tenia = [was.having/ had] 3rd sing of tener in the IMPERFECTO ~Vender = [to sell] VERB: INFINITIVO |
PARA 3
One of them, Hendrijk Wersteeg, took off with him a monkey carried upon his right shoulder and a parrot upon his left, and, bundled with a strap, a bale of Indian fabrics that he had the intention of selling once in town, along with the animals. ........................ ~Took off = PRETERIT of to take off (with one): -I took off with me -You took off with you -He took off with him -She took off with her -It took off with it -We took off with us -They took off them ~Had = PRETERIT of to have: I/you/we/they/(he/she/it/one) had. |
PARA 3
L'un d'eux, Hendrijk Wersteeg, emportait un singe sur l'épaule droite, un perroquet sur l'épaule gauche, et, en bandoulière, un ballot de tissus indiens qu'il avait l'intention de vendre dans la ville ainsi que ses animaux. ........................... ~Emportait = [was.carrying.away] III pers sing of Emporter in the IMPARFAIT ~Perroquet = [parrot] ~Bandouliere = [strap] ~En bandouliere = [over the shoulder] ~Ballot = [bundle/ bale] ~Avait = [had/ was having] III pers sing of Avoir in the IMPARFAIT ~Vendre = [to sell] INFINITIF ~Ainsi que = [as well as/ along with/ just as] |
PARA 4
Era a principios de primavera, y la noche caía todavía temprano. Hendrijk Wersteeg caminaba a paso ligero por las calles algo brumosas que la luz de gas apenas iluminaba. El marinero pensaba en su próximo regreso a Amsterdam, en su madre, a la que no había visto en tres años, en su prometida, que le esperaba en Monikedam. Sopesaba el dinero que conseguiría de los animales y de las telas y buscaba una tienda en donde vender tales mercancías exóticas. ............................ NOTE: there is a lot of verbs in the IMPERFECTO in this story. It might be helpful to use this general rule that I came up with when identifying this tense. "abba's (aba) ears (ia) are IMPERFECT." the aba and the ia are of course almost always contained within the suffix's for this tense. Note: there are one or two exceptions like era below, which is irregular. Note: does not apply when they follow an r. ~Era = [(it) was] 3rd person singular of ser in the IMPERFECTO ~A principios = [around the beginning of] NOTE: the difference between this and al principio [at the beginning of] see this page ~Caia = [was.falling/ was.drawing.in (as in night)] 3rd pers sing of caer in the IMPERFECTO (note the ia) ~Brumoso = [foggy/ hazy] ~Apenas = [hardly/ scarcely/ barely] ~Pensaba = [was.thinking] the addition of en turns this into 'was thinking about.' This is different to pensar de [to think of (as in to have an opinion of)]. See this page. ~Regreso = [return] ~Habia Visto = [had seen] 3rd pers sing of ver in the PLUSCUAMPERFECTO. ~Prometida = [fiancéé (LIT: promised one] ~Esperaba = [was.waiting for] 3rd pers sing of esperar in the IMPERFECTO ~Sopesaba = [(he) was weighing up (in his mind)] 3rd pers sing of sopesar in the IMPERFECTO ~Conseguiria = [(he) would.get/ would.obtain] 3rd pers sing of conseguir in the CONDICIONAL. ~Buscaba = [was.searching.for] 3rd pers sing of buscar in the IMPERFECTO |
PARA 4
It was the start of spring, and the nights were still drawing in quite early. Hendrijt Wersteeg walked at a good pace through the somewhat foggy streets that the gas lights were only just managing to illuminate. The sailor was thinking about his next return trip to Amsterdam, about his mother that he had not seen for three years, and about his fiancé who was awaiting him at Monikendam. He was trying to second guess the money that he would make out of the animals and the cloths whilst searching a shop where he could sell his exotic merchandise.* ....................... ~Was = PRETERIT of to be: you/we/they were - I/(he/she/it/one) was ~Drawing in = PRETERIT CONTINUOUS of to draw in: you/we/they were drawing in - I/(he/she/it/one) was drawing in. ~Walked = PRETERIT of to walk: I/you/we/they/(he/she/it/one) walked. ~Were managing = PRETERIT CONTINUOUS of to manage: you/we/they were managing - I/(he/she/it/one) was managing. ~Was thinking = PRETERIT CONTINUOUS of to think: you/we/they were thinking - I/(he/she/it/one) was thinking. ~Had seen = PLUPERFECT of to see: I/you/we/they/(he/she/it/one) had seen. ~Was awaiting = PRETERIT CONTINUOUS of to await: you/we/they were awaiting - I/(he/she/it/one) was awaiting. ~Was trying = PRETERIT CONTINUOUS of to try: you/we/they were trying - I/(he/she/it/one) was trying. ~Would make = CONDITIONAL of to make: I/you/we/they/(he/she/it/one) would make *honestly, this word should be spelt merchandice, if only to distinguish it from the verb 'to merchandise, which itself should be spelt 'to merchandize'!!!)). |
