Thread: Lost in Translation - One for you French speakers/readers

Hello All,

I grew up in a small rural city with only 2GN as the sole local radio station. Every now and then this really exotic song came on - hey it is not in English! For some reason the song always rang true - despite my not knowing about what the words meant. There was something in its poignancy.

The song is Non Je Ne Regrette Rien - Edith Piaf [Lyrics & English Translation] Accessed June 18 2016 from, [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRCYEkA0_q8[/ame]. This version shows both the French words and below that their English translation.

Despite this Edith Pilaf's English version of the song seems nothing like the translated version of the earlier Youtube French version of the song. Accessed June 18 2016 from,
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKSPOUEuqAE[/ame]

The French version is much more elaborate and sensitive - the supposed English version is more like Edith could not give a rat's arse! The door is closed on the past and now for the bright new world with a new beau!

I suppose the question is how accurate is the first French version's "English" translation?

The translated version within the French song and Edith singing the English version seem to be two different songs which share the same tune.

My apologies to Mrs Savage my Year 7 French teacher who always said to me "Evans ... out" within the first 10 minutes of each class. As I did not then appreciate the opportunity for learning a new language - I have a "regret" about that now That one did turn around and bite me!

Kind Regards
Lionel

The first one is a much more literal translation. The second is a "putting the sentiments of a rough translation into lyric form" version.

It's only a year or so since I last had to use my French....that was a bit of a mental workout.