Dva otazky

Discussion in 'Vocabulary & Translation Help' started by MichaelM, Sep 17, 2008.

  1. MichaelM

    MichaelM Well-Known Member

    Mam dva otazky prosim. Jak se rekne cesky:

    1. I lift a glass on each occasion in honor of ... (context - birthday and nameday toasting).

    2. 'burnt bridge' (context - as a salutation before one's name/signature in a letter).

    Dekuji
     
  2. Polednikova

    Polednikova Well-Known Member

    Can't do the Czech, Michael. And I don't even understand the second one in English - is it an American thing?
     
  3. MichaelM

    MichaelM Well-Known Member

    pani P. hello. Long stories all but the burnt bridge comes from someone who professed to never wanting to burn those damn bridges but went right ahead and burned them anyway. Bridges equalling connections or relationships. Does that brief explanation help at all? Having been burnt, I am alluding to the one who previously would not burn them. Whew. Hard to explain. I am writing this person a letter entirely in czech (her language); perhaps I can build the first timber back. Anyway, the burner will understand the allusion.
     
  4. eso

    eso Well-Known Member

    In Czech we use "Připíjím na zdraví někoho" (I drink to health of somebody) in this occasion.


    In Czech there is phrase - spálil za sebou mosty - (he burned bridges behind him), which means he took actions after which he cannot return back (in all possible ways)

    like

    Opustil rodinu, prodal auto, dal v práci výpověď a odjel ze země - spálil tak za sebou všechny mosty.
     
  5. MichaelM

    MichaelM Well-Known Member

    Dekuji eso. Muzu prvni odpoved' pouzivat ale nemuzu druhy.

    a ted' anglicky. Prominte. I wish to allude to a time when English was spoken ("burnt or burning bridges") and, at the time, I did not burn them. Perhaps there is a literal Czech phrase 'with burnt bridges' ~ signature. Thanks again.
     
  6. eso

    eso Well-Known Member

    I'm not sure I understand, maybe someone with better knowledge can help you.

    It would seem to me, that common meaning of "burnt bridges" in English is same as in Czech:

    burn your bridges

    to permanently and unpleasantly end your relationship with a person or organization. Welles had burned his bridges so badly with the movie studios that they laughed when you mentioned his name.

    Etymology: based on the military action of burning a bridge you have just crossed to prevent the enemy from crossing it after you

    http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/burnt+bridges
     
  7. Polednikova

    Polednikova Well-Known Member

    Clear as mud, as my Grandmother used to say! That's the trouble with you vets, too erudite!
     
  8. dzurisova

    dzurisova Well-Known Member

    Perhaps I'm wrong but I think he's trying to say that he is the bridge she burned - she broke the ties between them. The way eso translated it appeared that she was the bridge that he burned - meaning he broke the ties between them.
     
  9. Sova

    Sova Well-Known Member

    You might sign it "za spalením mostem," indicating the letter is sent by one who is on the opposite side of the burnt bridge with respect to the addressee.

    I don't think that typically the bridge refers to the person with whom contact has been cut off, but rather refers to the interpersonal relationship between the two people. After all, bridges are not typically significant entities in and of themselves, but rather only in the context of connecting places/people across otherwise impassable (or difficult) terrain.
     
  10. dzurisova

    dzurisova Well-Known Member

    yeah, you're right.
     
  11. scrimshaw

    scrimshaw Well-Known Member

    Here's how I see his intent...

    Dobrý den Paní ˇNepadámmostyˇ (heavy with sarcasm).....
     
  12. scrimshaw

    scrimshaw Well-Known Member

    or better yet....Slečno 'Nepadámmosty'
     
  13. scrimshaw

    scrimshaw Well-Known Member

    Ok, 3rd attempt at getting this right.
    I'm thinking he meant...something like

    ''Nespalímmosty'' as a name

    napřiklad
    Dobrý den paní Nespalímzaseboumosty, spalila jsi dnes nějaké mosty?
     
  14. MichaelM

    MichaelM Well-Known Member

    Dekuji vsichni. Sova, I think you hit it correctly and I will use that phrase. Pani P, you, of course, are right as always. Remember though, a medical doctor is just a specialized vet! I appreciate everyone's input. Sorry to come up with such a tough one and that I could not place it in the most correct context (not so erudite as you thought).

    Must say that this is the most incredible group of people in this forum. You amaze me constantly.
     

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