PARA 4
On était au commencement du printemps, et la nuit tombait encore de bonne heure. Hendrijk Wersteeg marchait d'un bon pas dans les rues un peu brumeuses que la lumière du gaz n'éclairait qu'à peine. Le matelot pensait à son prochain retour à Amsterdam, à sa mère qu'il n'avait pas vue depuis trois ans, à sa fiancée qui l'attendait à Monikendam. Il supputait l'argent qu'il retirerait de ses animaux et de ses étoffes, et il cherchait la boutique où il pourrait vendre ces marchandises exotiques. ............................ ~Etait = [was] III pers sing of être in the IMPARFAIT ~Tombait = [was fallling] III pers sing of Tomber in the IMPARFAIT. Note: 'the night was falling' in the French language is equivalent to our 'the night was drawing in.' ~De bonne heure = [early] LIT: of a good hour] ~Marcher d'un bon pas = [walk energetically] LIT: 'walk of a good step' i.e. not baby steps but a long stride. ~Brumeuse/brumeux = [misty/ foggy] NOTE: la brume = [mist/ haze] ~A peine = [hardly/ scarcely/ barely] ~Eclairait = [was lighting (as in to illuminate)/ was lighting up] III pers sing of Eclairer in the IMPARFAIT ~Pensait = [was thinking] III pers sing of Penser in the IMPARFAIT ~Avait vue = [had seen] III pers sing of Voir in the PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT ~Attendait = [was awaiting/ was waiting (for)/ was expecting] III pers sing of Attendre in the IMPARFAIT ~Supputer [to calculate/ to reckon/ to evaluate] NOTE: damn rare. This will be the only time you come across this verb. Ever! ~Retirerait = [would get out] III pers sing of Retirer [to withdraw/ to draw out] in the CONDITIONNEL. Note: this verb is derived from the verb tirer [to pull] ~étoffes = [material/ fabric/ cloth/ tissue] ~cherchait = [was looking for/ was searching] III pers sing of Chercher in the IMPARFAIT ~pourrait = [would be able to] III pers sing of Pouvoir in the CONDITIONNEL |
PARA 5
En Bar Street, un caballero vestido muy pulcramente le abordó, preguntándole si buscaba comprador para su loro: ............................. ~Cabballero = [gentlemen/ horse rider/ knight] ~Vestido = [dressed] ~Pulcramente = [neatly/ tidily/ smartly/ delicately] ~abordó [approached/ came along side of] 3rd person singular of abordar [to approach/ to come along side of/ to board/ to broach (as in 'subject')] ~Preguntándo = [asking] GERUNDIO of preguntar |
PARA 5
In Bar street, a well dressed gentleman approached, asking him if he was looking for a buyer for his Parrot. * .......................... *((Is this a horror story or a Monty Python sketch?)) |
PARA 5
Dans Bar Street, un monsieur très correctement mis l'aborda, en lui demandant s'il cherchait un acheteur pour son perroquet: ..................... ~Mis = past participle of Mettre [to put] used as an adjective. The meaning here is 'attired/ dressed.' Just think 'well put together' and you'll see the connection with 'mettre.' ~Aborda = [approached] III pers sing of Aborder [to come alongside of/ to approach/ to reach land/ to broach (as in 'a subject')] in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~demandant = [asking] PARTICIPE PRÉSENT ~Cherchait = [was looking for] III person singular of Chercher [to search] in the IMPARFAIT. Here meaning 'was searching' |
PARA 6
-Este pájaro -dijo- me vendría muy bien. Necesito a alguien que me hable sin que yo tenga que contestarle, pues vivo completamente solo. ............................... ~Este = [this] ~Dijo = [(he) said] 3rd person singular of decir in the PRETÉRITO ~Necesitar a alguien [to require the company of someone] ~hable = [talks/ speaks (though read as 'could talk' OR 'would talk'] 3rd person singular of hablar in the SUBJUNTIVO ~sin que = [without that] ~Tenga que =[(I) have to] 1st person singular of tener que in the SUBJUNTIVO ~Contestar = [to answer/ to reply/ to talk back to] ~le = [to him/ to her] indirect object personal pronoun |
