Petit Prince/Thï¿½me

Petit Prince/Thème
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Petit Prince/Thème
Message de notrepere posté le 02-03-2013 à 17:15:05 (S | E | F)
Bonjour-

Comme peut-être vous le savez, j'adore ce livre d'Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.** See how much you can translate without using a dictionary!

" Il était une fois un petit prince qui habitait une planète à peine plus grande que lui, et qui avait besoin d'un ami... » Pour ceux qui comprennent la vie, ça aurait eu l'air beaucoup plus vrai.
Car je n'aime pas qu'on lise mon livre à la légère. J'éprouve tant de chagrin à raconter ces souvenirs. Il y a six ans déjà que mon ami s'en est allé avec son mouton. Si j'essaie ici de le décrire, c'est afin de ne pas l'oublier. C'est triste d'oublier un ami. Tout le monde n'a pas eu un ami. Et je puis devenir comme les grandes personnes qui ne s'intéressent plus qu'aux chiffres. C'est donc pour ça encore que j'ai acheté une boîte de couleurs et des crayons. C'est dur de se remettre au dessin, à mon âge, quand on n'a jamais fait d'autres tentatives que celle d'un boa fermé et celle d'un boa ouvert, à l'âge de six ans ! J'essaierai, bien sûr, de faire des portraits le plus ressemblants possible. Mais je ne suis pas tout à fait certain de réussir. Un dessin va, et l'autre ne ressemble plus. Je me trompe un peu aussi sur la taille. Ici le petit prince est trop grand. Là il est trop petit. J'hésite aussi sur la couleur de son costume. Alors je tâtonne comme ci et comme ça, tant bien que mal. Je me tromperai enfin sur certains détails plus importants. Mais ça, il faudra me le pardonner. Mon ami ne donnait jamais d'explications. Il me croyait peut-être semblable à lui. Mais moi, malheureusement, je ne sais pas voir les moutons à travers les caisses. Je suis peut-être un peu comme les grandes personnes. J'ai dû vieillir."

Niveau ou
Ma proposition vers le 12 mars
Bonne chance !!

Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger de Saint-Exupéry[1], né le 29 juin 1900 à Lyon et disparu en vol le 31 juillet 1944 en mer, au large de Marseille, Mort pour la France, est un écrivain, poète et aviateur français.
Le Petit Prince, écrit à New York pendant la guerre, est publié avec ses propres aquarelles en 1943 à New York et en 1945 en France. Ce conte plein de charme et d'humanité devient très vite un immense succès mondial.
D'après Wikipedia.org

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Modifié par notrepere le 02-03-2013 19:05

**Si vous avez besoin de plus de contexte :

Si je vous ai raconté ces détails sur l'astéroïde B 612 et si je vous ai confié son numéro, c'est à cause des grandes personnes. Les grandes personnes aiment les chiffres. Quand vous leur parlez d'un nouvel ami, elles ne vous questionnent jamais sur l'essentiel. Elles ne vous disent jamais : « Quel est le son de sa voix ? Quels sont les jeux qu'il préfère ? Est-ce qu'il collectionne les papillons ? » Elles vous demandent : « Quel âge a-t-il ? Combien a-t-il de frères ? Combien pèse-t-il ? Combien gagne son père ? » Alors seulement elles croient le connaître. Si vous dites aux grandes personnes : « J'ai vu une belle maison en briques roses, avec des géraniums aux fenêtres et des couleurs sur le toit ... », elles ne parviennent pas à s'imaginer cette maison. Il faut leur dire : « J'ai vu une maison de cent mille francs. » Alors, elles s'écrient : « Comme c'est joli ! » Ainsi, si vous leur dites : « La preuve que le petit prince a existé c'est qu'il était ravissant, qu'il riait, et qu'il voulait un mouton. Quand on veut un mouton, c'est la preuve qo'on existe », elles hausseront les épaules et vous traiteront d'enfant ! Mais si vous leur dites : « La planète d'où il venait est l'astéroïde B 612 », alors elles seront convaincues, et elles vous laisseront tranquille avec leurs questions. Elles sont comme ça. Il ne faut pas leur en vouloir. Les enfants doivent être très indulgents envers les grandes personnes. Mais, bien sûr, nous qui comprenons la vie, nous nous moquons bien des numéros ! J'aurais aimé commencer cette histoire à la façon des contes de fées. J'aurais aimé dire : " Il était une fois......

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de lucile83, postée le 02-03-2013 à 18:55:39 (S | E)
Merci pour ce nouveau thème! un peu de douceur....

