Btw, tasos, the title translates as "The illusions of our youth". Literally, "vingt ans" means "twenty years", but I believe it's the French way of saying "youth". It fits more with the context of the song.
In the lyrics it repeats " Laissez nous les illusions de nos vingt ans" which at the time I saw translated as "Leave us our illusions we are young" However, "illusion" has a negative tinge in English that it doesnt in French, Spanish etc nor does it have in this song. IMO best to translate as: hopes/dreams/asperations
Secondly, translating the title as "Leave our aspirations we are young" rightly conveys what's going on in the song: the narrator is young also. "Leave us the Aspirations of our youth" could suggest the narrator is no longer young - which is not what the son's saying.
Astute observations as always. It's a tough concept to translate from French to English. Translating it grammar by grammar just won't do it, because it's a very subtle statement and you have to read between the lines.
Yes, translation is not always as simple as it may appear. Literal & too literal dont work. Sublety IS required. I feel that I should do a root & branch clean up on Diggiloo Song Thrush as in some cases it's just bad English or in others misrepresentation of the original. I've made some recommendations to them on some songs.
Oh, Gosh, you trumped me in my own game (translation, that is). After this incredibly informed and clear explanation, I feel like I have to give back my professional qualifications :-D
Hey! Stop it Lovely One! Remember you're the I had to ask whether he was British or had lived there a long time because of his capability in English - depth and subtlety of usage. One of the things I like about you and our Seth is your very ableness with language, especially English (& him so young LOL!) makes me envious in fact. BTW I've done a bit of translation in my day.
Anyway, regarding this song, it's title has perplexed me since, I imagine, b4 you were born. Likewise I couldnt understand the reference exactly to "vingt ans" until my French improved. BTW the same expression is used in Lys Assia's Refrain. Then I began to think about the lyrics and how they should be translated & thus when I saw Seth's comment was able to spring into action.
But your French is better than mine, do you agree with my contention that the narrator in the song is still young & not just looking back on youth?Well informed opiniom gladly awaited.
Thanks for the compliment and, yes, I absolutely agree. In my description, I've indicated it's a song talking about the generation gap, rather than any sort of nostalgia for the title's youth (besides, PSM's ages at the time didn't allow for such nostalgia) Instead, they adress their elders, asking to allow them keeping the dreams and aspirations that are characteristic of their age.
And. btw (and despite my too literal translation), I had no problem understanding the "vingt ans" bit myself - maybe because in Greek the phrase has more or less the same connotations as in French (besides, I could say, for better or worse, we proved our love of youthfulness and rebellious spirit not too long ago...)
Tasos, you're a dote, thank you for the acknowledgement in the profile. Interesting to learn how similar the said comment is in Greek. Anyway, I wouldnt have doubted your comprehension facility ever. I know good when I see it. (PS- Im doing a licking job to garner Greek votes for Ireland in ESC SF- we'll need them (LOL!)
Tsk, tsk... You dirty, dirty man... I would have berated you further, but I'll leave it to the Irishman to take it from here (besides, I'm too busy laughing to think of a proper retort!)
I've bee asked by Tasos The Great to berate you appropriately for offending his manhood with your crude suggestions. Whatever I might not stop at it doesnt run to violation of Hellenic Virtue. I demand that you retract. Honour must be restored! (Is that suitably ok T.?)
Well, I sincerely hope and wish that your entry this year will be so good that it will not need your licking job to garner my vote (but, please, continue your job nevertheless; my vanity is pleased - lol)
T. according to some Irish ESC pundits the Greeks dont have a great tradition of voting for Irish songs (obviously ours are not to your taste - & you yourself havent rated too many Irish as T10 (NOT a criticisn!) so maybe we do need to campaign for votes. Of interest, it is reported that Hansard & Iglova of Oscars fame have submitted a song to RTE. Maybe we'll be back in strong contention?!
It can be used negatively in all languages. But from what I've seen it's use in English is more restricted than in romance languages. In the context of this song to translate literally as 'illusion' is a mistake.
well, in French, "une illusion" leads you on a bad way. But in the song, they tell the older people not to take their illusion away, because these illusions, as they're typical from young people, make them discover life.
A captivating song from PS&M. I like it, though think it could have done without that intro (which wasn't present on the single). I can understand it getting squashed in that year's tough competition but a quality entry from the Swiss trio all the same.
very good very good, go raibh maith agat (thank you) for uploading
sainglain 2 weeks ago
so boring
jchdhc 2 months ago
mooi!
1zwitser 1 year ago
This song, not the overrated "Io senza te", is my favorite of this trio's four entries. I can't believe, that it's their least successful entry.
Furienna 2 years ago
I agree with you!
Luthiel 2 years ago
This is a very beautiful ballad indeed with very good lyrics !!!!
Truly, they're right !!! Laissez-nous les illusions de nos vingt ans !!!!
Actually I think this song is a prettier way to say "Let's party !" or "Enjoy life"...
toinoou03 2 years ago
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Hi this is Slovenia calling. Here are my results 6 points go to Switzerland (5 place).
sosabes 2 years ago
I like it!
icanhearyoubreathing 2 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this was horrible
metalthunder777 3 years ago
Btw, tasos, the title translates as "The illusions of our youth". Literally, "vingt ans" means "twenty years", but I believe it's the French way of saying "youth". It fits more with the context of the song.
setheurovision94 3 years ago
In the lyrics it repeats " Laissez nous les illusions de nos vingt ans" which at the time I saw translated as "Leave us our illusions we are young" However, "illusion" has a negative tinge in English that it doesnt in French, Spanish etc nor does it have in this song. IMO best to translate as: hopes/dreams/asperations
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
Secondly, translating the title as "Leave our aspirations we are young" rightly conveys what's going on in the song: the narrator is young also. "Leave us the Aspirations of our youth" could suggest the narrator is no longer young - which is not what the son's saying.