PARA 6
"This bird," said he, "will do just fine. I need someone to talk to me without having the obligation of responding in turn. I live alone, you see." |
PARA 6
—Cet oiseau, dit-il, ferait bien mon affaire. J'ai besoin de quelqu'un qui me parle sans que j'aie à lui répondre, et je vis tout seul. ........................... ~dit = [said] III pers sing of Dire in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~Ferait = [would make] = III pers sing of faire in the conditionnel ~ai besoin = [have need] I pers sing of Avoir besoin in the PRÉSENT ~quelqu'un = [someone] ~ aie à = the first person singular SUBJONCTIF of avoir à [to have to (do something)] ~repondre = [to respond/ to reply/ to answer] INFINITIF vis = [live] I pers sing of Vivre [to live] in the PRÉSENT |
PARA 7
Como la mayoría de los marineros holandeses, Hendrijk Wersteeg hablaba inglés. Puso un precio que el desconocido aceptó. ......................... ~Hablaba = [spoke] 3rd person singular of hablar in the IMPERFECTO ~Puso = [(I) put (though read as 'set')] ~Precio = [price/ fare/ rate] ~Aceptó = [accepted] 3rd person singular of aceptar in the PRETÉRITO |
PARA 7
Like the majority of Dutch sailors, Hendriyk Wersteeg spoke English. He fixed a price and the stranger accepted. |
PARA 7
Comme la plupart des matelots hollandais, Hendrijk Wersteeg parlait l'anglais. Il fit son prix qui convint à l'inconnu. .......................... ~Plupart = [majority/ greater part] ~Parlait = [spoke] third person singular of Parler [to speak/ to talk] in the IMPARFAIT ~fit son prix = [fixed a price (I think???)] I have to admit, this one got me stumped because I couldn't get out of my head the following expression: faire un prix [do a low price in order to ensure a sale]. Anyways, Fit is the III pers sing of Faire [to do/ to make] in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~convint à = [suited/ was right for] III pers sing of Convenir à in the PASSÉ SIMPLE |
PARA 8
-Sígame -dijo este-. Vivo bastante lejos. Usted mismo colocará el loro en una jaula que hay en mi casa. Me mostrará también sus telas, y puede que haya entre ellas algunas que me gusten. .................... ~Síga = [follow] 3rd person singular of Seguir in the IPERATIVO ~me = [me] NOTE: just in case you didn't guess! ~Este = [the latter] NOTE: This the rarer use of Este which usually means 'this/ this one/ east' depending on context ~Lejos = [far/ far away] ~Usted mismo = [you yourself (LIT: you the same)] ~Colocará = [will place] 3rd person singular of Colocar in the FUTURO ~Jaula = [cage/ pet carrier/ jail] ~que hay = [that (there) has i.e. that there is] NOTE: you might feel better reading this as 'which is' ~Me [to me/ for me] ~Mostrará = [(you) will show/ (you) will display] 3rd person singular of Mostrar. NOTE: If you are wondering how exactly the 3rd person singular of a verb can be translated into 'you + verb', then welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the Spanish 'Usted' personal pronoun. ~Tambien = [also/ too/ as well] ~Telas = [fabrics/ clothings] ~Puede que = [maybe/ LIT: (it) can that] ~Haya = [{there} has (though read as 'there is' OR 'there will be'] ~Entre ellas = [among them] |
PARA 8
"Follow me" said the latter. "I live quite far away. You yourself will put the parrot into the cage kept at my place. You will unbundle your fabrics and maybe I will find some of them to my taste. |
PARA 8
--Suivez-moi, dit ce dernier. J'habite assez loin. Vous mettrez vous-même le perroquet dans une cage que j'ai chez moi. Vous déballerez vos étoffes, et peut-être en trouverai-je à mon goût. .................... ~Suivez = [follow] II pers plur of Suivre in the PRÉSENT ~ce dernier = [the latter] ~assez [rather/ quite/ particularly] [enough] ~mettrez = [will put] II pers plur of Mettre in the PRÉSENT ~ai = [have)] I pers sing of Avoir in the PRÉSENT ~Déballerez = [will unwrap/ will open out] II pers plur of Déballer in the FUTUR trouverai-je = [will find I] NOTE: this form is as archaic in French as 'will find I' is in English. 'je trouverai [I will find] is how we and they do things now-a-days. Trouverai is the 1st pers sing of Trouver in the FUTUR ~gout = [taste/ flavour] |