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de bibi62, postée le 02-03-2013 à 21:23:42 (S | E)
Bonsoir,notrepere,
quel plaisir de vous lire de nouveau.
Voici ma traduction pour laquelle j'ai essayé de ne pas trop utiliser le dictionnaire

“Once upon a time a little prince who lived on a planet just a little bigger than him, and who needed a friend …”For those who understand life , it would have seemed much more real.
Because I don’t like people read my book thoughtlessly.
I’m so afflicted by telling those memories. It has been six years now since my friend went away with his sheep. If I’m trying here to describe him, it’s to not forget him. It’s sad about forgetting a friend. Not everyone has had a friend .And I could become like adults who are only interested in numbers. Then, it’s still for that I bought a colors’ box and pencils. It’s hard to take up drawing again, at my age, when we have never done other attempts than that of a closed boa and that of an opened boa, at six years old! I would try to do portraits as more lifelike as possible of course. But I ‘m not really certain to succeed in it. A drawing is good and another doesn’t look like him anymore. I also do mistake about the size . Here the little prince is too tall. There ,he’s too small. I also hesitate over the color of his suit. So, I grope around so-so, after a fashion. Finally, I’ll be mistaken about more important details. But ,you will forgive me for that. My friend has never given me explanations. Maybe, he believed I was like him. But, unfortunately,I ‘m not able to see sheep through boxes. Maybe I’m a little like adults. I must have got old.

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Modifié par bibi62 le 08-03-2013 11:43

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de alsa68, postée le 02-03-2013 à 21:50:57 (S | E)
Like the author I have tried my best. I am sure to have made mistakes but I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. I too am a fan of Le Petit Prince. Thank you for the opportunity.
Kind regards
“Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet barely bigger than him, and he needed a friend…” For those who understand life, it would have seemed much more real.
For you see, I don’t like people to read my book lightly. I feel such sadness when I relate these memories. It has been six years already since my friend has left with his sheep. If I attempt to describe him here it is so I do not forget him. No everyone has had a friend. And I may become like adults who are only interested in numbers. That is another reason why I have bought a box of crayons and some pencils. It is hard to attempt drawing again at my age, as I have never tried to draw anything except a closed and an open boa since the age of six! I will try, of course, to draw the best likeness I can. But I am not at all certain to succeed. In this attempt the little prince is too tall; then he is too small. I hesitate also with the colour of his costume. So I fumble here and there as best I can. I am also sure to make mistakes on certain more important details. But for that, you will have to forgive me. My friend never gave any explanations. Maybe he believed me to be like him. But unfortunately, I for one cannot see sheep through a box. Maybe I am a little like adults. I must have grown older.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de zodiac97500, postée le 02-03-2013 à 22:55:30 (S | E)
Good Evening

" Once upon a time a little prince who needed a freind and living on a planet barely bigger than him " For those who understand life , it would have seemed more real .
As I don't apreciate to have someone reading my book lightly . I am feeling so sad tellling about these memories . Six years already that my freind went away with his sheep . Trying here to describe it , this is some way not to forget him . It is so sad to forget a freind . Thi is not everyone who has had a freind . And I could become like some adults only intrested by figures . This is why I again bought a box of colours and crayons .
At my age , it's quite hard to come back to drawing , when we have never made some other try than a close boa and an open boa at six years old ! I will try of course to draw portraits the most alike possible .
But I am not really sure to succeed . one drawing is ok , and the other one is ruined . I make some little mistake about the size . Here the little Prince is too big . Here he is too small . I am not sure about the colour of his costume . So I grope for it this way or that way so and so . I will make mistakes on some more important details . But about this , you will have to forgive me about it . My freind was never giving me any explanations . Maybe that in his mind I was an equal beeing . but me unfortunately I don't know how to see the sheeps through boxes . Maybe that I am a little bit like the grownups . I may have become old .

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de irish21, postée le 03-03-2013 à 09:35:19 (S | E)
Hello notrepere,
thank you for this exercise.
I didn't understand the meaning of this sentence: "Et je puis devenir comme les grandes personnes qui ne s'intéressent plus qu'aux chiffres".
So, I have not been able to translate it

"Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was hardly bigger than himself and who had need of a friend...". To those
who understand life, that would have seemed to be much more true. Because I don't like anyone to read my book carelessly. I feel too much grief when
I tell these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make certain I
won't forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not everyone has had a friend. It is for that reason again that I have bought a box of paints and some
pencils. It is hard to take up drawing again at my age, when we have never done other attemps except a closed and an open boa since the age of six.
Of course, I will try to make some portraits as true to life as possible. But I'm not very sure of success. One drawing goes all right, and another
seems to have no resemblance. I make an error too, about the little prince's height: either he is too tall or he is too short. Moreover I feel some
doubts about the colour of his costume. So, I fumble as best one can. Also I will make mistakes on certain more important details, but about that, you
will have to forgive me. My friend never explained anything to me. Maybe he thought I was like himself. But unfortunately I don't know to see sheep
through the boxes. Perhaps I am a little like the grown-ups. I have had to grow old.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de komiks, postée le 03-03-2013 à 11:33:16 (S | E)
Hello notrepere !
Thanks for this new translation !
Here's my try

“Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than him and who needed a friend… For those who understand life, it would have seemed truer.Because I don’t like we read my book heedlessly. I feel so sad when I tell these memories. It was already 6 years ago that my friend left with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it’s in order not to forget him. It’s sad to forget a friend. Not everybody had a friend. And I may become like the grown-ups whose single interest is to count. That’s why I bought a coloured pencils box and some pencils. It’s hard to start drawing again, at my age, when you have never drawn anything, except a closed and a opened boa, when you were six !! Of course, I’ll try to draw portraits as truelife as I can. But I’m not sure to manage. A drawing’s good, another doesn’t look like anymore. I make mistakes about the height too. Either he’s too tall or too short. I also hesitate about the colour of his clothes. Then, I try one thing or the other. I’ll finally make mistakes about some important details. But, you’ll have to forgive me. My friend used to never explain anything to me. Maybe he thought I was like him. Unfortunately for me, I can’t see sheep through the boxes. Maybe I’m like the grown-ups . I must have grown old”

Hope it's good ... it was a bit difficult
See you !

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de nick27, postée le 03-03-2013 à 12:27:41 (S | E)
Hello!

"Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than him and who needed a friend...
To those who understand life, that would have sounded much more like the truth.
For I don't like people to read my book in a careless way. I feel so sad to speak about these memories. It's been six years now since my friend went away with his sheep. And I'm trying now to give a description of him in the hope that I will never forget him. It's so sad to forget a friend. Not everyone has had a friend. And I'm likely to become like the adults who are interested only in figures. That's why again I bought a box of paints and some pencils. It's not easy to get back to drawing at my age when all I have ever drawn is an opened boa and a closed boa when I was six. Of course I'll try my best to make portraits as similar to how they are in real life as possible. However I'm not quite sure I'll manage it. One portrait will be fine and the other will no longer look like the model. Also, I often mistake dimensions. In one portrait the little prince is too tall, in another he is too short. I also have some hesitations about the color of his costume. So I begin to experiment with things... sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. And then I'll make mistakes on certain more important details. But you'll have to forgive me. My friend never explained anything to me. Maybe he thought I was like him but unfortunately I can't see sheep through boxes. Maybe I'm like the adults. I must have grown up."

Thanks notrepere

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Modifié par nick27 le 10-03-2013 18:10

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de mamou3, postée le 03-03-2013 à 12:46:26 (S | E)
Hello notrepere,

It's better. It's an extraordinary story, of course
The translation isn't easy. I only used the dictionary for 2 words and I am not sure for tenses..

Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than himself and who needed a friend.
For those who understand life that would have looked much more real. Because I don't like people read to my book without thinking. I feel so much sorrow telling these memories. It has already six years since my friend went away with his sheep. If I'm trying here to describe him, it's to not forget him. It's sad to forget a friend. Everybody didn't have one friend. And I maybe become like the grown-ups who are only intersted in numbers. This is why I have bought a box of paints and pencils. It's hard to get back to drawing, at my age. When we never made other attempts that painting a close boa and an open boa and that at the age of six !
I will try of course to make my portraits as true as possible. But I'm not quite sure of success.
One drawing suits, another has no resemblance. I'm wrong a little also on the size.Here, the little prince is too tall. There he is too small. I also hesitate about the colour of his suit. So I grope around like this and like that somehow. I'll make mistakes also on certain more important details. But that it will be necessary to forgive me. My friend never gave explanations. He maybe thought that I was similar to him.
But unfortunately, I cannot see sheep through boxes. Maybe I'm a little like grown-ups. I must have got old.

Thank you for this new exercise !

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Modifié par mamou3 le 04-03-2013 06:36

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de lakata, postée le 04-03-2013 à 22:13:46 (S | E)
Hello dear notrepere!

Thank you so much for this very successful exercise ( Que voilà un exercice bien achalandé, dirais-je en français...well-patronized? ). If this time the sentences are really shorter than in the previous one, the translation is not that easy, is it?
Anyway, let's go!

The little prince.

« Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly larger than him, and who needed a friend... ». For those who see what life means, it would have seemed much more real.

