This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
escritura de partilha
stop price/floor price
Sep 29, 2012 11:14
11 yrs ago
Portuguese term

o palhaço rico e o palhaço pobre

Portuguese to English Art/Literary Cinema, Film, TV, Drama Circus
Hi, I'm wondering how best to translate the concept of the 'palhaço rico e o palhaço pobre' to English. I could just be literal, but it doesn't sound very evocative to me in English. I'm wondering whether 'happy' and 'sad' would be fair equivalents, or whether there's a better solution.

Many thanks.

"A equilibrista e o domador de feras, o malabarista e o mágico, o palhaço rico e o palhaço pobre, são símbolos divergentes de sensualidade, agilidade, inteligência, força física e fragilidade, inteligência e confronto social"
Proposed translations (English)
4 +3 Rich clown, poor clown
4 Happy Clown, Sad Clown
References
Ref.
I could just be literal, but it doesn't...

Proposed translations

+3
2 hrs
Selected

Rich clown, poor clown

Note that the text mentions how it deals with social inequality ("confronto social"). Palhaço rico e palhaço pobre seems to be a traditional circus act/fable intended to make fun of social inequality, greed etc. It seems to be common in Portugal. See references.
Example sentence:

"À medida que crescia e que frequentava outros “circos” (entre aspas, claro), ia gostando um bocadinho mais dos palhaços. Isto porque também ia conhecendo outros palhaços, entre os quais a famosa dupla palhaço rico -- palhaço pobre."

O rico tem sempre a cara completamente pintada de branco, usa um chapéu em bico e uma roupa tufada, muito bonita e colorida. Já o palhaço pobre, tem

Reference:

http://papoilas-saltitantes-pinga.blogspot.com.br/2011/08/palhaco-rico-ou-palhaco-pobre.html

http://www.eraoquefaltava.com/2010/10/palhaco-rico-palhaco-esfomeado/

Peer comment(s):
agree Lumen (X)
6 hrs
obrigada!
agree Dr Lofthouse
8 hrs
obrigada!
agree airmailrpl : -
8 hrs
obrigada!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "thanks Paula, I stuck to the original in the end - there was also a mention of shabby costumes, so it seemed important to keep the original concept"
14 mins

Happy Clown, Sad Clown

There has always been something pathetic about the clown character, depicted in various movies and stories. I woud go for Happy clown, Sad Clown since a clown is never really materially rich.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/13914639/happy-clown-and-sad-clo...
Something went wrong...

Reference comments

4 mins
Reference:

Ref.

Rich Clown, Poor Clown, Beggar Clown, Thief | HartBeat Ensemble
hartbeatensemble.org/rich-clown-poor-clown-be... - Traduzir esta página
Rich Clown, Poor Clown, Beggar Clown, Thief premiered at City Arts on Pearl at 233 Pearl Street in Hartford in October 2008. Rich Clown is an intimate cabaret ...
Note from asker:
Hi, yes, I did see that - but it's the only reference using that terminology. In English, that comes across as a play on Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, from the childhood counting game. There may well be a connection but I don't know if it works with clowns! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinker,_Tailor
Something went wrong...
25 mins
Reference:

I could just be literal, but it doesn't sound very evocative to me in English. - Não sei se é ignorância da minha parte, mas o palhaço rico e o palho pobre não são nada "evocative" para mim em português.
Something went wrong...
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search