PARA 9
Muy contento por el trato hecho, Hendrijk Wersteeg se fue con el gentleman, ante el cual, en la esperanza de poder vendérselo también, elogió al mono, que era, decía, de una raza bien rara, una de esas cuyos individuos mejor resisten el clima de Inglaterra y que más se encariñan con el dueño. ....................... ~Por = [by/ because of/ for] ~Trato = [agreement/ contract/ deal] ~Hecho = [done/ made] ~Se fue = [left/ departed/ went away/ LIT: himself went] 3rd person singular of Irse in the PRETÉRITO ~Ante = [before/ in the presence of] ~El cual = [whom] ~Esperanza = [hope/ expectation] ~Poder = [to be able to/ being able to] INFINITIVO ~Venderselo = vender-se-lo ~Elogió = [laude d/ sung the praises of] 3rd person singular of Elogiar in the PRETÉRITO ~Al = a+el NOTE: very difficult to give a sense to 'a' in this context so simply don't translate it ~Era = [was] 3rd person singular of Ser in the IMPERFECTO ~Decía = [(he) was saying] ~Raza = [race/ breed/ class] ~Rara = [rare] ~cuyos = [whose] ~Mejor = [better] ~Se encariñan con [bond with/ form a close tie with/ grow fond of/ take to] |
PARA 9
Being very content with this turn of events, Hendrijk Wersteeg went off with the gentleman, to whom, in the hope of making an extra sale, he sung the praises of his monkey, explaining that it was of a very rare race, one of those species of which the individuals resist best the English climate, and who also form the strongest bond with their master. |
PARA 9
Tout heureux de l'aubaine, Hendrijk Wersteeg s'en alla avec le gentleman, auquel, dans l'espoir de le lui vendre aussi, il fit, en route, l'éloge de son singe, qui était, disait-il, d'une race fort rare, une de celles dont les individus résistent le mieux au climat de l'Angleterre et qui s'attachent le plus à leur maître. ........................ ~aubaine = [godsend/ windfall/ bonanza] ~s'en alla = [went off] III pers sing of S'en aller [to be off/ to run along/ to go away/ to go off] in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~auquel = [to whom/ in whom/ at whom] [to which one] ~faire l'eloge de= [to sing the praises of] ~était = [was] III pers sing of être in the IMPARFAIT disait-il = [said he/ was saying he] IMPARFAIT fort = though it normally means 'strong', fort is used here in the old fashioned way/ literary way which can simply be interpreted as 'very/ extremely' ~celles = here it means 'those' ~s'attachent = [become attatched (in an emotional way) to] III pers plur of S'attacher in the PRÉSENT |
PARA 10
Pero pronto Hendrijk Wersteeg dejó de hablar. Malgastaba en vano sus palabras, puesto que el desconocido no le respondía y ni siquiera parecía escucharle. ..................... ~Pronto [soon i.a.] ~Dejar de [to stop {doing sth}/ to quit {doing sth}] THINK: 'to let up' or 'to let drop' ~Malgastaba = [{he} was squandering/ {he} was recklessly spending] 3rd person singular of Malgastar in the IMPERFECTO ~En vano = [in vain] ~Puesto que = [since/ since that/ given that] ~ni siqiuera =[not even] ~parecia = [was seeming/ was appearing] ~Escucharle = Escuchar-le = [to listen to him] NOTE: better read as 'to be listening to him' |
PARA 10
But, soon, Hendrijk Wersteeg ceased to speak. He was squandering his words in vain, for the stranger had not been responding at all, and seemed not even to be listening to him. |
PARA 10
Mais, bientôt, Hendrijk Wersteeg cessa de parler. Il dépensait ses paroles en pure perte, car l'inconnu ne lui répondait pas et ne semblait même point l'écouter. ....................... ~Cessa = [ceased] III person singular of Cesser in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~Parler = [to talk/ to speak] INFINITIF ~Dépensait = [was spending/ was using up] III pers sing of Dépenser in the IMPARFAIT ~paroles = [words] ~perte = [loss] ~car = [because/ for/ as] ~inconnu = [stranger i.a] LIT: (the) unknowner (if that word existed in the English language ~(ne) Répondait (pas) = [was (not) responding to / was (not) answering] III pers sing of Répondre in the IMPARFAIT ~(ne) Semblait (point) = [was (not) seeming to] in the IMPARFAIT ~point = a very old fashioned substitute for "pas" |
PARA 11
