Are these sentences negative?
I came across these two sentences whose translation confused me a lot. These sentences are written by Faulkner.
1. I be dog if for a minute he didn't even hiccup.
(I don't understand why this sentence is translated as "He didn't even hiccup for a minute, if this is not the case, I am a dog"?)

2. I panted, standing there, and this was it -- the regret and grief, the despair out of which the tragic mute insensitive bones stand up that can bear anything, anything.
(Likewise, I don't understand why this sentence is translated as "my tragic mute insensitive bones that CAN'T bear anything, stand out of regret, grief and despair "?)

Thank you very much.

Question

Are these sentences negative?
I came across these two sentences whose translation confused me a lot. These sentences are written by Faulkner.
1. I be dog if for a minute he didn't even hiccup.
(I don't understand why this sentence is translated as "He didn't even hiccup for a minute, if this is not the case, I am a dog"?)

2. I panted, standing there, and this was it -- the regret and grief, the despair out of which the tragic mute insensitive bones stand up that can bear anything, anything.
(Likewise, I don't understand why this sentence is translated as "my tragic mute insensitive bones that CAN'T bear anything, stand out of regret, grief and despair "?)

Thank you very much.

Answer

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like the first sentence indicates the speaker's irritation with the other person, who, presumably, is noisy? 
The second one, I believe, implies that the awe from the news shook him, and forced him to stand up on frail feet that have been eroded by old age.

In either cases, I'm inclined to say that the translation wasn't on point.

Answers · 1

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