Translating idiomatic English into Spanish, and vice versa

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Emrayfo  #18696  Mon, 27 Aug 07 02:11 PM

Hi,

It seems to me that the challenge of translating an idiomatic expression (with the essential if not the literal meaning intact) strikes to the heart of issues like grammar and syntax, as well as cultural understandings.

My particular problem today relates to the grammar/syntax side of things - with the example below I really want to retain the literal as well as the essential meaning. I would appreciate any assistance people can offer. I need to translate the English phrase, "Smile me your smile". As it is a poetic description, I'd like the translation to be as close as possible. The double use of 'smile' is purposeful, if unusual. The first appearance is verb-like and the second is as the usual noun. I'd like to capture this same relationship in my translation, if possible.

I have developed what I think are two likely possibilities that capture the meaning I want. However, I'm not sure which version, whilst true to my intention, more accurately reflects the correct Spanish grammar/syntax.

Version 1) "sonrías para mí su sonrisa", or "sonreías para mí su sonrisa"; and

Version 2) "su sonrisa a mí sonreír".

Thanks in advance to anyone for any insights or assistance they can provide!

Agradezco su ayuda. Gracias.

 

  
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Pucca  #18697  Mon, 27 Aug 07 02:24 PM
Does "smile me your smile" mean "smile me with your smile"? If so, I would translate it as "Sonríeme con tu sonrisa". :)
  
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Emrayfo  #18699  Mon, 27 Aug 07 04:00 PM

Hello:

Yes, the phrase "smile me your smile" more or less means "smile to me with your smile". Does 'Sonríeme' mean "smile at me" and/or "smile to me'"? If it means one of these two (mas o menos), then I think I like your suggestion very much. Gracias.

A friend also suggested to me, "Dame esa sonrisa tuya". This version is more different than what I had planned. Doers it make sense?

Saludos. Smile

  
Pucca  #18701  Mon, 27 Aug 07 06:00 PM
Sonríeme means smile at me. :)

"Dame esa sonrise tuya" would also work there, it would mean "Give that smile of yours" more or less.

Hope I've helped!
  
Emrayfo  #18718  Tue, 28 Aug 07 03:06 AM
Thank you for your help. Geeked
  
Pucca  #18739  Wed, 29 Aug 07 03:27 AM

It was my pleasure!:)

  
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