Continuaron el camino en silencio, el uno al lado del otro. Solos, añorando sus bosques natales en los trópicos, el mono, asustado por la bruma, soltaba de vez en cuando un gritito parecido al vagido de un recién nacido y el loro batía las alas. |
PARA 11
They continued their route in silence, side by side. Only the monkey and the parrot, missing their native forests in the tropics, made a sound. The monkey, scared by the mist, occasionally let forth little cries resembling the wails of a new-born child. The Parrot would beat its wings. |
PARA 11
Ils continuèrent leur route en silence, l'un à côté de l'autre. Seuls, regrettant leurs forêts natales, aux tropiques, le singe, effrayé dans la brume, poussait parfois un petit cri semblable au vagissement d'un enfant nouveau-né, le perroquet battait des ailes. ........................ ~continuèrent = III pers plural of Continuer in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~regrettant = [missing/ lamenting/ regretting] PARTICIPE PRÉSENT of Regretter ~à côté de = [next to/ alongside of/ beside/ by the side of] LIT: 'at the side of' ~effrayé = [frightened/ terrified] ~brume [mist/ haze] ~Poussait = [would push (though read as 'would let out' OR 'would let forth'] III pers sing of Pousser in the IMPARFAIT. Note: the 'would' used here is not a conditional would. ~semblable a = [similar to] ~vagissement = [wail] ~battait = [would beat] III pers sing of Battre in the IMPARFAIT ~ailes = [wings] |
PARA 12
Al cabo de una hora de marcha, el desconocido dijo bruscamente: |
PARA 12
All of a sudden, at the end of an hours walk, the stranger said: |
PARA 12
Au bout d'une heure de marche, l'inconnu dit brusquement: ........................ ~au bout de = [at the end of] ~brusquement = [abruptly/ suddenly/ curtly/ brusquely/ bluntly] |
PARA 13
-Nos acercamos a mi casa. |
PARA 13
"We are getting near to my house." |
PARA 13
--Nous approchons de chez moi. ........................ ~approchons = [ are coming near/ are approaching] I pers sing of Approcher in the PRÉSENT |
PARA 14
Habían salido de la ciudad. El camino estaba bordeado de grandes parques cercados con verjas; de vez en cuando brillaban, a través de los árboles, las ventanas iluminadas de una casita de campo, y se oía a intervalos en la lejanía el grito siniestro de una sirena en el mar. |
PARA 14
They had left the town behind them.* The route was bordered by large parks enclosed by iron railings: From time to time the light from a cottage window would shine through the trees and at intervals would be heard from afar the sinister cry of a sea bound siren .............................. *Literally: they had exited the town. |
PARA 14
Ils étaient sortis de la ville. La route était bordée de grands parcs, clos de grilles; de temps en temps brillaient, à travers les arbres, les fenêtres éclairées d'un cottage, et l'on entendait, à intervalles, dans le lointain, le cri sinistre d'une sirène, en mer. ....................... ~étaient sortis = [had left/ had got out/ had exited] III pers plur of Sortir in the PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT. Note the use of etre [to be] as the auxiliary verb to produce the composed tenses of Sortir (as opposed to avoir [to have] like the majority of verbs) ~bordée = [lined/ edged/ surrounded/ bordered] ~clos de grilles = [enclosed by railings]: this is a rather literary way of putting it. Clos is the past participle of the antiquated clore [to close/ to end/ to shut off/ to enclose] ~Brillaient = [would shine/ would twinkle/ would gleam] III pers plur of Briller in the IMPARFAIT ~a travers = [across/ through] ~entendait = [would hear] III pers sing of Entendre in the IMPARFAIT ~lointain = [noun: distance] [adj: distant/ remote/ far off] NOTE: It's use here as an noun is far more uncommon in French that it's use as an adjective. ~Sirene = [mermaid/ siren] |
PARA 15
El desconocido se paró ante una verja, sacó de su bolsillo un manojo de llaves y abrió la cancela, que volvió a cerrar una vez Hendrijk la hubo franqueado. |
PARA 15
The stranger stopped infront of the raillings and pulled from his pocket a bunch of keys, opening an iron gate that he then closed again once Hendrijk had passed the threshold. |
PARA 15
