The Paris Savannah Connection

In The Wizard of Oz … Dorothy dreams … and sings … Somewhere Over The Rainbow. All-Time Masterpiece. performed by Judy Garland.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?

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When you’re not involved in these worlds of multilingual communication, these words seem to be synonomous because they have something important in common: rendering meanings from one language to another.

What’s the difference then?

Interpreters speak. Translators write.

And that’s where it begins!

Choosing a translator or an interpreter is not as simple as opening up your ibrowser. Here are just a few of the vital basics:

The original: Provide a quality original. Many translations appear to be poor translations … only because the original is not up to standard.

Language pairs: The translator or interpreter goes from a foreign language to his/her native language. He is writing or speaking to others who understand his native language.

Competence: He/She must know the subject matter in depth. Don’t expect a generalist to translate or interpret a legal contract or a manual on using agricultural machinery.

Experience: It takes many years to provide quality at an acceptable speed. A professional translator translates about 10 full pages/day in his speciality.

Think ahead: Most reputable professionals are in high demand…and are under high pressure. Don’t expect them to be available at the last minute. Reserve their time in advance.

Proofreading: Nobody’s perfect. It’s best to plan on your own proofreader who can work with the translator.

Proofreading 2: How many people will read what’s printed? That should be a determining factor in how many proofreads are necessary. Your audience will spot ANY errors. If your document is important enough to be shared, try to get it … right! If it’s going to be distributed to 50 people, you have 50 potential error-spotting critics … How much more if you have 500, 5 000 or 50 000 potential readers??

Costs: You get what you pay for!

In this field, remember the golden rule: No guessing.

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Summer came. Summer came to Paris these past couple of days where temperatures must have reached 30° (C) which translates as 86° (F). In the city if feels hotter. It felt like Savannah heat! Though the sultry humidity wasn’t there.

News from Savannah is that the temperature of the water at the beach is about 27°C and that outdoors it could hit 32°. How much is that in Fahrenheit? I wonder what the weather’s like in Toulouse today. And what’s it like on the sandy French Atlantic coast … The Ile de Ré, for instance? Or in Brittany?

There are those of us who love warm weather … and those who appreciate the cool.

Are you like lizards that enjoy basking, baking in the sun?

Or are you among those who prefer the shade, the gardens. Sitting under a leafy tree?

Well, either way, enjoy it! But use your sunscreen and hats when you’re out.

On today’s Paris Savannah Connection, learn how to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit … and Fahrenheit to Celsius.

There’s an old mental trick to “warm up” or “cool down.” Sitting down, close your eyes and meditate on YOUR ideal temperature.  Put yourself in YOUR ideal environment. Then come back to reality and enjoy it!

Have a wonderful Tuesday, May 25th!

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One afternoon last summer this fiddler was playing on the sidewalks of Edinburgh. I asked him if I could record him. He agreed. Here’s one minute 11 seconds of some fine fiddlin’. OK … I admit it … I need some practice filming with my iphone … and a better camera wouldn’t hurt! But the sound is there! Enjoy.

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It’s easy to translate temperatures between Celsius and Fahrenheit. You just need to know the formula.

Remember these key figures: 0° C = 32°F and 100°C=212°F

Here it is!

Remember these figures: 0° C = 32°F and 100°C=212°F

Remember these: 0° C = 32°F and 100°C=212°F

Remember: 0° C = 32°F and 100°C=212°F

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A brilliant movie … even if the simple is complex here … or vice versa. Or the original is a copy of an original.

If you don’t like mental gymnastics, this is definitely NOT for you. BUT if you enjoy incredibly good acting as well as the charm, wit and emotional soul of Juliette Binoche speaking English, French and Italian fluently … you can’t possibly be disappointed.

((**** Congratulations, Ms. Binoche! Just heard the news! Palme d’Or for Best Actress in Copie Conforme. You deserve it!! ***** Brava!!))

Set in an authentic Tuscan setting, you feel there. It makes you want to be there. Beautifully filmed.

This may appear to be on the fringe of our reality. But it is someone’s reality. And movingly so. Even if … it is a fictional reality. Get it? You don’t? Don’t worry. Art can take time to get to you. The difference between “The” and “A” …

Here’s a posting in English from THE NYT . If you look at the right side of the screen, there is an audio of Juliette Binoche talking about this incredible film experience. She lets you in on the secrets of this masterpiece.

a double bill with kiarostami.

At the Balzac.

on rue Balzac (as in Honoré de ) just off the …

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For three days, the Champs Elysées has become an outdoor ‘nature’ gallery. How strange to see all these visitors – trees, wheat, tomato vines – even sheep and 4 cows – set up as exhibits.

The weather was perfect. Here are a few snapshots.

This is what I could see ahead. Green.

(Savannah goes Green on St. Patrick’s Day.)

There were all sorts of people: young, very young, and even younger.

And speaking of cross-cultural … I mean, cosmopolitan!

Speaking of age, I believe that’s young lavender. From what I read, all the plants and trees were for sale and if bought for a charity, were tax deductible.

I good way to clean up!

just 1/400 th of a second !

Lots of people so if you go … you’d better follow this proverb:

“The early bird gets the worm.”

PS: The sheep were protected from the crowds.But I’m not so sure they felt so safe …

Here they are:

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Last night, hundreds of workers were transforming the Champs Elysées into a “green place”

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Now here’s one rare place for Japanese tea in Paris.

You might need to reserve. And for the site,  you might need to read French, or failing that, Japanese. Though there are some nice pictures and the prices are in euros.

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