Jul 28, 2009 18:45
14 yrs ago
1 viewer *
français term
Le(s) concierge(s) roi(s)
français vers anglais
Art / Littérature
Poésie et littérature
A quote from Charles Péguy – Œuvres en prose – 1904 – 1914 – Bibliothèque de la Pléiade.
As far as I can tell, it's never been translated to English.
Note that the idea is echoed before with "des histoires de concierge" [Posted as a separate question]
My problem is not to know what les histoires de concierge are, but rather to find something that resonates in this context. The text is talking about war - the concierge image comes in ludicrous contrast. But I am not sure what or who is Le concierge roi in the symbolism.
"Tant de grandeur, tant de bassesse(s). Trente mille martyrs ; trente mille morts ; trente mille meurtres ; trente mille crimes. Des dévouements sans nom. Trente mille sacrifices ; trente mille folies. La terreur et le meurtre. Et dans tout ça, mêlées, ***des histoires de concierge***. L’assouvissement des haines. La luxure du meurtre et du sang. Un orgueil fou. Une insouciance encore plus admirable. ***Le(s) concierge(s) roi(s)***. Tant de bravoure comme aux temps (les plus) héroïques. Un exercice de trahison comme aux temps les plus bas des abjections romaines ; un jeu de délations plus qu’impériales, plus que triumvirales ; et un exercice, un jeu de fidélités plus qu’antiques, une célébration d’hospitalité plus qu’antique, plus qu’hellénique, plus qu’odysséenne, et plus que Priam aux pieds d’Achille. Et tant de haine et tant de charité qu’en plein treizième siècle. Une sorte de réeclatement à distance, à quelle distance, un éclat soudainement éclaté, à vingt siècles, à sept et quatre siècles, de tout l’antique et de tout le chrétien. Tant d’infamie, tant d’ignominie, tant d’ignobiliesse. Et tant d’espièglerie héroïque."
As far as I can tell, it's never been translated to English.
Note that the idea is echoed before with "des histoires de concierge" [Posted as a separate question]
My problem is not to know what les histoires de concierge are, but rather to find something that resonates in this context. The text is talking about war - the concierge image comes in ludicrous contrast. But I am not sure what or who is Le concierge roi in the symbolism.
"Tant de grandeur, tant de bassesse(s). Trente mille martyrs ; trente mille morts ; trente mille meurtres ; trente mille crimes. Des dévouements sans nom. Trente mille sacrifices ; trente mille folies. La terreur et le meurtre. Et dans tout ça, mêlées, ***des histoires de concierge***. L’assouvissement des haines. La luxure du meurtre et du sang. Un orgueil fou. Une insouciance encore plus admirable. ***Le(s) concierge(s) roi(s)***. Tant de bravoure comme aux temps (les plus) héroïques. Un exercice de trahison comme aux temps les plus bas des abjections romaines ; un jeu de délations plus qu’impériales, plus que triumvirales ; et un exercice, un jeu de fidélités plus qu’antiques, une célébration d’hospitalité plus qu’antique, plus qu’hellénique, plus qu’odysséenne, et plus que Priam aux pieds d’Achille. Et tant de haine et tant de charité qu’en plein treizième siècle. Une sorte de réeclatement à distance, à quelle distance, un éclat soudainement éclaté, à vingt siècles, à sept et quatre siècles, de tout l’antique et de tout le chrétien. Tant d’infamie, tant d’ignominie, tant d’ignobiliesse. Et tant d’espièglerie héroïque."
Proposed translations
(anglais)
Proposed translations
+2
22 heures
Selected
Purveyors of gossip rule the roost
Or repeat "tittle-tattle" cf Ormiston's suggestion for "les histoires de concierge".
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Anne-Marie Grant (X)
: I also like this version
2 heures
|
agree |
Nektaria Notaridou
14 jours
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I'm awarding points somewhat arbitrarily - thanks to all of you for your efforts. I did use gossip in my answer, tying it in poetically with king - which I wanted to keep because of it's connection to the following references to royalty."
+1
52 minutes
The powerful insignificant man.
My interpretation is that “des histoires de concierge” refers to “commérage” and the power of gossips, rumours, calumnies and denunciation, while “le(s) concierge(s) roi(s)” refers to the malevolence people spreading them that the particular historical moment made them all powerful.
Et dans tout ça, mêlées, ***des histoires de concierge***.
And mixed to all this, gossips, rumours, calumnies and denunciation.
L’assouvissement des haines. La luxure du meurtre et du sang. Un orgueil fou. Une insouciance encore plus admirable. ***Le(s) concierge(s) roi(s)***.
The powerful insignificant man.
Et dans tout ça, mêlées, ***des histoires de concierge***.
And mixed to all this, gossips, rumours, calumnies and denunciation.
