help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Having problems with the Italian language? Do you need help to translate or understand an old family document? There is always someone who can help you!
User avatar
danezeeox
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 13
Joined: 20 Jun 2005, 00:00

help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by danezeeox »

hi everyone,

A probable relative in italy acutally emailed me, but I have no idea what this means. Every time I put it in a translator, it doesn't come out making any sense. Could anyone help me, please?

"Come mai non ti sei più fatta viva?"

Thanks!
PeterTimber
Master
Master
Posts: 6817
Joined: 16 Dec 2007, 18:57
Location: Yonkers NY

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by PeterTimber »

Literal translation: How come you never contacted us before this? =Peter=
User avatar
elba
V.I.P.
V.I.P.
Posts: 739
Joined: 15 Feb 2006, 00:00
Location: The Alps - N.Italy

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by elba »

Peter, I would translate with just a slight difference as it could affect the tone intended by the writer.

It seems to me that the writer knew of the existence of our poster, but your tranaslation intimates that our poster knew of them and ignored them. Without knowing the full text only our poster can know which would be correct.

I would say:
"How come we didn't hear from you any more ?"

But literally it says: "How come you didn't appear to be alive any more?"
If you think education is expensive - try ignorance!
"Gente di Mare Genealogy"
User avatar
liviomoreno
Master
Master
Posts: 7031
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 00:00
Location: Rome, Italy
Contact:

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by liviomoreno »

I would translate it as follows:

How come you didn't show up any more?

I found an interesting thread on the sentence "farsi vivo": http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=48231
User avatar
misbris
Master
Master
Posts: 2263
Joined: 14 Jan 2007, 00:00
Location: NJ

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by misbris »

Neat site, Livio :D
PeterTimber
Master
Master
Posts: 6817
Joined: 16 Dec 2007, 18:57
Location: Yonkers NY

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by PeterTimber »

Dear Livio the translation is like my Italian ....sometimes it just doesn't sound quite right but you ghet the idea anyway.

Dear Elba as you know the expression is idiomatic which we all (you, Livio and I) know that it really means '"now you come and tell me your alive after all these years". I was being diplomatic and not sardonic as the phrase is intended to be. =Peter=
User avatar
liviomoreno
Master
Master
Posts: 7031
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 00:00
Location: Rome, Italy
Contact:

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by liviomoreno »

PeterTimber wrote:... "now you come and tell me your alive after all these years" ...
Peter, do you mean: "now you come and tell me you are alive after all these years" ?
User avatar
liviomoreno
Master
Master
Posts: 7031
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 00:00
Location: Rome, Italy
Contact:

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by liviomoreno »

The sentence "Come mai non ti sei più fatta vivo?" does not have any sardonic connotation, it is a simple question and is used very often in Italian. As I mentioned in a previous post it simply means:
"Why you did not show up anymore?"
PeterTimber
Master
Master
Posts: 6817
Joined: 16 Dec 2007, 18:57
Location: Yonkers NY

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by PeterTimber »

Dear Livio I know it should be you're but I took a short cut. =Peter=
PeterTimber
Master
Master
Posts: 6817
Joined: 16 Dec 2007, 18:57
Location: Yonkers NY

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by PeterTimber »

... It is an idiomatic expression meaning WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THIS TIME. Is that OK Livio??? =Peter=
User avatar
liviomoreno
Master
Master
Posts: 7031
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 00:00
Location: Rome, Italy
Contact:

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by liviomoreno »

PeterTimber wrote:... It is an idiomatic expression meaning WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL THIS TIME. Is that OK Livio??? =Peter=
No. If ask you "Come mai non ti sei più fatto vivo?", I'm not interested in knowing where you were, I want to know the reason why you did not call, or write, or pass by, or ...

And the answer could be:

"I lost your e-mail"
"You never give me your telephone number"
"I was sick"
"I was angry at you"
"My PC was broken"
"I did write but the letter was lost"
PeterTimber
Master
Master
Posts: 6817
Joined: 16 Dec 2007, 18:57
Location: Yonkers NY

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by PeterTimber »

You left out the apt expression TANTE MOSSE! =Peter=
User avatar
liviomoreno
Master
Master
Posts: 7031
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 00:00
Location: Rome, Italy
Contact:

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by liviomoreno »

PeterTimber wrote:You left out the apt expression TANTE MOSSE! =Peter=
:?: :?: :?:
User avatar
elba
V.I.P.
V.I.P.
Posts: 739
Joined: 15 Feb 2006, 00:00
Location: The Alps - N.Italy

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by elba »

PeterTimber wrote:You left out the apt expression TANTE MOSSE! =Peter=
I can only assume that you mean that there have been 'many moves' (without an outcome?) on this translation Peter...

You said:
Dear Livio the translation is like my Italian ....sometimes it just doesn't sound quite right but you ghet the idea anyway.

Dear Elba as you know the expression is idiomatic which we all (you, Livio and I) know that it really means '"now you come and tell me your alive after all these years". I was being diplomatic and not sardonic as the phrase is intended to be. =Peter=
I will always try to follow what is written and NOT what was 'intended' by the writer. The 'intention' might be clearly marked as an 'aside' by me. If the intention is not clear then the person who sought the translation may provide further information or be aware of the context the sentence, phrase or maybe paragraph may have been written. (That did not happen in this case.) So, if not, then it is a brave translator who chooses to go down that route...and who may easily risk misleading their client!
If you think education is expensive - try ignorance!
"Gente di Mare Genealogy"
User avatar
liviomoreno
Master
Master
Posts: 7031
Joined: 13 Feb 2004, 00:00
Location: Rome, Italy
Contact:

Re: help translating italian (just a sentence!)

Post by liviomoreno »

PeterTimber wrote: Dear Elba as you know the expression is idiomatic which we all (you, Livio and I) know that it really means '"now you come and tell me your alive after all these years".
The expression is not idiomatic.

It is pure Italian.
Post Reply