You know, I do not like my book being read lightly. Relating those memories grieves me so much. It has been six years already since my friend left with his sheep. If I am trying to depict him here, it is to not forget him. Forgetting a friend is sad. There are some people who have never had any friend/ Not everyone has had a friend. And I may become like those grown-ups who are now only interested in figures. That is also why I bought a box of paints and some pencils. It is hard to start drawing again, at my age, when the only attempts ever made were a closed boa and an open boa, at the age of six !
Of course I am going to try to draw likenesses as well as possible. But I am not totally sure it will be a success. One drawing is ok,while the other is not. I can be a little mistaken about the size as well. Here the little prince is too tall. There too short. I am also not sure about the colour of his clothes. So I grope for ways, here and there, somehow. I will finally be mistaken about some more important details. But you will have to forgive me for that. My friend never explained anything. He might have thought I was like him. But unfortunately, I cannot see sheep through the crates. I might be like the grown-ups. I must have grown old.
Notrepere, je t'ai dessiné un mouton. Et, crois-moi, c'était pas facile car il arrête pas de bouger...

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de vydock, postée le 05-03-2013 à 19:35:10 (S | E)
Hello,
I like this trick; thanks a lot notrepere.

“Once upon a time a little Prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than him, and who needed a friend… » For those who understand life that would have seemed more real.
Because I don’t like a lightly reading of my books. Telling those memories makes me feel a lot of sorrow. There are already six years my friend went away with his sheep. If I try to describe him it’s because I don’t want to forget him. forgetting a friend is sad. Everybody hadn’t got a friend. And I can become like a grown-up just interested in figures. That’s also why I bought a paint and pencils box. It’s difficult to resume on drawings, old as I am, when the tries done before, at six years old, was nothing else than a shut boa or an open one! I will try, naturally, to draw portraits as resembling as possible. But I’m not quite sure to succeed. One drawing is correct and the other is no more resembling. I’m wrong also with the size. Here the little prince is too tall. There he is too small. I hesitate on the color of his suit. So I grope for like this and like that, somehow. I will wrong myself on some details more important. However about that I need to be forgiven. My friend had never provided explanations. Perhaps he thought I was like him. But me, unfortunately, I don’t know how to see sheep through boxes. Perhaps I’m a bit like grown-ups. I must be old.

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Modifié par lucile83 le 05-03-2013 21:24

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de dolfine56, postée le 06-03-2013 à 11:54:48 (S | E)
Hello, Notrepère...thanks a lot for that new one.

Once upon a time,there was a little prince, living on a planet hardly bigger than him, and who needed a friend...For those who know what life means,it would have seemed much more true.
For I don't like people to read my book carelessly.I feel so sad telling these memories ..Six years have alreaday passed since my friend went away with his sheep.If I try to describe him,it's to not forget him.it's so sad to forget a friend!not everybody has a friend and it's possible I have became like adults who are only interested in numbers. That is why I bought a box of paints and pencils.It's hard to come back to drawing at my age when you have never made other attempt than a close boa and an open one when I was six years old ! Of course, I'll try to draw the portraits as true as possible, but I'm not sure to succeed.One drawing is nice,and one another looks like nothing.I make an error too with the littel prince ,here he is too tall,there he is too short.I also hesitate about the colour of his clothes.so I try one thing and another the best I can.I'm sure to make mistakes about some more important details,on which you'll have to forgive me.My friend never explained anything to me.Maybe he thought I am like him.Unfortunately,I can't see sheep through the boxes.Maybe I'm like the adults.I must have grown old.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de lucile83, postée le 06-03-2013 à 21:59:07 (S | E)
Hello dear np

Here is my try. I liked that text very much. I'll have to proofread it before March 12th.
Thank you

Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than himself and who needed a friend…For those who understand what life is, it would have sounded closer to the truth.
For I dislike my book to be read carelessly. I feel so sad when I tell about those memories. It has been six years already since my friend left with his sheep. I am trying to describe him here because I do not want to forget him. It is sad to forget a friend. Not everybody has had a friend. And I still may behave as grown-ups who are just interested in figures. That is again the reason why I have bought a box of paints and a few pencils. It is hard to start drawing again at my age, having never made any other attempt than drawing a close boa and an open boa at the age of six! I’ll try of course to draw portraits as true as possible. But I am not sure to succeed. One drawing is all right, and the other one is not. I am also mistaken on the size. Here the little prince is too tall. There he is too small. I am not sure either about the colour of his suit. Then I try here and there, somehow. I will be mistaken at last about some more important details. But for that, you’ll have to forgive me. My friend never gave any explanations. Perhaps he thought I was just like him. But I,unfortunately, can’t see sheep through boxes. I may be a little like adults. I must have grown older.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de clairefr, postée le 07-03-2013 à 13:38:04 (S | E)
Hello notrepere,

Thank you for this text
Here is my try !

"Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than him and who needed a friend..." For those who understand life, it would have seemed more real.
I don't like my book to be read not seriously. I feel so sad when I tell these memories. It has already been six years since my friend left with his sheep. If I'm trying here to describe him, that's because I don't want to forget him. That's so sad to forget a friend. Everybody hasn't had a friend. And I don't want to be like these grown-ups who are only interested in figures. That's why I bought a paintbox and pencils. It's hard to start again drawing, at my age, when the only things I did were trying to draw closed boa and opened boa, at six years old! I'll try, of course, to draw as accurate a portrait as possible. But I'm not totally sure to succeed. One drawing is going, the next one doesn't. I also make some mistakes about the size. Here the little prince is to tall, there he is to small. I also hesitate about his suit's colour. So I grope more or less, somehow. I'll make some mistakes about other details. But you'll have to forgive me for that. My friend didn't use to give any explanation. He probably thought I was like him. But, unfortunately, I'm no able to see sheep through boxes. I may be like grown-ups. I must have getting old.

Well that wasn't easy !
Have a nice day !

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Modifié par clairefr le 07-03-2013 13:41

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de ariane6, postée le 08-03-2013 à 09:59:05 (S | E)
Hello np,

"Once upon a time, there was a little prince living on a planet barely larger than himself, who was in need of a friend..." To the worldly wise, it would have rung much more true.
Because I don't like my book to be taken lightly. I feel so much sorrow talking about these memories. Six years have passed since my friend went away with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it's so as not to forget him. It's sad to forget a friend. Not everyone has had a friend. And I could become like the grown-ups, only interested in numbers and figures. That's also the reason why I bought a box of paints and some pencils. It's hard to get back to drawing pictures, at my age, when you've never attempted to draw more than a closed boa and an open boa, at six! Of course, I'll try to draw the portraits as accurately as possible. But I'm not entirely sure I'll be successful. A drawing looks alright while another no longer bears any resemblance. I also sometimes make mistakes with the height. Here the little prince is too tall. There, he's too short. I also have to think about the color of his costume. In fact, first I try it like this and then like that, one way or another. In the end I'll be wrong on other more important details. But for that, you will have to forgive me. My friend never used to give me explanations. Perhaps he believed I was like him. But unfortunately, I don't know how to see sheep through boxes. Perhaps, I'm a little like the grown-ups. I may have grown old.

Thank you for this new excerpt !

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de swan85, postée le 08-03-2013 à 11:56:08 (S | E)
Thank you very much notrepere for this new theme

Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than himself and who needed a friend…. »
For those who understand life it would have seemed much more real.
As I don’t like my book to be read carelessly. I feel so sorrowful when I tell these memories.
It has already been 6 years since my friend left with his sheep. If I try here to describe him it’s because I don’t want to forget him. It’s sad to forget a friend.
Everybody has not had a friend. And I may become like the grown-ups who are interested only by the figures. Again, this is the reason why I have bought a paint box and pencils.
It’s hard to start drawing again, at my age, when you have never made other attempts than the one of a closed boa and of an open boa, at the age of 6.
Of course, I will try to do portraits as true as possible. But I am not sure to succeed. One drawing is correct and the other one is not. I also make small mistakes on the height. Here little prince is too tall, there he is too short.
I am hesitant also about the color of his suit. Consequently I grope around, as best I can. Finally, I will make mistakes regarding some more important details. For that you will have to forgive me. My friend never explained anything. He thought I was like him. But unfortunately I don’t know how to see the sheeps through the crates. Maybe I am like the grown-ups. I must have become older.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de maya92, postée le 08-03-2013 à 17:40:01 (S | E)
Bonsoir notrepere,

"Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly bigger than himself and who wanted a friend… To those who understand life, this might have sounded much more realistic but I would not like my book to be read carelessly. I feel so sad telling those memories. Six years have gone by already since my friend has vanished with his sheep. If I’m trying to describe him, it is for me not to forget him. It is sad to forget a friend. Not anybody has had a friend and I could turn into one of those adults who are only interested in figures. This is why I have bought a box of crayons. It is difficult to take up drawing at my age when your only attempt, when you were six, was drawing a closed and an open boa ! I’ll try of course to draw a very good likeness of him, but I am not at all certain to be successful. One drawing is good, the other one is not. I may be wrong about his size too : here the little Prince is too tall, there he is too small. I am not sure of the colour of his costume either. So I grope around here and there, doing my best. I may be mistaken about more significant details and you will have to forgive me. My friend never explained anything, he probably thought I was just like him. But, unfortunately, I can’t see sheep through crates. I may be like adults, I must have grown old.

