Translation Exercise for Beginners: Number 19

Question

This is a thread specifically designed with beginners in mind. If other exercises intimidate you this one shouldn't! Keep in mind that it doesn't matter if you don't get it all right. The actual process of attempting translation, and then correcting yourself is what helps us learn!

There are three rules:

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• Don't look at other people's translations until you have made your own.
• Do not use a translation engine. (Although you can use a dictionary)
• Do vote for the best answers and this thread. If there is a tie, votes make a difference.

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So here is our sentence for Number 19:

Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.

Antonio Machado (1875-1939: Poeta y prosista español)

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Please remember to answer and then vote generously! This helps our thread and helps to choose a winner because if there is a word-for-word tie the answer with the most votes wins! The winner automatically recieves 20 reputation points not counting any votes he/she may have garnered. Every participant receives a vote from me as well for participating. Keep in mind that if you need some time to come up with an answer and if the thread disappears you can find it under the category: Games and Challenges. Have fun! The translation will be posted on Wednesday.

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Translation:

A traveller does not have a path, he forges a path as he goes.

Congratulations Rikko! Thank you everyone for your exceptional translations this time around...see you in Number 20!

...thanks Renae, I love this type of exercises:) - luz_72, Apr 7, 2010

You are welcome! I love this as much as you do! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 1

A traveller makes his own path when there is none.

Rikko, I am compelled to choose your version as it is truest to original translation and very sweet and to the point! Congratulations on catching the meaning as well as accuracy in modern English! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Ha! Finally, I got one right. Gracias, Renae! - Rikko, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 2

Caminante, no hay camino,

se hace camino al andar.

Traveler, there isn't a way,

the way is made by walking.

Fidalgo you did an awesome job! You take second. It is always hard to make these choices...this one was as excellent as any! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Thank you, Renae! - Fidalgo, Apr 9, 2010

Answer 3

Traveler, there is no road, to walk is to make the road.

Very good translation, although "journey" is not the best translation for "andar" - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 4

"Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar."

There is no path for the traveller - the path is in the travelling.)

Well done Renae - keep them coming!

This is exactly how I translated the first part but couldn't figure out the rest! lol - neslita, Apr 7, 2010

Almost! I really like the interpretation, but I have to stay on task here and try to choose most creatively accurate. - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 5

There are no paths, roamer, you mark them while wandering.

Nicely worded, although not true to translation... - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

"mark" is interesting though! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Thanks for your remarks, Rena :) - bomberapolaca, Apr 9, 2010

Answer 6

Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.

Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking.

Very good, you don't need "the". - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 7

I think:

Walker, there is no road. We create our own path as we go along.

Good job! Where does "we" come in? - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

I think they were making it more general. Maybe the use of "one" would have been more suited to the translation! - IsabelTenerife09, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 8

There is no path for a traveler until it is made by his walking.

I like this translation! Keep it up. See the translation for more ideas. - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 9

"Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar."

Traveler, there is no road, but you yourself make the road to walk.

I'm a bit befuddled by this one...

Your answer says the contrary! You did a great job...see other's comments as well as the translation. - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 10

Traveler, there is no road, one makes his road by walking.

Great job! You lack votes to be in the running this time, but keep these coming! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 11

Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.

Traveller - you make your own way (in life)

Awesome! Short, sweet, to the point, I would like to see the mention of the fact that no raod exists to stay true to the author... - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Maybe somethng like, "Traveller, you make your own way when none exists." - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 12

Traveller, there is no road; walking makes your road.

Great Job, Crazy! You lack votes to be in the running this time, but keep it up! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 13

Caminante no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.

Antonio Machado (1875-1939: Poeta y prosista español)

Traveler, there is no path, you make the path by walking.

To make it more 'English':

Humanity, your destiny is what you make it.

Beautiful in every way, Ken! Keep these coming! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

The only lack I see is the lack of votes in this extremely tight exercise! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 14

Traveller, there is no path, the path is made by walking.

Very nice! You lack votes to be in the running this time as everyone is so close in translation, but keep coming with these great translations! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Answer 15

Walker, there is no road, the road is made upon walking.

Traveller is a better choice for "walker". - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010

Good Job otherwise! - renaerules, Apr 8, 2010