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Glossary entry

Italian term or phrase:

tela strappata e sdrucita da logori luoghi comuni

English translation:

Against the shredded fabric of this Eternal City...

Added to glossary by Juliet Halewood (X)
Apr 1, 2008 10:50
16 yrs ago
Italian term

tela strappata e sdrucita da logori luoghi comuni

Italian to English Other Tourism & Travel Rome
Di fronte alla tela strappata e sdrucita da logori luoghi comuni, di una Città Eterna condannata dal pregiudizio, l’eleganza a volte, risiede nelle pietre parlanti, quelle che raccontano favole antiche.

Once again, any help much appreciated!
Proposed translations (English)
2 +3 Against the shredded fabric of this Eternal City...
5 the ragged fabric torn by worn out common places
4 the torn canvas, unravelled by worn-out clichés
4 a canvas torn and ruined by tired stereotypes
4 threadbare canvas worn and torn by hackneyed platitudes
4 worn and torn as an old painting by commonplace cliches
3 Torn canvass ripped by well-worn platitudes
3 a canvas that is rent and laid threadbare by old worn out clichés

Discussion

Juliet Halewood (X) (asker) Apr 3, 2008:
Thanks to all of you for your input (even if it went off track a bit)!
Paul O'Brien Apr 1, 2008:
absolutely. good point. as for the translation we're going with, the answer is simple, dear boy: mine.
Tom in London Apr 1, 2008:
I would point out the for the Palestinians, Jerusalem is also the Eternal City. Anyway, what translation are we going with here?
Paul O'Brien Apr 1, 2008:
hey, gad, i'll be mistaken for a jewish mourner, cos, what with translation workloads and all, i haven't shaved for a month. FYO, check out the verb "to rent", as i think it is more apt in the jewish mourning context than "shred" (though i may be wrong).
Gad Kohenov Apr 1, 2008:
Gemma. I was stating a fact. Not saying that in this case we are not talking of Rome. The story of Judea Capta is well known. Shredding clothes in indeed the Jewish act of mourning , just like not shaving for a month. I am a tourist guide too. Such texts!
Gemma Monco Waters Apr 1, 2008:
Anyway, JulesH has already said they are speaking of Rome. He is also doing a translation about Trieste. The poor boy must be doing any Italian town of importance, which would take him like forever.
Gemma Monco Waters Apr 1, 2008:
desertfox, I like you and I respect your faith, but the Romans razed Jerusalem to the ground, not an act to be proud of, but for centuries Jerusalem has only been an idea in the mind of people, while Rome has always been there in the flesh, so to speak.
Paul O'Brien Apr 1, 2008:
yes, jerusalem is what i had in mind with the rented cloth (renting is an act of jewish mourning) and everything in the quotation seems to point to jerusalem. who is speaking like that about rome? completely out of place, IMHO.
Juliet Halewood (X) (asker) Apr 1, 2008:
Pauley, it is Rome - it's written in the "write-in field" above.
Gad Kohenov Apr 1, 2008:
Actually there are two Eternal Cities. For Jews it's Jerusalem.
Gemma Monco Waters Apr 1, 2008:
Dear Pauley, there is only ONE Eternal City.
Paul O'Brien Apr 1, 2008:
i know that rome is known as the eternal city, but here it says "UNA città eterna", which made me think that it was one among many.
Monia Di Martino Apr 1, 2008:
It's Rome....la Città Eterna is Rome.
Paul O'Brien Apr 1, 2008:
which city is it? teh "tela" of what? my proposal would differ according to what has been torn and where.

Proposed translations

+3
28 mins
Selected

Against the shredded fabric of this Eternal City...

Against the shredded fabric of this Eternal City, torn apart by worn clichés, condemned by prejudice, every so often elegance can be discovered in the talking stones, the ones that tell us tales from the past.

Sorry it wouldn't fit above. Another idea
Peer comment(s):
agree Patricia Crotty
16 mins
Thanks
agree Valeria Faber : bella resa!|
48 mins
Grazie
agree Desiree Bonfiglio
50 mins
Grazie
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Ninat, thanks, a great help."
8 mins

the torn canvas, unravelled by worn-out clichés

oh boy, this really is "purple prose" !

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2008-04-01 10:59:29 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It's a pretentious attempt to describe Rome as a painting.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 mins (2008-04-01 11:02:45 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

maybe instead of "unravelled" "picked apart" or something might be better
Something went wrong...
16 mins

a canvas torn and ruined by tired stereotypes

An option.
Something went wrong...
34 mins

Torn canvass ripped by well-worn platitudes

Some of the words here have alternatives. For examples platitude can be a commonplace.
Something went wrong...
50 mins

the ragged fabric torn by worn out common places

One among many, all of them good, I must say
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

threadbare canvas worn and torn by hackneyed platitudes

I agree that it is referring to Rome as a painting, hence 'canvas'.
'Worn and torn' is used for 'distressed' denim and other types of cloth, paper and photographs, etc.
Reference:

//http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photoshop-text/text-effects/worn-torn-text/

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4298/is_199811/ai_n14998629

Something went wrong...
8 hrs

a canvas that is rent and laid threadbare by old worn out clichés

my proposal.
Something went wrong...
5 hrs

worn and torn as an old painting by commonplace cliches

The Eternal City, condemned by pregiudice and worn and torn as an old painting by commonplace cliches

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 hrs (2008-04-01 19:32:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------


prejudice
Something went wrong...
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