To Say the Same
Thing…
Translation Troubles
Tell your teacher about
the following books…
• A book that you started
but couldn't finish
• A book that
you decided to read
after seeing the film
• A book you feel you
should have read but
haven't
• A book that you
were forced to read at
school and hated
• A book you couldn't
put down
Read the article – True or
False:
Daniel tried to use words
that stayed close to the
Portuguese as much as
possible.
He didn't like it when
many clauses began with
the same word.
In his translation he kept to
American English rather
than British.
Read the article – True or
False:
Not only does he think
about the words, but also
about the rhythm of the
sentence.
He thought that "went
away" is stronger than
"left".
Complete the paragraph
with your own words
I didn't say anything, I
didn't cry, I didn't ask for
explanations, I
didn't ________ (implore)
you not to go.
I ______ (merely) stayed
there, ________ (immobile),
_________(mute), lying on
the bed, while you dressed,
took
your ________(rucksack )
and ________(went away ).
CHOOSING THE RIGHT
WORDS
What is the difference
between the words in the
brackets and the words you
chose?
What factors influence the
choice of words in a
translation?
What other choices can we
make to change the tone of a
text?
Using Passive Voice
Henry is very old. Nobody knows
exactly how old he is, but:
It is said that he is 108 years old
or
He is said to be 108 years old.
Both these sentences mean: "Pe
ople say that he is 108 years old”
You can use these structures wit
h a number of other verbs, such
as:
alleged, believed, considered,
expected, known, reported, tho
ught, understood
Using Passive Voice
Cathy works very hard.
It is said that she works 16 hours a
day. or
She is said to work 16 hours a day.
The police are looking for a missing
boy.
It is believed that the boy is wearin
g a white pullover and blue jeans.
or The boy is believed to be wearin
g a white pullover and blue jeans
The strike started three weeks ago
It is expected that it will end soon.
or The strike is expected to end so
on.
Write these sentences in anot
her way, beginning as shown.
It is expected that the strike will
end soon.
The strike is expected to end
soon
It is expected that the weather w
ill be good tomorrow.
The weather is ….
It is believed that the thieves got
in through a window in the roof.
The thieves…
It is reported that many people
are homeless after the floods.
Many people…
SPEED
ROUND
It is thought that
the prisoner esca
ped by climbing o
ver a wall.
The prisoner…
It is alleged that
the man was dri
ving at 110 miles
an hour.
The man…
It is reported that
the building has
been badly dama
ged by the fire.
The building…
It is expected that
the company will m
ake a loss this year
The company…
It is said that the
company is losing
a lot of money.
The company…