1

Previously, I did some research about this term, included using AI, but somehow i can't get it and simplify the explanation in one sentence. I found it in a story that I read. In the story this term is written as: "You old rogue, va!"

Can you guys explain it in detail and serve the conclusion in one sentence?

Improve this question
15
  • 1
    Please clarify your specific problem or provide additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it's hard to tell exactly what you're asking.
    – Community Bot
    Commented Nov 12 at 9:43
  • 2
    A simple search in a search engine shows this sentence is from the English translation of a story by Guy de Maupassant: La ficelle (translated into English as The Piece of String). All this information should have been contained in the question, including the fact that the word vai s not translated (translator's choice). Your question just come down to what is the meaning of va in French, which question can easily be answered with the help of a dictionary.
    – None
    Commented Nov 12 at 10:25
  • Not being a telepath I cannot guess what intricacies you'd have me simplify; VTC for want of clarity. Could you please edit the result of your research into your question, in as many sentences as you like, no matter how clumsy the explanation looks to you? I'll gladly vote to reopen your question then.
    – François Jurain
    Commented Nov 12 at 14:08
  • 2
    @None To be fair it's not that easy to find a definition (in English) for this specific usage of "va". A French speaker could recognize it in a list of meanings but I wouldn't expect a non-speaker to find it easily.
    – Teleporting Goat
    Commented Nov 13 at 13:45
  • 2
    The fact it is not translated is really bad. It's actually a mistake. You need to cite the source.
    – Lambie
    Commented Nov 14 at 15:37

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

"va" after an insult or a name-calling is just a way to add emphasis. The choice of translation is a little weird, I'm not sure what the translator aimed to do by keeping va in French in the English text, but I'd just translate it as "you" before the insult:

Imbécile, va!

You idiot!

It's a way to add flavor, for "exhortation, encouragement, threat or disdain" (see here). It's a little old-fashioned and not really in use anymore.

Improve this answer
8
  • 1
    Yes, this is true but it would not be left in English.
    – Lambie
    Commented Nov 14 at 15:37
  • 2
    @Lambie Yeah I really don't understand why the translator left it in
    – Teleporting Goat
    Commented Nov 14 at 16:15
  • @TeleportingGoat: Possibly the translator thought "most English speakers can recognize that va means go," but somehow didn't notice that this usage of va doesn't really carry over to the English word go.
    – Peter Shor
    Commented Nov 15 at 0:03
  • 1
    @PeterShor I don't think a perfect understanding is a requirement. From the context, a reader will at least guess it is some kind of interjection left here to "frenchify" the dialog.
    – jlliagre
    Commented Nov 15 at 11:08
  • I see... thanks for your answer, i do understand it now. I found the story from internet archive, this story is translated by Jonathan Sturges, if I'm not mistaken. The reason why he left some French terms probably to give the story an identity (setting, social, culture, etc)? I also didn't know why, but it's interesting to learn new things
    – NUR KHAMIMAH
    Commented Nov 16 at 6:18

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.