Can "en attendant" be translated as "waiting" as well as "while waiting"?

PeterC1Kwiziq community member

Can "en attendant" be translated as "waiting" as well as "while waiting"?

The title of the Samuel Beckett play "En Attendant Godot" is usually translated as "Waiting for Godot". Would it be closer to the French original if the title were to be translated as "While Waiting for Godot", or even "Whilst Waiting for Godot"?

(I note that in the examples, you never use the word "whilst", always using "while" instead. )

Asked 6 months ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Peter, Samuel Beckett chose both titles as he translated from his original French play to the English work. 

There is more than one way in both French and English to express the ‘idea’ the title conveys. There is also more than one way to translate any idea between languages - presumably Beckett chose the titles that he felt were best suited to the work in each language ? He seems to have chosen "economical" word use in both languages.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_for_Godot

Peter asked:View original

Can "en attendant" be translated as "waiting" as well as "while waiting"?

The title of the Samuel Beckett play "En Attendant Godot" is usually translated as "Waiting for Godot". Would it be closer to the French original if the title were to be translated as "While Waiting for Godot", or even "Whilst Waiting for Godot"?

(I note that in the examples, you never use the word "whilst", always using "while" instead. )

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Getting that for you now...