keith likes a certain man

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

keith likes a certain man

These answers are bedevilled by poor English translations. Certain, in English, means either a particular one, or that one is sure of something. There is nothing vague about it, but your definition of 'certain' in the pre-noun position you say implies a vagueness, and yet the answer to the question is keith likes a certain (particular) man - unless you mean he likes all men who are sure about things? If you could avoid using the word 'certain' in your english translations that might be helpful.

Asked 3 years ago
Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Chris,

I imagine that you realise that "certain" in French has a different meaning depending on whether it is before or after the noun? Before  -- abstract.  After  --  concrete.

Jim

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Jim, yes I get that. The problem is not with the French, it is with the English meaning of the word certain, which is not remotely vague. You need to offer more accurate English phrases to translate, these are bedevilled by pooor translations, albeit that they're nuanced. 

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Jim, yes I get that. The problem is not with the French, it is with the English meaning of the word certain, which is not remotely vague. You need to offer more accurate English phrases to translate, these are bedevilled by pooor translations, albeit that they're nuanced. 

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Jim, yes I get that. The problem is not with the French, it is with the English meaning of the word certain, which is not remotely vague. You need to offer more accurate English phrases to translate, these are bedevilled by pooor translations, albeit that they're nuanced. 

chris w.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Hi Jim, yes I get that. The problem is not with the French, it is with the English meaning of the word certain, which is not remotely vague. You need to offer more accurate English phrases to translate, these are bedevilled by pooor translations, albeit that they're nuanced. 

keith likes a certain man

These answers are bedevilled by poor English translations. Certain, in English, means either a particular one, or that one is sure of something. There is nothing vague about it, but your definition of 'certain' in the pre-noun position you say implies a vagueness, and yet the answer to the question is keith likes a certain (particular) man - unless you mean he likes all men who are sure about things? If you could avoid using the word 'certain' in your english translations that might be helpful.

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