Shmevus
3/20/2014 17:34 EST
I would like to honor my grandfather with a tattoo in Lithuanian but do not trust google translate. Would anyone be willing to translate a single sentence for me?
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Shmevus
3/20/2014 18:51 EST
I would like it to read "the bridges I burn will light the way" I know it sounds brash but my grandfather was a no nonsense type if guy. Thank you so much for your help and time!
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dnyhan
3/21/2014 06:40 EST
I'm assuming you're not a native English speaker so I will try to explain why this doesn't make sense in the Anglosphere.
When one uses the phrase "to burn one's bridge", it's 'ex post', not 'ante'.
So if a person is burning one's bridge, it means "to cutoff the way back to where you came from"
Now the phrase "light the way" is not 'ex post' but 'ante'.
So if a person is 'lighting the way', it means they are 'forging a path' (going forward)
So you see combining these idioms wouldn't make any sense to an English speaker, even if one were capable of time travel.
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rikmo
3/21/2014 07:33 EST
Well explained dnyhan - The efforts of Lithuanians who have "mastered" English up to the Intermediate or Upper-Int level to use English creatively or try to sound erudite by using a few idioms or terms that they really don't understand at all is often sad and hilarious. I do understand the pathetic Lithuanian need to try to impress foreigners with how cosmopolitan or Western they have become in their world view or attitudes, but this really easy to see through most of the time - especially when their body language also communicates the same message. Like my sister said when she spent a few weeks here and had some dealings with local business people - "Chimps in nice suits". - I hope you don't think I've been too brash or cheeky in my estimation.
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nerka
3/21/2014 09:56 EST
dnyhan's mere assumption immediately became rikmo's science-based fact.
And the story went the usual way: no matter what the topic is about, just like all roads lead to Roma, all rikmo's posts soon turn and lead to how bad Lithuania and Lithuanians are.
Luckily for us, this time rikmo did admit that he might have been too brash and cheeky in his "estimations". Although small, that's still a progress. Good for you, rikmo.
One question remains though: who's the chimp in this story ?
When it comes to bridges lighting one's way - this expression, although not being that common, does exist in the anglosphere.
Interpretation of it's meaning can vary and still make sense even without a time machine. Although I haven't heard this particular phrase before, and despite the fact that it doesn't exist in Lithuania, it still immediately made sense to me - one's experiences from the cut-off world/past strengthens/helps him in his path forward.
And, lastly, I don't see how Shmevus earned the assumtion of not being a native English speaker.
I would assume the opposite: his English seems flawless, he mentioned his Lithuanian grandfather (ergo Shmevus is most likely 2nd generation expat), and two generation back in time Lithuanians mainly emigrated to US and Canada which belong to anglosphere.
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Shmevus
3/21/2014 15:03 EST
I'm an American. I just wanted some help and I believe I've got it. Didn't mean to cause controversy. Thanks to all
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