L'inconnu s'arrêta devant une grille, tira de sa poche un trousseau de clefs, et ouvrit la porte qu'il referma après que Hendrijk l'eut franchie. .......................... ~s'arreta = [stopped (himself)] III pers sing PASSÉ SIMPLE of s'arreter ~tira = [pulled] III pers sing PASSÉ SIMPLE of Tirer ~trouseau = [bunch (but only when referring to keys)/ outfit] NOTE: you will only ever see this word in the first of these senses. ~ouvrit = [opened] III pers sing of Ouvrir in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~referma = [re-closed] III pers sing of Refermer in the PASSÉ SIMPLE. ~eut franchi = [had passed (over)] III pers sing PASSÉ ANTERIEUR of franchir [to cross/ to pass (over)/ to overcome]. see my Rundown of French verbs tenses and moods to better understand this strange compound tense. For those who can't be bothered (lazy b*ggers!) it is the 'aprés que' which triggered the use of this tense rather than the PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT |
PARA 16
El marinero estaba impresionado: apenas distinguía, al fondo de un jardín, una casa de bastante buena apariencia, pero cuyas persianas cerradas no dejaban pasar luz alguna. |
PARA 16
The sailor was impressed: He could just make out a quite attractive little villa at the end of a garden.* However, the villa's closed shutters were letting no light pass through. ................................ *The English language is adjective hungry. It is hard to read this without adding a word like large garden, or well kept garden but the French are quite happy to simply say 'garden' and be done with it. |
PARA 16
Le matelot était impressionné, il distinguait à peine, dans le fond d'un jardin, une petite villa d'assez bonne apparence, mais dont les persiennes fermées ne laissaient passer aucune lumière. ........................... ~était impressioné [was impressed] ~distinguait = [(could) make out] NOTE: the 'could' is added by the use of 'a peine' [just about]. Also, this is one of those situations where it is impossible to use anything but the English PRETERIT as a translation of the French IMPARFAIT, something I prefer to avoid if possible. ~assez bonne apparence = [rather good appearance (i.e. rather nice looking)] ~dont = [of which] ~persiennes = [shutters] ~(ne) laissaient (aucune) = [were (not) letting (any)] III pers plur of Laisser in the IMPARFAIT ~passer [to pass (though read as 'pass')] INFINITIF |
PARA 17
El desconocido silencioso, la casa sin vida, todo le resultaba bastante lúgubre. Pero Hendrijk se acordó de que el desconocido vivía solo: |
PARA 17
The silent stranger, the house without life: all this seemed rather sinister*. But Hendrijk remembered that the stranger lived alone. ........................... *Bleak is another interpretation of lugubre |
PARA 17
L'inconnu silencieux, la maison sans vie, tout cela était assez lugubre. Mais Hendrijk se souvint que l'inconnu habitait seul: ............................ ~cela = [that] NOTE: old fashioned form of ça, used mostly nowadays to avoid the finger gymnastics involved in getting a c cédille (ç) on a keyboard. ~était = [was] III pers sing of être in the IMPARFAIT ~lugubre = [bleak/ sinister] ~se souvint = [remembered/ recalled] III pers sing of Se souvenir in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~habitait = [lived] III pers sing of Habiter in the IMPARFAIT |
PARA 18
“¡Es un excéntrico!” pensó, y como un marinero holandés no es lo suficientemente rico como para que se le engañe con el fin de desvalijarlo, se avergonzó de su instante de ansiedad. |
PARA 18
"He is an excentric" he thought to himself; and as a Dutch sailor would not be rich enough that one would want to lure him away for the sole purpose of robbing him, he felt shame for his little moment of anxiety. |
PARA 18
—C'est un original! pensa-t-il, et comme un matelot hollandais n'est pas assez riche pour qu'on l'attire dans le but de le dévaliser, il eut honte de son moment d'anxiété. ......................... ~original = [(noun) eccentric/ wierdo/ crank] ~pensa-t-il = [thought he] the 'pensa' part is the 3rd person singlular of Penser in the PASSÉ SIMPLE. The 'il' part, is a 3rd person personal pronoun (subject form) meaning 'he.' The -t- part has no meaning; it used solely to separate the two vowel sounds when there is an inversion of pronoun and verb as in the present case. That means that this 't' is pronounced out i.e. /pɑ̃ sa til/ ~assez = [sufficiently/ enough] ~attire = [lure(s)/ entice(s)/ tempt(s)] III pers sing of Attirer in the SUBJONCTIF (I presume, as this and the PRÉSENT form are the same in the I and III person) ~but = [aim/ goal/ objective] ~dévaliser = [steal/ rob/ empty/ clean out] INFINITIF ~eut = [had] III pers sing of Avoir in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~honte = [shame/ disgrace] ~avoir honte = [to be ashamed/ to feel ashamed] |
