Il serait temps de trouver une solution !

Paul S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Il serait temps de trouver une solution !

How would we best translate this ?

WordReference has a fixed expression  "il serait temps" as "It's about time", so how does these sound ?

"It's about time to find a solution ! "

"It's about time a solution is found !"   (Think I like this better than the first one).

Thanks. Paul.


Asked 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

In the context of her searching for a solution herself, rather than coming after having had several service calls etc,  I think just plain old ‘it’s time to find a solution’, as the whole passage sounds to me as if she is giving herself a call to action, rather than further procrastination or exercises in futility. 

(You could go further into free translation and say ‘it’s time to get on and fix it’ - not at all direct translation, but more colloquial English, in some parts anyway).

That is the subjective aspect of translation. There is not a single right answer and even the best and most experienced translators regularly disagree ! 

PS I think either of the ones you suggested is fine - it depends on what you feel best fits what you hear and understand.

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

And if you want to sound theatrical, you'd say "It is time, a solution be found!", which would flaunt your command of the English subjunctive -- a rare and dying species.

Il serait temps de trouver une solution !

How would we best translate this ?

WordReference has a fixed expression  "il serait temps" as "It's about time", so how does these sound ?

"It's about time to find a solution ! "

"It's about time a solution is found !"   (Think I like this better than the first one).

Thanks. Paul.


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