This question was closed without grading. Reason: Other
Jul 31, 2006 16:22
17 yrs ago
3 viewers *
French term
United Kingdom
avoir raison de
French to English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Ancient Egypt
In a text about Ancient Egyptian archaeological remains in the Nile delta. Context: "Gardons à l'esprit que les cités antiques ont été bâties sur des dunes sableuses, elles émergeaient au cœur des marais, sur des îles. L’humidité, l'exploitation des terres **ont eu raison** d'une grande partie des vestiges, les autres sont sous le limon. Mais s'il en reste peu de traces, le delta a abrité de nombreuses grandes villes, même des capitales!" Does it mean something like "account for" most of the finds ? Thanks in advance for any help.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +7 | NFG - eventually destroyed |
Jeffrey Lewis
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| 3 +3 | to gain the upper hand |
Tony M
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| 5 +1 | laid to waste |
Barbara Cochran, MFA
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| 5 | overcame |
emiledgar
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Change log
Feb 8, 2011 13:22: Stéphanie Soudais changed "Term asked" from "avoir raison (in this context)" to "avoir raison de" , "Field (specific)" from "History" to "General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters"
Proposed translations
+7
2 mins
Jeffrey Lewis
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
academic and scientific translations
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
24
French term (edited):
avoir raison (in this context)
NFG - eventually destroyed
Moisture and turning the soil destroyed some things and buried others.
Note from asker:
| Thanks Jeffrey. I presume NFG means not for grading? If so, why, please? |
+3
30 mins
French term (edited):
avoir raison
to gain the upper hand
Another variant, like Clair said, of 'to get the better of' — though as she also said, probbaly not directly usable in this particular context.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
writeaway
: more literary, fits the context and doesn't state more than the French
14 hrs
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Thanks, W/A! :-)
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| agree |
df49f (X)
: like this better too, in the sense of "the vestiges being overcome/overpowered by"... closer to French concept, which doesn't really say "destroyed" // yes, "overtake" also
17 hrs
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Thanks, df! I've come across it a lot in things like 'brambles and weeds overtaking ruined castles' etc.
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| agree |
Fiorsam
: I like "overtake"
2 days 5 hrs
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Thanks, Fiorsam!
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+1
2 hrs
Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
United States
Native in English
Specializes in field
United States
Laudable Lady Linguist
Native in: English 
Works in: Spanish to English, French to English, English to Spanish, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
16
French term (edited):
avoir raison (in this context)
laid to waste
A more literary way of expressing it.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 hrs (2006-08-01 12:29:35 GMT)
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gradually laid waste to
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Note added at 20 hrs (2006-08-01 12:29:35 GMT)
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gradually laid waste to
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Robin Holding
: I like this. It emphasizes the figurative use of the phrase and fits the style.
1 hr
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Thank you very much, Robin.
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| neutral |
writeaway
: sounds too much like the result of warfare
13 hrs
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This phrase is often used in other contexts than warfare, as it is here.
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| neutral |
Tony M
: You can't really 'lay to waste' the traces, the buildings etc. were already 'laid to waste', but this is talking about the last traces of them being obliterated
13 hrs
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I think this was a gradual destruction, hence I stand by " gradually laid to waste."
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7 days
French term (edited):
avoir raison (in this context)
overcame
This is the most concise and an accurate translation for "avoir raison" in this context.
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