L’assouvissement des haines. La luxure du meurtre et du sang. Un orgueil fou. Une insouciance encore plus admirable. ***Le(s) concierge(s) roi(s)***.
The powerful insignificant man.
13 minutes
caretaker kings
My suggestion comes from a term I have come across in reading early 20th century Haitian history, a chaotic time when "client presidents" were not uncommon. This means someone put in charge to take care of things (in the Haitian context, by imperial powers). The idea is a leader whose authority is equivalent to that of a concierge. I think this is the sense of the expression here, a mere "caretaker" as opposed to a legitimate leader.
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Note added at 13 hrs (2009-07-29 08:20:20 GMT)
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I don't see the use of "concierge" as an indication of "supreme authority" or "unrivalled access." Rather, the contrasting juxtaposition of KING and CONCIERGE implies a false impression of power... a sense of a functionary. Ormiston's point is well taken: "kingly caretaker." I also agree, to a point, with Simon (see below).
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Note added at 13 hrs (2009-07-29 08:24:35 GMT)
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Sorry, mes ami(e)s, but I can't seem to comment directly on Simon's suggestion. Just want to say that I think he has the sense of it, the contrast between powerful and yet insignificant. (I'd say his translation needs that "and yet"...)
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Note added at 13 hrs (2009-07-29 08:20:20 GMT)
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I don't see the use of "concierge" as an indication of "supreme authority" or "unrivalled access." Rather, the contrasting juxtaposition of KING and CONCIERGE implies a false impression of power... a sense of a functionary. Ormiston's point is well taken: "kingly caretaker." I also agree, to a point, with Simon (see below).
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Note added at 13 hrs (2009-07-29 08:24:35 GMT)
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Sorry, mes ami(e)s, but I can't seem to comment directly on Simon's suggestion. Just want to say that I think he has the sense of it, the contrast between powerful and yet insignificant. (I'd say his translation needs that "and yet"...)
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
ormiston
: odd, but surely that would be the other way round ('rois concièrge')
1 heure
|
neutral |
Anne-Marie Grant (X)
: agree with ormiston . I think it's more the idea of the concierge as supreme authority due to his/her unrivalled access to all the local wheelings and dealings
4 heures
|
+1
21 heures
The almighty / all powerful concierge(s)
I've been mulling this one over and think I may have come up with a way, adjectively, to translate this while maintaining the same register and rhythm: whether he's writing in verse or in prose, Péguy is first and foremost a poet.
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Anne-Marie Grant (X)
: I like your second option
1 jour 16 heures
|
Thank you
|
1 jour 1 heure
The concierge reigns supreme
Another way of expressing the idea that the concierge wielded enormous power by having access to all the neighbourhood gossip and intrigue.
This suggestion also deals with the singular/plural dichotomy of the original.
This suggestion also deals with the singular/plural dichotomy of the original.
21 heures
Street talk runs rife / becomes gospel
or something along these lines (esp. as 'concierge' is causing such problems, and to move away from any idea of actual kings). I presume he means that the views of the populace now dictate. Kind of 'the uneducated masses / concierge types rule OK' (which he seems to deplore).
I am out on a limb as regards the other suggestions but there you go.
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Note added at 1 day20 hrs (2009-07-30 15:35:36 GMT)
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I don't like my street talk - perhaps better expressed as 'the pervasiveness of street gossip' - we are slowly getting there I feel!
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Note added at 2 days22 hrs (2009-07-31 17:35:08 GMT)
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backing for the adjective 'pervasive in the context of gossip & power (although I haven't worked in our concierge's!) Analysing gossip to reveal and understand power relationships ... . .... power/knowledge as a pervasive component of all social relationships provided a ...
www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/.../talkpowerandorganisational/waddi... - Pages similaires
Gossip as pleasure, pursuit, power, and plot device in Jane Austen's novels. ... Introduction Gossiping is one of the most pervasive activities within ...
www.highbeam.com/.../1G1-89381607.html - En cache - Pages similaires
I am out on a limb as regards the other suggestions but there you go.
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Note added at 1 day20 hrs (2009-07-30 15:35:36 GMT)
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I don't like my street talk - perhaps better expressed as 'the pervasiveness of street gossip' - we are slowly getting there I feel!
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Note added at 2 days22 hrs (2009-07-31 17:35:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
backing for the adjective 'pervasive in the context of gossip & power (although I haven't worked in our concierge's!) Analysing gossip to reveal and understand power relationships ... . .... power/knowledge as a pervasive component of all social relationships provided a ...
www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/.../talkpowerandorganisational/waddi... - Pages similaires
Gossip as pleasure, pursuit, power, and plot device in Jane Austen's novels. ... Introduction Gossiping is one of the most pervasive activities within ...
www.highbeam.com/.../1G1-89381607.html - En cache - Pages similaires
Discussion