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laura
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Post by laura »

I am working for an Italian radio which broadcast daily news in English and other Europian languages.

at the moment I cover the Albanian news program, but I wonder whether I could cover the English news program as well. In order to obtain that position, (English translation and speaker), I am putting myself to the test by translating news from Italian into English. My butt is to improve my translation skills, with regard to news especially.
Below you'll find a short text. thanks in advance. :) :)

Ferragosto
Almost every Italian has gone to the seaside, on the mountains, or is visiting cities of art. at least 40 million of Italian people have taken their holidays on the occasion of Ferragosto week-end. 30 millions have chosen local areas and the other 10 millions have gone abroad. there are 7 million Italians who left yesterday, and who will be back to work this monday. traffic jams are ordinary on the Italian highways these days, especially on those directed to south Italy. according to the Italian Highway society's estimates 7 million automobiles will be moing on the main Italian streets. those traveling with their own cars or motocycles will also have to face new fines. from today on fines have become much more expensive and in some cases they have redoubled. being detected while guiding and speaking on the phone at the same time, or being caught deprived of security belts, and again being caught while guiding your motocycle without a crash helmet, will cost you 68 euros, instead of 32 euros of the previous sanction. security measures have become even more severe for all those who do not respect traffic lights.
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Geoffrey
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Post by Geoffrey »

I find it rather good, but mind the grammar, especially marks of the plural: you write sometimes "million", and sometimes "millions".
Also, I would rather say "THE Ferragosto week-end", since it is the specific week-end.

Then, except for a few words I'm not sure (to guide ? to drive, redoubled ? doubled), but I am not native, your text looks pretty good.

Others might give you more details

Regards,
Geoffrey
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laura
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thanks

Post by laura »

thank you, for the quick answer.

according to ferragosto week-end, I was also in doubt. thanks.

I am still confused about "4 millions of Italians" or 3 million Italians..... I guess it is more extact "4 millions of Italians?

Help please, this kind of confusion in my head is just getting me too upset!!!
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Geoffrey
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Post by Geoffrey »

Well, I also have a doubt about this.

I think the rule says "million" is used, when announcing (precise) numbers (like 3 million Italians), but "millions" is used to give (unprecise) quantities (like millions OF Italians).

However, I'm not so sure myself, and I'd like someone else to confirm.

Regards,
Geoffrey
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Post by Esenthiel »

Millions is always singular if you're saying one, two, three, etc. million. Millions is just a general amount of millions (millions gathered to watch the fireworks display). Here are some minor errors I noticed:

Guiding your motorcycle should be driving your motorcycle.

I am not sure what the British say, but I don't think saying it's necessary to say "crash" helmet. Helmet or motorcycle helmet should be fine. Change "deprived of security belts" to "without their safety belts on". I think that is the better term in British English for the device. It's far good enough to be broadcast over radio and understood by an English speaker.
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laura
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thanks

Post by laura »

hi esenthiel,
thank you for the corrections.
"it's far good enough" means that it is ok?
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Post by hansman »

"It's far good enough" is good English ?

I do know this expression:
in Dutch:
Dat meisje is mooi van ver maar ver van mooi.
or in our very local dialect;
Da meiske is schoon van wijt mor wijt van schoon. :love: :(
in English:
That girl is pretty from far but far from pretty.
(not sure if the latter is correct...)
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Re: thanks

Post by Esenthiel »

laura wrote:hi esenthiel,
thank you for the corrections.
"it's far good enough" means that it is ok?
I meant to say it's good enough by far. Just saying anyone who understands English would have no trouble at all understanding what you're saying. ;)
Es den dotil.
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Re: english text

Post by Guest »

Hi laura :hello:

Here's my native English-speaking version (in press article style) for comparison. Bear in mind I don't have the source document. I've included definite mistakes in bold, other additions/omissions are more cosmetic :

The Ferragosto weekend
Almost every Italian has either gone to the seaside, the mountains, or is visiting cities of art. At least 40 million Italians have left on holiday during this Ferragosto week-end. Thirty million have chosen locations in their own country, and the remaining ten million have gone abroad. Seven million (Italians) left yesterday and are due to return to work on Monday. Traffic jams are commonplace on Italian highways during this period, especially on those leading to the South. The Italian Highway authority estimates that 7m vehicles will be on the move on Italian roads. Those travelling with their own cars or motorcycles will also have to face a new law enforcement system: as from today, fines are far higher, even doubled in some cases. Being caught phoning whilst driving, failing to wear seat belts, or riding your motorcycle without a helmet, will now cost you 68 euros - up from 32 euros previously. Safety measures have become even more strict for disobeying (jumping) traffic lights.

Some pointers:
Try not to start a sentence with a figure or a symbol followed by a figure, which, strictly, should be written out. Useful devices include inversions, such as In all ..., Of the total, 55 million ...

Don't forget sentences start with capital letters.

Plural/singular of hundred, thousand, million, billion, etc.:

In the singular, the words hundred, thousand or million are preceded by a or one:
We hired a hundred new workers.
There are over one million potential customers.


In imprecise numbers, hundreds, thousands or millions take a plural:
We're selling thousands a month.
We're earning millions of pounds.


In precise numbers, or after several and a few, hundred, thousand or million do not take a plural:
To be precise, we have sold eight thousand four hundred and twenty cars.
Several thousand people have bought the new model.
We expect to sell a few hundred a week from now on.


Ciao and good luck in your new venture

ChrisP
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ChrisP
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Post by ChrisP »

Sorry, I timed out. :confused:

The Invité/Guest above was me.

ChrisP
Prononcé "Krispi". J'suis pas crispé... Mais j'ai la lèvre supérieure rigide.
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laura
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thanks

Post by laura »

Chrisp, you are really great!!! :hello:

That's exactly the kind of correction I needed. Some errors, such as beginning a sentence not with a capital letter were due to quickness and distraction, for the time I had at my disposal to write the topic was not enough. Sorry for being too insisting, but I would be really greatful if you offer to help me with other texts. short texts, I promise, just a few lines.


hope to hear from you soon! thanks a lot!!!! :lol:
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ChrisP
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Post by ChrisP »

No problem laura.

I don't speak Italian (well, not much, anyway), or Albanian.

Looking forward to hearing from you

ChrisP
Prononcé "Krispi". J'suis pas crispé... Mais j'ai la lèvre supérieure rigide.
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laura
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laura

Post by laura »

thanks, thanks, thanks!!!! :hello: :hello: :) :)
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laura
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can help you

Post by laura »

can help you with Italian or Albanian........., although it's a little bit difficult for everybody to run across Albanian texts. anyway I would be glad to help.
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Kasandra
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Re: can help you

Post by Kasandra »

laura wrote:can help you with Italian or Albanian........., although it's a little bit difficult for everybody to run across Albanian texts. anyway I would be glad to help.
me, too :)
Living in Vain
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