APAD:If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed..

移花接木
楼主 (文学城)

The full phrase as:
         If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain
What's the meaning of the phrase 'If the mountain will not come to Muhammad' ?

The proverbial phrase 'If the mountain will not come to Muhammad...' means that , if one's will does not prevail, one must submit to an alternative.

 

Etymology

An ellipsis (anapodoton) of the apocryphal phrase "if the mountain won't come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain," coined in a story by Francis Bacon.

 

7
7grizzly
So that's why Bacon had power: he made up stories!
最西边的岛上
similar but different "if you can't fight them join them"?
移花接木
Maybe, this 1 mainly meant 2 use alternative approach
方外居士
不能改变环境就去适应环境
C
CBA7
我刚才和ChatGPT交流了一下,ChatGPT的翻译是:“若山不来,穆罕默德就要去山。” 详见里面:

User
Hi, what is the meaning of the proverb below. Thanks.

If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain.

ChatGPT
The proverb "If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain" means that if things or circumstances do not happen as one wishes or expects, then one must take action or make an effort to achieve their goals. It suggests a proactive and adaptable approach to overcoming obstacles or challenges. The metaphorical idea is that if something is not coming to you, you should be willing to go to it, demonstrating initiative and determination. This proverb is often used to convey the importance of flexibility and taking responsibility for making things happen.

User
Please translate the proverb into Chinese.

ChatGPT
The proverb "If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain" can be translated into Chinese as:

若山不来,穆罕默德就要去山。 (Pinyin: Ruò shān bù lái, Mùhǎnmòdé jiù yào qù shān.)

As with any translation, the choice of characters may have variations, and the expression may slightly differ depending on specific nuances or cultural considerations.

 

C
CBA7
我的译文是:“如果山不能来,穆罕默德就要到山那里去。”
妖妖灵
喜欢这个翻译
妖妖灵
chatGPT的这个中文翻译太直译,不知所云
C
CBA7
我个人感觉,某些Proverb的中文翻译可能需要将直译和意译结合起来才能把其内在的含义完全表达出来。
妖妖灵
意译更重要。语言是相通的,基本会找到对应的成语或俗语。
C
CBA7
昨天的APAD: Keeping up with the Joneses 就是一个很好的例子,我的译文是:“攀比琼斯”。
C
CBA7
详见里面的主帖以及跟帖,包括跟帖里面我和ChatGPT的交流。

 

APAD: Keeping up with the Joneses - 7grizzly发表于 美语世界 - 论坛 | 文学城 (wenxuecity.com)

 

 

妖妖灵
看到chatGPT的翻译,太有喜感了。你把“攀比”翻出来,全面碾压chatGPT:)
C
CBA7
同感,但是我个人认为,在意译的同时,也要尽量保持原文中的特色成分,以便给人原汁原味,有出处的感觉。
C
CBA7
谢谢灵灵的鼓励,灵灵新年快乐!
妖妖灵
没必要。那就记住英文就好了,不然不伦不类。
最西边的岛上
good one. 赞!
最西边的岛上
agreed.
C
CBA7
I think it depends. 例如“攀比琼斯”就是一个例子,我保留了Joneses的直译。
C
CBA7
而且,这样的译文可以帮助我们记住相应的英文原句。
C
CBA7
完全的意译很直白,但是可能不利于我们记住相应的英文原句 :)
方外居士
只有明白穆汗默德在穆斯林心中的份量才能真正品位这句话的精髓。对于非穆斯林来说,这点其实很难。
C
CBA7
从“如果山不能来,穆罕默德就要到山那里去” 可以意会出“不能改变环境就去适应环境”,不必完全了解穆汗默德 :)
移花接木
Ennnn,this time was Mohammed, who else he picked up?
方外居士
意思是一样的,但是情感上却不如原文激烈。
7
7grizzly
No idea. Know little about him except for two proverbs.
盈盈一笑间
这是APAD复习帖吗?这句印象很深。温故而知新!
妖妖灵
I guess he picked up “Mohammed due 2 mountain starting with
妖妖灵
“mo”, So called “alliteration” ~
移花接木
em, I thought sth. 2 do with Islamic prophet Muhammad ascend
移花接木
to heaven from Temple Mount & Bacon altered the letter u 2 o
移花接木
due to taboo
移花接木
我很久以前就已经不去翻译了,最简单的例子,dog,我就不去想狗这个字,sth domesticated animal,
移花接木
man's beat friend, barking... as long as I know what it is
妖妖灵
Make sense. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
移花接木
could be many going on during my vacation or I lost memory
移花接木
first one be, Knowledge is power France is bacon
甜虫虫
This one tells us to be flexible and resilient? :)