translation

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Chris Young
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Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:38 pm

translation

Post by Chris Young » Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:46 pm

Hello, I was hoping somebody could help me with a translation and question. My grandfather in-law just passed away in Finland, and I wanted to make a card to send to my grandmother. I planned to write on the card "A small candle can light up the darkest forest" a Finnish proverb. So, I was looking for a translation (I do not trust Google for accuracy in commonly spoken Finnish) but Google translated as such: Pieni kynttilä voi syttyä synkimpinä metsä

Is this correct? Seems like a direct translation - not the way it would be spoken, but I am unsure. Also, does this seem like an appropriate phrase for the situation? Thank you very much for the help!



translation

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FinnGuyHelsinki
Posts: 1439
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:52 pm

Re: translation

Post by FinnGuyHelsinki » Fri Nov 20, 2015 7:00 am

The auto-translated is incorrect, both in content and form. I'm not familiar with the exact wording of the proverb, do you have that? Word-for-word translation would be "Pieni kynttilä voi valaista pimeimmän metsän", which doesn't ring true. In the sense that if meant as a consolation, it implies that it might, but possibly doesn't light up the forest, and that it would light up the whole forest, not only bring light into the forest.

More appropriate, I think, would be something along the lines of "Pieni kynttilä tuo valon pimeimpäänkin metsään" (A small candle brings light even to the darkest of forests).

Upphew
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Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:55 pm
Location: Lappeenranta

Re: translation

Post by Upphew » Fri Nov 20, 2015 11:37 am

I'd say Kielikoulu section would be better place to get replies for this kind of question.

edit. I didn't report this post for moderators as I think op might wonder where the post went.
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Chris Young
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:38 pm

Re: translation

Post by Chris Young » Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:05 pm

Thanks for your help!

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Pursuivant
Posts: 15089
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 11:51 am
Location: Bath & Wells

Re: translation

Post by Pursuivant » Sat Nov 21, 2015 12:17 am

Dunno, sorry for your loss, but all that sounds just "creepy"
"By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes."


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