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
Astute observations as always. It's a tough concept to translate from French to English. Translating it grammar by grammar just won't do it, because it's a very subtle statement and you have to read between the lines.
setheurovision94 3 years ago
Yes, translation is not always as simple as it may appear. Literal & too literal dont work. Sublety IS required. I feel that I should do a root & branch clean up on Diggiloo Song Thrush as in some cases it's just bad English or in others misrepresentation of the original. I've made some recommendations to them on some songs.
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
Oh, Gosh, you trumped me in my own game (translation, that is). After this incredibly informed and clear explanation, I feel like I have to give back my professional qualifications :-D
tasosk3 3 years ago
Hey! Stop it Lovely One! Remember you're the I had to ask whether he was British or had lived there a long time because of his capability in English - depth and subtlety of usage. One of the things I like about you and our Seth is your very ableness with language, especially English (& him so young LOL!) makes me envious in fact. BTW I've done a bit of translation in my day.
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
Anyway, regarding this song, it's title has perplexed me since, I imagine, b4 you were born. Likewise I couldnt understand the reference exactly to "vingt ans" until my French improved. BTW the same expression is used in Lys Assia's Refrain. Then I began to think about the lyrics and how they should be translated & thus when I saw Seth's comment was able to spring into action.
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
But your French is better than mine, do you agree with my contention that the narrator in the song is still young & not just looking back on youth?Well informed opiniom gladly awaited.
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
Thanks for the compliment and, yes, I absolutely agree. In my description, I've indicated it's a song talking about the generation gap, rather than any sort of nostalgia for the title's youth (besides, PSM's ages at the time didn't allow for such nostalgia) Instead, they adress their elders, asking to allow them keeping the dreams and aspirations that are characteristic of their age.
tasosk3 3 years ago
And. btw (and despite my too literal translation), I had no problem understanding the "vingt ans" bit myself - maybe because in Greek the phrase has more or less the same connotations as in French (besides, I could say, for better or worse, we proved our love of youthfulness and rebellious spirit not too long ago...)
tasosk3 3 years ago
Tasos, you're a dote, thank you for the acknowledgement in the profile. Interesting to learn how similar the said comment is in Greek. Anyway, I wouldnt have doubted your comprehension facility ever. I know good when I see it. (PS- Im doing a licking job to garner Greek votes for Ireland in ESC SF- we'll need them (LOL!)
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
I hear you dont stop at just licking...
lwsmackie4 3 years ago
Tsk, tsk... You dirty, dirty man... I would have berated you further, but I'll leave it to the Irishman to take it from here (besides, I'm too busy laughing to think of a proper retort!)
tasosk3 3 years ago
I've bee asked by Tasos The Great to berate you appropriately for offending his manhood with your crude suggestions. Whatever I might not stop at it doesnt run to violation of Hellenic Virtue. I demand that you retract. Honour must be restored! (Is that suitably ok T.?)
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
Well, I sincerely hope and wish that your entry this year will be so good that it will not need your licking job to garner my vote (but, please, continue your job nevertheless; my vanity is pleased - lol)
tasosk3 3 years ago
T. according to some Irish ESC pundits the Greeks dont have a great tradition of voting for Irish songs (obviously ours are not to your taste - & you yourself havent rated too many Irish as T10 (NOT a criticisn!) so maybe we do need to campaign for votes. Of interest, it is reported that Hansard & Iglova of Oscars fame have submitted a song to RTE. Maybe we'll be back in strong contention?!
ESCsince1968 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
"Illusion" is a rather "negative" word in all languages I think. I would refer it as a drug, a temporary pleasure...
Jeremiemf 2 years ago
It can be used negatively in all languages. But from what I've seen it's use in English is more restricted than in romance languages. In the context of this song to translate literally as 'illusion' is a mistake.
ESCsince1968 2 years ago
Jeremiemf,
Illusion has to be taken in French
Context and not in English. If the
song was performed in French &
English, then it may have a different
meaning, but in this french song
illusion means dreams or experiences
of youth.
Japanese1970 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
well, I'm french, so I think that I know what i'm talking about ;-)
Jeremiemf 2 years ago
Jeremiemf,
You Are French. Is the word "Illusion" has
a negative connotation in French?
Japanese1970 2 years ago
well, in French, "une illusion" leads you on a bad way. But in the song, they tell the older people not to take their illusion away, because these illusions, as they're typical from young people, make them discover life.
Jeremiemf 2 years ago
Comment removed
Japanese1970 2 years ago
Point taken illusion has a pessimistic
meaning in French, yet in this song,
in fact you have admitted it, the word
illusion has a different context. Hence,
the song is about dreams and not
drugs.
Japanese1970 2 years ago
i know peter's daugther! :)
nina reber!
cyzonegirl 3 years ago
awful clothes & that la la la at the beginning. the rest is fantastic.
yiannis77yiannis 3 years ago 3
A captivating song from PS&M. I like it, though think it could have done without that intro (which wasn't present on the single). I can understand it getting squashed in that year's tough competition but a quality entry from the Swiss trio all the same.
setheurovision94 3 years ago
Love it! Great quality of video.
OnurAir68 3 years ago