Reflexões sobre a tradução do inglês para o português
Num post anterior sobre a minha conversa com um caracol português, nunca fiquei muito satisfeito com o título do post. Trocando opiniões com um caracol – Trocando opiniões com um caracol
O motivo foi simplesmente ignorância minha. Obviamente, o caracol conseguia ver-me, e eu via-o. Mas também tivemos uma troca verbal e uma troca de opiniões. Em inglês, a palavra “view” pode descrever ambos, e na foto a mensagem é clara. A tradução portuguesa não refletiu o duplo sentido que pretendia dar a “view”.
Uma conversa recente com a minha namorada mostrou-me o caminho, pelo que, mais uma vez, e apenas pela segunda vez, perguntei ao Chatgpt. Não referi ao Chatgpt que o meu encontro foi com um caracol. Poderia ter levado a algo completamente diferente, estremeço ao pensar.
Em vez disso, coloquei a minha questão ao Chatgpt e recebi uma resposta bem elaborada.
Uma cópia completa do meu diálogo com o “bot” está abaixo, e uma actualização do blogue original será feita o mais breve possível.
[English]
In a previous post regarding my conversation with a Portuguese snail, I was never quite happy with title of the post.Exchanging views with a snail – Trocando opiniões com um caracol
The reason – quite simply my ignorance. Quite obviously, the snail could see me, and I could see him/her. But we also had a verbal exchange, an exchange of opinions. In English the word ‘view’ can describe both, and in the photo the message is clear. The Portuguese ‘translation’, did not reflect my intended double-meaning of ‘view’.
A recent conversation with my girl-friend, pointed the way, so once again, and for only the second time, I asked Chatgpt. I didn’t mention to Chatgpt that my encounter was with a snail. That might have led somewhere else entirely, I shudder to think.
Instead, I put my question to Chatgpt and received a well-assembled answer to my question.
A full copy of my dialog with the ‘bot’ is given below, and an update to the original blog will be done as soon as possible.
Foreword: The following includes both English and Portuguese. So I’m still trying to climb up a greasy pole. There’s an old saying: ‘When in doubt – give up.’ So no attempt will be made now to attempt translating the translations..
Prefácio: O texto que se segue inclui o inglês e o português. Então, ainda estou a tentar subir uma escada escorregadia.
Há um velho ditado: Na dúvida, desista. Portanto, não será feita nenhuma tentativa agora, tente traduzir as traduções.
A minha pergunta para o Chatgpt:
[English]
My Question to Chatgpt:
Two people are looking at each other through a window, and having a conversation.
In English I would describe this as an exchange of views.
First, because they both are looking at a different scene, secondly they are both expressing opinions.
So that the ‘exchange of views’ means two different things. How can I express this in Portuguese?
ChatGPT said:
That’s a clever bilingual play on words!
Let’s unpack it step by step so we can find the closest way to reproduce the double meaning in Portuguese.
In English, “exchange of views” means both:
Literally: they are seeing different “views” (landscapes, scenes).
Figuratively: they are exchanging opinions (views).
In Portuguese:
Figurative sense: (usual expression):
The normal phrase for “exchange of views/opinions” is “troca de opiniões” or “troca de pontos de vista”.
Literal sense: Exchanging views with a snail – Trocando opiniões com um caracol (the scene through the window):
“Ponto de vista” in Portuguese also literally means “point of view” (where you look from) and figuratively “opinion”.
That makes it a very useful bridge.
So, if you say:
“Eles estão numa troca de pontos de vista.”
it carries the same double meaning:
They’re literally looking at different views (from different vantage points, through the window).
They’re metaphorically exchanging opinions.
– Best equivalent pun in Portuguese:
“Uma troca de pontos de vista.”
That way you keep both senses alive, just like in English.
Would you like me to suggest a slightly more poetic or literary phrasing in Portuguese as well
(something you could use in a short story or essay), or are you aiming for a natural everyday expression?
You said:
No, I’m happy with that.
ChatGPT said:
Perfect! Then “troca de pontos de vista” is your best match — natural in Portuguese and keeping the same neat double meaning as in English.
Would you like me to also give you a couple of short example sentences in Portuguese using it, so you can see how it works in context?
You said:
Yes.
ChatGPT said:
Great! Here are a few short examples showing both the literal and figurative senses:
Literal + figurative (like your window scene):
Eles conversavam através da janela, numa verdadeira troca de pontos de vista.
(“They were talking through the window, in a true exchange of views.”)
More everyday, figurative use:
A reunião terminou com uma troca de pontos de vista bastante produtiva.
(“The meeting ended with a very productive exchange of views.”)
Playful, highlighting the double meaning:
Enquanto olhavam paisagens diferentes pela mesma janela, faziam também uma troca de pontos de vista.
(“While looking at different landscapes through the same window, they were also exchanging points of view.”)
joesportugal 