Quero dormir na distância de um ser que nunca foi seu,

18:16 Jan 24, 2019

This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere

Portuguese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / Fernando Pessoa

Portuguese term or phrase: Quero dormir na distância de um ser que nunca foi seu,

I understand "seu" to be a pronominal reference to "um ser" ( a being; someone). My difficulty resides in how to translate "seu" in a gender-neutral way, since it's not clear whether he's referring to a man or a woman. There is evidence of homoeroticism in Pessoa's poetry (especially in Álvaros de Campos), hence my confusion. In this case, it's probably better to stay gender-neutral. On second thought, "seu" could also be a disguised reference to the poet himself. I'm not sure I understood what he means by "nunca foi seu". Was never his? Was never his/her own self? Or maybe something else? Thank you in advance.

"Dêem-me, onde aqui jazo, só uma brisa que passe,
Não quero nada do acaso, senão a brisa na face;
Dêem-me um vago amor de quanto nunca terei,
Não quero gozo nem dor, não quero vida nem lei.
Só, no silêncio cercado pelo som brusco do mar,
Quero dormir sossegado, sem nada que desejar,
Quero dormir na distância de um ser que nunca foi seu,
Tocado do ar sem fragrância da brisa de qualquer céu."
-- Fernando Pessoa

Oliver Simões KudoZ activity Questions: 1104 (2 open) (3 without valid answers) (227 closed without grading) Answers: 3434 United States
Local time: 17:33

Summary of answers provided

I want to sleep on the distance of a being that was never yours

Vinícius da Silva

I want to sleep, distanced, as if it were not me

David Hollywood

I want to sleep in the distance of someone who never was [his own self]

Alcinda Marinho

Answers

6 mins confidence:

I want to sleep on the distance of a being that was never yours

Explanation:
sugestion

Vinícius da Silva
Brazil
Local time: 21:33
Does not meet criteria
Native speaker of: Portuguese
PRO pts in category: 2

8 mins confidence:

I want to sleep, distanced, as if it were not me

Explanation:
might work

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Note added at 18 mins (2019-01-24 18:34:29 GMT)
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in my control

David Hollywood
Local time: 21:33
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 6

1 hr confidence:

I want to sleep in the distance of someone who never was [his own self]

Explanation:
Sug.
I saw your comments about the gender-neutral issue, but it is my understanding the poet is referring to himself (i.e., the "I" he never managed to be, hence the reference to "distance" - he never achieved his ideal self).
The literal meaning of this, and a more literal translation would be "(...) of someone/a being that never belonged to me".

Alcinda Marinho
Portugal
Local time: 01:33
Does not meet criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Portuguese
PRO pts in category: 4

Notes to answerer

Asker: Thank you, Alcinda. It makes sense. I'm inclined to use a shorter version of your answer, something like: "I want to sleep faraway/removed/isolated from someone who was never himself." For some reason, a shorter line sounds better. Between the slashed words, which one would you recommend?

Asker: On second thought, I came up with an alternate translation that seems to fit even better. Please check the Discussion Board.

Asker: Never mind. I'll go ahead with my alternate translation. Thank you, anyway.

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