ZANG Atsaa Lauraine (asker) Jun 15, 2020:

Thanks Daryo

Daryo Jun 11, 2020:

The client is NOT "always right" Wolf Draeger:
When subtitling

You're not translating the transcript as much as the film itself, the action, the body language, the setting, and so on. The film is not only the context but also the actual material/content, it's not optional.

And anyone helping you with your question would also still need a description of the scene and characters and the surrounding dialogue, otherwise it's just guesswork.

Couldn't agree more!

Any agency claiming to be "professionals" should know that translating subtitles without the actual movie is nonsense - nothing more than a guessing game.

ZANG Atsaa Lauraine (asker) Jun 9, 2020:

You are right Wolf! Thanks for each and everyone's help.

Wolf Draeger Jun 9, 2020:

When subtitling You're not translating the transcript as much as the film itself, the action, the body language, the setting, and so on. The film is not only the context but also the actual material/content, it's not optional.

And anyone helping you with your question would also still need a description of the scene and characters and the surrounding dialogue, otherwise it's just guesswork.

ZANG Atsaa Lauraine (asker) Jun 9, 2020:

Actually, I thought there could be a better way of putting "Zigouiller". Kill simply put is like not portraying the violence of "Zigouiller". May be I'm wrong ?

My other concern was how to put "tué" and "Zigouiller" without repeating the term Kill in the same subtitle. I quite liked Nicolas suggestion.

It is true it's a little complicated to translate subtitles without the film since images help better understand. Think I'll get back to the client and see what he can do about that.

Wolf Draeger Jun 9, 2020:

@Asker There's no way you can translate subtitles without the film. If this is for a job, you need to ask for the film and watch it before you even attempt the translation, otherwise it will be a complete shambles.

philgoddard Jun 9, 2020:

You said before that they were on the battlefield, but now you say this is after the war. Either way, we still don't have nearly enough context. How about giving us a big chunk of text to work with? I'm assuming you want the whole sentence translated, as you know what zigouiller means.

Also, do you want UK or US English? Michael's suggestions are very American.

ZANG Atsaa Lauraine (asker) Jun 9, 2020:

I just have the subtitles to translate, not the film itself so i can't say much. Nevertheless, it is all about a discussion between a lieutenant and a lawyer concerning a soldier. It all takes place after the second world war. Here, the lieutenant is talking about the best way of winning a war.

Nicolas Gambardella Jun 9, 2020:

"Good clean kill" is nice, for the "bien tué". You can add "smoked" for the "zigouillé".

"Smoked! Good clean kill. Keep up the good job"

philgoddard Jun 9, 2020:

I like that "good clean kill".

Wolf Draeger Jun 9, 2020:

Context @Asker, hello & welcome to Kudoz. We need more context to help you with your question. Please could you tell us about the film and describe the scene and the characters in question?

Margaret Morrison Jun 9, 2020:

Maybe "a good clean kill" then. Bumping off and doing in are a bit civilian I think.

polyglot45 Jun 9, 2020:

more context is necessary for the whole sentence and it is common slang for popping someone off, killing them, snuffing them out

ZANG Atsaa Lauraine (asker) Jun 9, 2020:

Hello Yes, it is a slang I am to translate in standard English. As concerns the era, it is a second world war movie.

Margaret Morrison Jun 9, 2020:

What era is the setting? Modern day? Zigouiller is more likely for an early-mid 20th century I should think, so you'd be looking for a historic slang analogue.

philgoddard Jun 9, 2020:

Hello I'm assuming you've Googled this and found out that it's a slang word for killed. The question is how do you translate the whole subtitle.