Translation practice

[aleCcowaN]

Originally Posted by swr999

I find this a thought-provoking reaction. By 'crunches' did you mean to say 'crushes' such as, for example, by the heel of a boot? As though to say that English crushes the life out of literature's emotional content?

You're right, I was certainly thinking of "crushing", but I think my subconscious helped by adding a touch of "Mouli grater". "Somebody passed..." with the aseptic tone of a mortician is the best example of what I call "sanforized emotions" as if saying "somebody died ..." were something in between "the dude kicked the bucket, ha! ha!" and "I killed him". It's the natural byproduct of that combination of Germanic idiosyncrasy and Calvinism that is always expecting from emotions the worst.

[swr999]

Originally Posted by aleCcowaN

You're right, I was certainly thinking of "crushing", but I think my subconscious helped by adding a touch of "Mouli grater". "Somebody passed..." with the aseptic tone of a mortician is the best example of what I call "sanforized emotions" as if saying "somebody died ..." were something in between "the dude kicked the bucket, ha! ha!" and "I killed him". It's the natural byproduct of that combination of Germanic idiosyncrasy and Calvinism that is always expecting from emotions the worst.

Just one word: George Carlin on euphemism (well, OK, four words then) .

[aleCcowaN]

Originally Posted by swr999

Just one word: George Carlin on euphemism (well, OK, four words then) .

Yes, those euphemisms like "her beauty marks don't seem to be working"

Oh, I really miss him! My favourite Frisbeeterian.

[marmoset]

@Alec
Thanks again. I'm thrilled to see I got so close.