Thank you very much, hard work again...Hope to read soon

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de gerondif, postée le 08-03-2013 à 19:55:34 (S | E)
Ok np,
without a dictionary, or looking at the other translations:
Once upon a time,there was a little(young) Prince who used to live on a planet hardly bigger than he was, and who needed a friend..." This would have sounded much more likely for those who understand what life is really about.
For I don't like(fancy) people reading my book lightheartedly. I feel so much grief telling those memories.It's been six years already since my friend went away with his sheep). If I try to describe him here, it's in order not to forget him (The only reason why I describe him here is in order not to forget him). It's a sad thing when you forget a friend. Not everybody had a friend. And (if I'm not careful)I might end up like all those grown-ups who are only interested in figures any more.So, that's also the reason why I bought a box of crayons and some pencils. It's hard to resume drawing, at my age, when you have never tried drawing (when you have never had a try at drawing anything else but) anything else than (but)an open and a closed boa, when you were six years old. I will of course try to draw as resembling portraits as possible. But I am not at all sure I may succeed. One drawing might fit, and the next one be far off. I am also wrong about his actual size. In this drawing, the little Prince is too tall. In that one, he is too small.I am also hesitant about the colour of his costume. So, I grope my way around, somehow.I will certainly be wrong as well about certain more important details. But there, You will have to forgive me about that. My friend would never give any explanations. Maybe he thought we were birds of a feather. But unfortunately, as far as I am concerned,I am unable to see any sheep through crates.Maybe I am a little like the grown-ups. I must have grown old.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de violet91, postée le 08-03-2013 à 20:25:55 (S | E)

Hello to all and thank you notrepere for such a delicate choice and sensitive excerpt !

- Here is my suggestion :

' Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet scarcely bigger than him ( = he was) and who longed for ( needed ) a friend .' For those who appreciate the meaning of life, this would have sounded ( seemed) more like a true story .

Indeed I can't stand ( bear)the idea of my book not being read seriously ( book to be read like a pretty-pretty tale ). I feel so deeply grieved as evoking these memories. Six years have already elapsed (passed) since the departure of my friend with (and) his sheep. If I am trying here to describe him , it is my way for not forgetting him at all. ( for remembering him as faithfully as I can). A friend falling ( sinking) into oblivion is such a sad thing ! Everybody has not been lucky enough to find the right person to make friends with ( hasn't had a trusted friend), have they ? And I might become like those grown-ups who involve themselves in nothing else but figures ( = obsessed by figures ) henceforth. That is also the other reason why I bought myself a box of paints and some pencils. I find it quite hard to get back to drawing at my age , especially as my only attempts were to depict a closed boa ( 'from the inside') or an open boa (one)( 'from the outside'), when I was six-year-old . I will do my best , I promise, to sketch portraits as resembling as possible . Yet I don't know for sure if I'll be successful. This portrait will fit and that one will differ completely . I am also a little mixed up with the height( friend)[size (drawing)] . Here the little prince is too tall and there, he is too small. I am uncertain about the exact tint ( colo(u)r) of his clothing too. Therefore, I grope around trying this, trying that , as well as can be expected ( so-so). And in the end I'll be wrong in missing certain more important details. But for that,you know, you will have to forgive me . My friend would never give explanations of any kind . He might have thought I was the same as he . But unfortunately, I cannot see sheep through crates . I may turn a little like adults. I must have grown old .

Grateful for this pleasant moment .

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de aneth-estragon, postée le 09-03-2013 à 11:36:29 (S | E)
Hello! This is NOT my first draft. Thank you for your kind comments and suggestions! I've changed it all! Thank you so much!

"Once upon a time, there was a little prince. He lived on a planet not much bigger than himself. And this little prince missed having a friend."
To those of my readers that know what life is all about, this would have been easier to imagine.
For I don't want you to read my book carelessly. I feel so sad as I'm recounting these memories. It's been six years already since my friend went away, taking his sheep along with him. I'm only trying to depict him now, so that I won't forget him. It is sad to forget a friend. Not everybody has had a friend. And I fear I might become like these adults who have grown to find interest in figures only.
This is also why I bought a set of watercolors and a few pencils. It's hard to take up drawing again, at my age, when the only things I ever did were the outside and the inside of a boa, at age 6. I shall do my best, of course, to draw portraits as true-to-life as can be. Yet I'm not really sure to succeed. One drawing is fine; then the next one is hopeless yet again. I'm always a little mistaken about his stature too. Here, the little prince looks too tall. There he looks too short. Also, I'm pondering over the color of his outfit. So, I'm trying hard, fumbling around as best I can. And I'm sure to be wrong about some more important details. But for this, you'll have to forgive me. My friend would never give any explanation. He thought maybe I was someone like him. But I, sadly, am not able to see a sheep through a box. Maybe I'm a little more like an adult. I must have grown up.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de notrepere, postée le 10-03-2013 à 05:53:18 (S | E)
Hello all,

If you have posted a translation but have not yet received a personal correction, please send me a message if you would like one.
Si vous avez posté une traduction mais que vous n'avez pas encore reçu de correction personnelle, envoyez-moi un message si vous en voulez une.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de plumet98, postée le 11-03-2013 à 08:10:08 (S | E)
hello
I used the translator for certain words