PARA 19
-Si tiene cerillas, ilumíneme -dijo el desconocido metiendo la llave en la cerradura de la puerta de la casa. |
PARA 19
"If you have matches, then give us some light" said the stranger whilst inserting a key into the door-lock of the house. |
PARA 19
—Si vous avez des allumettes, éclairez-moi, dit l'inconnu en introduisant une clef dans la serrure qui fermait la porte du cottage. ......................... ~allumettes = [matches] ~éclairez = [illuminate] II pers plur of éclairer [to light up/ to illuminate/ to enlighten/ to shed light upon/ to shine] in the PRÉSENT ~introduisant = [inserting] PARTICIPE PRÉSENT of introduire ~clef = [key] NOTE: this word is nowadays spelt clé ~serrure = [lock] ~fermait = NOTE: the 'franglish' translation of this IMPARFAIT use of fermer [to close/ to shut] is "was keeping shut/locked." Of course, it is difficult to be faithful to this sense in translating the whole sentence into proper English whilst keeping the same structure. |
PARA 20
El marinero obedeció y, una vez dentro de la casa, el desconocido trajo una lámpara que pronto iluminó un salón amueblado con buen gusto. |
PARA 20
The sailor obeyed, and, as soon as they were inside the house, the stranger fetched a lamp, which soon lit up a tastefully furnished lounge. |
PARA 20 Le matelot obéit, et, dès qu'ils furent à l'intérieur de la maison, l'inconnu apporta une lampe, qui éclaira bientôt un salon meublé avec goût. ................... ~obéit = [obeyed] III pers sing of obéir in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~dés = [as soon as/ from] ~furent = [were] III pers plur of être in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~apporta =[brought] III pers sing of apporter in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~éclaira [lit up] III pers sing of éclairer in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~bientôt = [soon] ~meublé = [furnished] ~goût = [taste/ flavour] |
PARA 21
Hendrijk Wersteeg estaba totalmente tranquilo. Alimentaba la esperanza de que su extraño compañero le comprara una buena parte de sus telas. |
PARA 21
Hendrijk Wersteeg was completely reassured. He was already nurturing the hope that his strange companion would buy a good part of his fabrics from him. |
PAR21
Hendrijk Wersteeg était complètement rassuré. Il nourrissait déjà l'espoir que son bizarre compagnon lui achèterait une bonne partie de ses étoffes. ..................... ~était = [was] III pers sing of être in the IMPARFAIT ~rassuré = [reassured/ comforted] PARTICIPE PASSÉ of rassurer ~nourrissait = [was nurturing/ was habouring] III pers sing of nourrir [to nourish/ to feed/ to nurse (as in idea or feeling)/ to nurture (ditto) / to harbour (ditto)] in the IMPARFAIT ~déjà = [already] ~éspoir = [hope] ~lui = [from him] III pers sing personal pronoun in the INDIRECT OBJECT case ~achèterait = [would buy] III pers sing of acheter in the CONDITIONNEL ~bonne partie = [good part/ good portion] |
PARA 22
El desconocido, que acababa de salir del salón, volvió con una jaula: |
PARA 22
The stranger, who had left the lounge, returned with a cage. |
PARA 22
L'inconnu, qui était sorti du salon, revint avec une cage: .................. ~était sorti = [had exited/ had left] III pers sing of sortir in the PLUS-QUE-PARFAIT ~revint = [returned] III pers sing of Revenir in the PASSÉ SIMPLE |
PARA 23
-Meta aquí el loro -le dijo-. No lo pondré en una percha hasta que se haya domesticado y sepa decir lo que quiero que diga. |
PARA 23
"Put your parrot in there" he said. "I will not put him on the perch myself until he is tame and knows how to say what I want him to say." |
PARA 23
