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Nov 16, 2019 05:42
4 yrs ago
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inglês term

Most people would sooner die than think

inglês para português Ciências Humanas Filosofia Russell
Bertrand Russell once famously quipped that “Most people would sooner die than think”. I wonder if there is a way of translating this witticism into Portuguese while preserving the humorous effect of the original or even its play on words.
Proposed translations (português)
4 +2 A maior parte das pessoas prefere morrer a pensar
4 +1 A maioria das pessoas prefere morrer do que pensar (just a question of style)
3 Antes morrer do que pensar
Change log

Nov 16, 2019 05:42: changed "Kudoz queue" from "In queue" to "Public"

Nov 17, 2019 04:50: Karen Zaragoza changed "Term asked" from "Translating puns" to "Most people would sooner die than think"

Nov 17, 2019 04:50: Karen Zaragoza changed "Vetting" from "Needs Vetting" to "Vet OK"

Discussion

Mariana Vieira Nov 21, 2019:
Maybe it would be easier if you include the full sentence next time. :) "mais depressa" is a good equivalent, if you keep the second part of the sentence.
Rodrigo Jungmann (asker) Nov 21, 2019:
Prefer to die and actually die I apologize. The full quote is “Many people would sooner die than think, in fact, they do”. Now, here there is a clear pun, grace of which are hard to render into Portuguese.
Nick Taylor Nov 21, 2019:
@Rodrigo Where is the pun? Please elucidate. Furthermore, answers are submiited in good will, nevertheless you have the option of not selecting any answer if you already have a better suggestion. NT
Mariana Vieira Nov 21, 2019:
Aren't you reading too much in Russell's sentence? An option would be "mais depressa morrem do que pensam".
Rodrigo Jungmann (asker) Nov 21, 2019:
People die Russell’s revolves around the fact that most people not only prefer to think than die, but that they actually die before ever thinking. So, none of the suggestions is ultimately satisfactory.

Proposed translations

+2
1 dia 3 horas
Selected

A maior parte das pessoas prefere morrer a pensar

Note from asker:
Actually, it lacks the punning quality. So, it is not perfect at all.
Peer comment(s):
agree Maria Luiza Constancio
6 horas
Muito obrigada, Maria!
agree Michael Lourenço Leite
2 dias 8 horas
Muito obrigada, Michael!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Perfeito "
1 dia 3 horas

Antes morrer do que pensar

Podendo "a maior parte das pessoas" ficar no fim ou início da frase. Eu poria no fim, por razões dramáticas.

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Note added at 1 day 3 hrs (2019-11-17 09:05:46 GMT)
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"Antes morrer do que pensar, dirá a maior parte das pessoas", por exemplo.
Note from asker:
It lacks the punning quality.
Something went wrong...
+1
1 dia 5 horas

A maioria das pessoas prefere morrer do que pensar (just a question of style)

A maioria das pessoas prefere morrer do que pensar
Note from asker:
It lacks the punning quality.
Peer comment(s):
agree Claudia Zambujinho : Se a TL é português Europeu estou 100% de acordo.
1 dia 7 horas
Thankyou Claudia
Something went wrong...
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