Once upon a time a little prince who lived in a planet Hardly bigger than him, and who was needing a friend.For them who understand the life, it would have seemedmuch more real.
Because I don't like peolpe read my book lightly . I feel all the sorrow to tellthoss memories there are already six tears my friendhas left withhis sheep, if I am trying here to decribe him, it is not to forget him.
It's sad to forget a friend.
Everyboby has not had one friend.
And I could become like adults who are only interested in number.
It 's so that reason I bought one colors box and penclis.
It's hard to come back to the drawing again at my age , when we have never done other attempts except that to closed and opened boa, at six years old! I would attempt of course to do portraits the most likeness possible.
But, I don't really certain to succes.
A drawing is good and another doesn't like .
I make a little mistake on the size.
Here the little pronce is too tall, there is too small.
I hesitated about the color of the suit.
So I grope so-so I would make mistakes on the most importing details , but you will forgive me for that.
My friend never gave any explanations.
Maybe he believed I was like him.
But unfortunatly I don't know to see the sheep through the boxes.
I maybe a little like adults I must have got old.

thank you

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de sanna6, postée le 11-03-2013 à 19:19:49 (S | E)
Bonsoir,

I tried to translate this extract before tomorrow but it's really difficult and I used my dictionary.

“Once upon a time there was a little prince (who) lived on a planet nearby more taller than him, and he needed a friend…”
For those who understand the life, that would have seemed much true.
Because I don’t like we read my book lightly.
I feel so sad to talk about these memories. there was 6 years ago that my friend is left with his sheep.
If I try here to describe him, it’s for not forget him. It’s sad to forget a friend.
Everybody haven’t had a friend. And I cannot become like grown ups who are interested only by numbers.
That’s why I bought a box of colours and some pencils.
It’s difficult to draw again at my age when I have never tried other thing than a boa (fermé et celle d’un boa ouvert ) at 6 years old!
I will try, of course, to make some drawing the most similar than possible.
But I’m not sure to succeed. A drawing is good and the other doesn’t look like. I make some mistakes too, on the height. Here the little prince is tall. And there, he’s small. I doubt also on the colour of his costume.
So I try so so with difficulty.
I will make some mistakes also on some important details. But about that I hope you will pardon me. My friend has never given any explanation.
Perhaps he thought I was like him.
But unfortunately for me, I cannot see sheep through (inside) the boxes.
May be I am a little like the grown ups. I got old.

Thank you for this translation.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de notrepere, postée le 12-03-2013 à 01:36:07 (S | E)
Bonjour! Avant de vous donner ma proposition, voici deux autres traductions populaires :

Traduction de Katherine Woods (1943)

"Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was scarcely any bigger than himself, and who had need of a sheep..."
To those that understand life, that would have given a much greater air of truth to my story. For I do not want anyone to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not everyone has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures... It is for that purpose, again, that I have bought a box of paints and some pencils. It is hard to take up drawing again at my age, when I have never made any pictures except those of the boa constrictor from the outside and the boa constrictor from the inside, since I was six. I shall certainly try to make my portraits as true to life as possible. But I am not at all sure of success. One drawing goes along all right, and another has no resemblance to its subject. I make some errors, too, in the little prince's height: in one place he is too tall and in another too short. And I feel some doubts about the color of his costume. So I fumble along as best I can, now good, now bad, and I hope generally fair-to-middling. In certain more important details I shall make mistakes, also. But that is something that will not be my fault. My friend never explained anything to me. He though, perhaps, that I was like himself. But I, alas, do not know how to see sheep through the walls of boxes. Perhaps I am a little like the grown-ups. I have had to grow old.

Traduction de Richard Howard (1995)

"Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet hardly any bigger than he was, and who needed a friend..." For those who understand life, that would sound much truer. The fact is, I don't want my book to be taken lightly. Telling these memories is so painful for me. It's already been six years since my friend went away, taking his sheep with him. If I try to describe him here, it's so I won't forget him. It's sad to forget a friend. Not everyone has had a friend. And I might become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but numbers. Which is still another reason why I've bought a box of paints and some pencils. It's hard to go back to drawing, at my age, when you've never made any attempts since the one of a boa from the inside and the one of a boa from outside at the age of six! I'll certainly try to make my portraits as true to life as possible. But I'm not entirely sure of succeeding. One drawing works, and the next no longer bears any resemblance. And I'm a little off on his height, too. In this one the little prince is too tall. And here he's too short. And I'm uncertain about the color of his suit. So I grope in one direction and another, as best I can. In the end, I'm sure to get certain more important details all wrong. But here you'll have to forgive me. My friend never explained anything. Perhaps he thought I was like himself. But I, unfortunately, cannot see a sheep through the sides of a crate. I may be a little like the grown-ups. I must have grown old.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Ma proposition:

"Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet not much bigger than himself and who needed a friend..." Those who comprehend life will find in these words a deeper truth. Because I don't want you to take this story lightly. I experience such deep sorrow recounting these memories. Already six years have passed since my friend went away with his sheep. By trying to describe him, I only seek not to forget him. To forget him or any friend would be sad. Not everyone has had a friend. And I might be in danger of becoming like the grown-ups who care about nothing but facts and figures. That is why I bought a paintbox and some colored pencils. It's difficult to take up drawing again at my age when your only other examples were a boa constrictor drawn from the outside and inside at age six! However, I will try to be as faithful to his memory as possible. But I don't always meet with success: one drawing will be fine but the next one will be all wrong. I'm also a little unsure about his height: in this one he's too tall; in that one he's too short. I also struggle with the color of his outfit. So I proceed by trial and error as best I can. In the end, I'm sure I will get the most important details wrong. And for that, you will have to forgive me. My friend never explained anything. Maybe he thought that he and I were alike. But imagining a sheep inside a box is something I sadly don't know how to do. Maybe I've become like the grown-ups after all: I have grown up.

Pour ceux = For/To those ou the ones
beaucoup plus vrai = le sens de cet extrait est difficile à traduire en anglais; the word 'true' means so many different things in English.
raconter = memories can be recalled, or recounted or evoked; I don't personally like using the verb 'tell' in this context, but it is also acceptable.
il y a + déjà que = cette construction demande le present perfect + since en anglais à cause du mot 'already' (or a similar construction):
It has already been six years since + past simple.
Six years have already passed since...
aux chiffres = figures/numbers (facts and figures = expression idiomatique en anglais)
fermé et ouvert - open et closed les deux conviennent mais (from the) outside and inside sont des adjectifs plus clairs en anglais.
à l'âge de six ans = attention à l'emploi juste : at age six/at the age of six/as a six-year-old
un dessin va = le verbe 'aller' dans le contexte ne se traduit pas comme 'go' en anglais.
ça ne marche pas = that doesn't work
un = one (One drawing....while another.../One is OK but then the next one isn't, etc.)
taille = height, donc 'grand' et 'petit' = tall/short
tâtonner / dans le contexte, 'grope' n'est pas le meilleur choix

OALD:
1) to try and find something that you cannot see, by feeling with your hands
2) to try and reach a place by feeling with your hands because you cannot see clearly
3) connotation sexuelle
Lien internet

Je trouve: expérimenter: to proceed by trial and error
le meilleur sens
Lien internet

Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas à les poster sur le forum ou à m'envoyer un message privé.

Merci pour votre participation.

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de lucile83, postée le 12-03-2013 à 11:34:46 (S | E)
Hello dear np

Thank you for the translations, yours included. I like to compare those texts very much.
Shall I tell you which my favourite is? yours of course...or mine?

Spring's coming !

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de lakata, postée le 12-03-2013 à 17:44:33 (S | E)
Hello dear notrepere!

My sheep and I are very happy to THANK YOU for this exercise and its three translations + comments...as well as for the next theme we are both eager to do...
P.S. I didn't know the idiom "proceed by trial and error" which was actually the only way to translate "tâtonner" in this context. Thanks again!

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de notrepere, postée le 12-03-2013 à 18:46:20 (S | E)
Hello Lakata

I was a little pressed for time last night and didn't have time to do a longer correction. I think 'fumble' would be OK too. We often use the verb 'fumble' when talking about things we do with our hands. If you can't draw, it is said that you 'fumble around'. Although 'grope around' is listed in some dictionaries with a similar meaning, I think it's best to make another choice in this case. But since he says "comme çi comme ça" I thought that 'proceed by trial and error' was the perfect fit.

I was very impressed with all of your translations.

Bonne journée

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de aneth-estragon, postée le 12-03-2013 à 19:38:22 (S | E)
Hello
Thank you once more. "Struggle" is probably the word I was struggling for in that sentence... It's perfect to me.
The little prince must be very happy, for there's a new planet shining in his sky

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de bibi62, postée le 12-03-2013 à 20:43:02 (S | E)
Dear notrepere,

It's

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de clairefr, postée le 12-03-2013 à 20:51:46 (S | E)

Thank you notrepere for these translations. It's very useful !

Réponse: Petit Prince/Thème de mamou3, postée le 13-03-2013 à 06:14:24 (S | E)
Hello notrepere,
Thank you for yours translations and particularly for your personal correction. Thanks a lot also for this poetic moment !
We are waiting for your next exercise impatiently!

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