Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
no level playing fields
French translation:
partie toujours trop inégale
Added to glossary by
Marie-Andree Dionne
Oct 3, 2007 16:43
17 yrs ago
English term
there were no level playing fields
English to French
Other
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Sports metaphor
The context involves football as a means of civilizing (or a strategy for subjugating) colonial Burma:
In reality, of course, there were no level playing fields in colonial Burma.
The meaning is that the Burmese could never win in the big picture, even if they beat their "masters" in a symbolic match. "Les dés étaient pipés" ... but how to keep the football metaphor.
My current idea: "La confrontation était truquée dès le début".
In reality, of course, there were no level playing fields in colonial Burma.
The meaning is that the Burmese could never win in the big picture, even if they beat their "masters" in a symbolic match. "Les dés étaient pipés" ... but how to keep the football metaphor.
My current idea: "La confrontation était truquée dès le début".
Proposed translations
(French)
| 3 | la partie était/serait toujours trop inégale |
Marie-Andree Dionne
|
| 3 | "les jeux sont/étaient faits" |
ormiston
|
| 3 | les dés étaient pipés dès le départ |
Alain Berton (X)
|
Change log
Mar 3, 2008 12:28: Marie-Andree Dionne Created KOG entry
Proposed translations
11 hrs
Marie-Andree Dionne
Canada
Canada
Native in French
Works in field
Canada
Uniting people, hearts, minds & souls
Native in: French
Works in: English to French
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Selected
la partie était/serait toujours trop inégale
Juste une idée pour rester dans le contexte d'un jeu, d'une "partie" de football...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Great! The sports metaphor is saved. In the Kudoz archives there were answers revolving around "égalité des chances", but this fits even better. Thanks to all for your advice."
18 mins
"les jeux sont/étaient faits"
pas le même jeu ! (et putôt "the chips are down") mais je ne pouvais pas le résister !
Note from asker:
| Yes, to continue the gambling metaphor, the British held all the cards! |
23 mins
les dés étaient pipés dès le départ
.
Discussion