La traduzione, come metodo di esercizio nell’apprendimento di una lingua, farà sicuramente parte della vecchia scuola, però, inserita in un contesto più vario di apprendimento, soprattutto con feedback in tempo reale, può sempre essere un utile esercizio di allenamento.
Consiglio una partecipazione attiva e visibile postando la tua versione tra i commenti in fondo a questa pagina. In questo modo riceverai un mio commento o suggerimento in tempo più o meno reale. Ma per chi non se la sente, si può semplicemente annotare la propria versione e controllarla attraverso i miei commenti lasciati per gli altri.
Ricorda l’importanza di immaginare un contesto reale nel quale la frase in questione avrebbe senso, prima di procedere con la traduzione.
Ecco la nuova frase:
Cerca di non perdere questo film se mai dovesse arrivare dalle tue parti.
Buon divertimento!
good morning Tony
in italian “dovesse” is always a subjunctive of “dovere”
I have always translated ” should “as “dovrei “nel senso di sarebbe meglio”and the subjunctive always with the present. Thanks your explanations are always simple and clear .
have a great sunday
Well, Giovanna, I think you’ll find that this is quite a particular use of “should” in English and that normally it is, in effect, the equivalent of the conditional of “dovere” as you say.
So often these “modal verbs” have more than one possible use, unfortunately!
Regarding the “subjunctive”, though, what about the subjunctive in the second conditional? That is always a “past simple” in English and not a “present simple”.
Interestingly enough, you could also use the “past simple” in this version:
“Try not to miss this film, if it were ever to come your way.”
you’re right….. I immediately thought about second conditional because it uses the past simple for translate the subjunctive.
So now I know that for translate asomething that could conceivably happen in the future = subjunctive
I can translate:
1. with should + infinito
2. with the present simple
3. with the past simple
“Cerca di non perderti questo film, se mai dovesse capitarti.”
Try not to miss this movie if it should ever come your way.
Try not to miss this film, if it is ever to come your way
Try not to miss this film, if it were ever to come your way.
Yes and no, Giovanna. Although the three versions that you have written are all possible, I think the two most usable versions here would be:
“Try not to miss this movie if it should ever come your way.” (should)
“Try not to miss this movie if it ever comes your way.” (present simple of ‘come’)
However, in the second version there is no sign of “dovere”.
Ok Tony and what about the third? if I translate it there is sign of “dovere”, why is it not usable here?
i’m sorry I know today is sunday and you need relax but I’m a curious girl …..
Because, on looking at it again, I think that was a mistake on my part!
The ‘were’ version turns it into a second conditional (improbable) but the imperative in the main clause indicates possibility. I didn’t think that one through fully! 🙄
The “were” version would work in this case:
“I would try not to miss this film if it were ever to come my way.”
But that’s a different expression altogether! 🙂
good morning Tony. It’s always interesting to ask questions. Thanks
And a good policy if you want to learn! 🙂
good afternoon Tony……..
i had no problems to translate in this way:
– Cerca di non perdere questo film se mai dovesse arrivare dalle tue parti.
– Try to not to miss this mouvie if it ever comes in your way.
but please help me to understand the other construction with should.
Try not to miss this movie if it should ever come to your way.
I can’t understand , i’m confusing my self ( wrapping up = incartando)
Hi Giovanna.
First of all, the expression at the end is “comes your way” with no preposition.
One of the many uses of “should” is to talk about something that could conceivably happen in the future:
“If Bob should phone, please thank him for me.”
“If anyone should ask, I’ll be in the office all day today.”
“If the lights should go out, the emergency switch is behind the front door.”
It can, of course, be replaced by a present simple in all these examples, but the “should” version sounds slightly less possible.
I think you’ll find that it’s always a subjuntive of “dovere” in Italian.
Cerca di non perdere questo film se mai dovesse arrivare dalle tue parti.
Try not to miss this film if it had ever to come your way.
“should ever come” 🙂
Good morning prof
– Try not to miss that movie if it should never come out on your end.
Thank you
Nice try, Nadia, and the first part is fine (except it should be “this” and not “that, but that’s a pretty small point).
In the second part, “never” should be “ever” because it is not “non mai” but just “mai” and there is no “negative” idea in the sentence.
“On your end” doesn’t work in English. You need to say something like, “if it should ever come your way.”
Cerca di non perdere questo film se mai dovesse arrivare dalle tue parti.
Good evening prof 😁
Try not to miss this film if it should ever arrive at your town.
Very good, Roby.
A useful alternative at the end would be, “if it should ever come your way.”
Thanks prof.
I will remember this expression… Actually I didn’t know how to translate “dalle tue parti”
Goodnight prof😴
Sweet dreams, Roby. 😘
Try to not miss this movie if it ever would arrive in your neighborhood
*Not to
“Not to” is a good improvement, Manu.
Just one more small alteration: “if it should ever arrive”.
Thanks Tony
🙂
Cerca di non perdere questo film se mai dovesse arrivare dalle tue parti.
Try not to miss this film if it ever comes to you/your way.
I would go for the “your way” solution, Paolo. Nice one. 🙂
Got it, Tony.
Try not to miss this film if it ever comes your way.
😀👍
Cerca di non perdere questo film se mai dovesse arrivare dalle tue parti.
Try not to miss this movie if only it should come to your way / neighborhood.
Why “only” and not “ever”, Dani?
After “come”:
1) to your neighbourhood
2) your way
🙂
Could “get” also work here?
Try not to miss this movie if ever it should get to neighborhood.
“Get” is possible, yes, but I prefer “come”. 🙂
Thank you very much
🙂
Try not to miss this movie if it ever comes your way.
Spot on, Dino. 🙂