—Mettez-y votre perroquet, dit-il, je ne le placerai sur un perchoir que lorsqu'il sera apprivoisé et saura dire ce que je veux qu'il dise. ........................ ~mettez = [put] II pers plural/formal of Mettre in the IMPÉRATIF ~y = [there] ~dit = [said] III pers sing of Dire in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~le = [it/ him] III pers sing personal pronoun in the DIRECT OBJECT case ~placerai = [will place/ will put] I pers sing of Placer in the FUTUR ~perchoir = [perch] ~que = NOTE: though que usually means that OR what, here it has the sense of than i.e. read as other than in this actual sentence. ~lorsque = [when/ while/ as soon as] NOTE: it will sound less franglais if you read que lorsque together as until. ~sera = [will be] III pers sing of etre in the FUTUR ~apprivoisé = [tamed/ domesticated] PARTICIPE PASSÉ of apprivoiser ~saura = [will know (how)] III pers sing of Savoir in the FUTUR ~dire = [to say/ to talk] INFINITIF ~ce que= [that which] ~veux = [want] I pers sing of Vouloir in the PRÉSENT ~dise = [say] III pers sing of Dire in the SUBJONCTIF |
PARA 24
Después, tras haber cerrado la jaula en la que, espantado, quedó el pájaro, le pidió al marinero que cogiera la lámpara y fuese a la habitación contigua, en donde se encontraba, según decía, una mesa cómoda para extender las telas. |
PARA 24
Then, after having closed the cage on the now rather frightened bird, he asked of the sailor to take the lamp and to go into the adjoining room where would be found, according to him, a table suitable for laying out the fabrics. |
PARA 24
Puis, après avoir fermé la cage où l'oiseau s'effarait, il pria le matelot de prendre la lampe et de passer dans la pièce voisine où se trouvait, disait-il, une table commode pour y étaler des étoffes. .......................... ~puis = [then] ~aprés = [after] ~avoir fermé = [having closed/ having shut] INFINITIF (PASSÉ) ~oiseau = [bird] ~s'effarait = [was getting alarmed/ was working itself up/ was becoming frightend] III pers sing of the reflexiv verb s'effarer in the IMPARFAIT. Based on the verb effarer [to alarm/ to frighten] ~pria = [invited/ asked/ wished] NOTE: Prier literally means to pray, but in prier qqn de faire qch the prier means ask/invite/wish in much the same way that pray becomes so in phrases like "I pray you to heed this advice" ~prendre = [to take] INFINITIF ~passer = [to pass/ to pass through (among other meanings)] INFINITIF ~voisine = [(as adjective): neighbouring] ~se trouvait = [would be found/ was to be found] III pers sing of se trouver in the IMPERATIF ~disait = [was saying/ said] III pers sing of Dire in the IMPARFAIT ~commode = [(as adjective): convenient/ handy/ suitable/ practical] ~y = [there] ~étaler = [to spread out/ to spread/ to lay out] |
PARA 25
Hendrijk Wersteeg obedeció y fue a la alcoba que se le había indicado. De pronto, oyó que la puerta se cerraba tras él y que la llave giraba. Estaba prisionero. ........................... ~Alcoba = [bedroom/ sleeping compartment]. |
PARA 25
Hendrijk Wersteeg obeyed and went into the room which had been indicated him. Immediately after, he heard the door close behind him and the key turn. He was now a prisoner. ((durm durm DURRRM!!!)) |
PARA 25
Hendrijk Wersteeg obéit et alla dans la chambre qui lui était indiquée. Aussitôt, il entendit la porte se refermer derrière lui, la clef tourna. Il était prisonnier. ..................... ~alla = [went] III pers sing of Aller in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~lui = [for him/ to him] III pers sing personal pronoun in the INDIRECT OBJECT case ~était indiquée = NOTE: read as "had been indicated." NOTE: I'm going to be honest, though I always know how to interpret these constructions, I never really know for sure how to label them. I think that était indiquer is the IMPARFAIT of Indiquer in the PASSIVE VOICE, though this may simply be a case of etre in the IMPARFAIT plus the PARTICIPE PASSÉ of Indiquer used as an adjective. As shakespeare once said, "that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." ~aussitôt = [immediately/ straight away/ right away] ~entendit = [heard] III pers sing of Entendre in the PASSÉ SIMPLE ~se refermer = [close itself] INFINITIF ~derrière = [behind (in this context)] ~tourna = [turned] III pers sing of Tourner in the PASSÉ SIMPLE |