Pride and Prejudice — Page 5

English → Fr Preface Level 7/10

But if the attempt were made, it would certainly not be hampered by any of those loosenesses of construction, which, sometimes disguised by the conveniences of which the novelist can avail himself, appear at once on the stage._

Mais si la tentative était faite, elle ne serait certainement pas entravée par aucun de ces relâchements de construction, qui, parfois dissimulés par les commodités dont le romancier peut se prévaloir, apparaissent immédiatement sur la scène._

_I think, however, though the thought will doubtless seem heretical to more than one school of critics, that construction is not the highest merit, the choicest gift, of the novelist.

_Je pense, cependant, bien que la pensée semblera sans doute hérétique à plus d'une école de critiques, que la construction n'est pas le mérite le plus élevé, le don le plus précieux, du romancier.

It sets off his other gifts and graces most advantageously to the critical eye; and the want of it will sometimes mar those graces--appreciably, though not quite consciously--to eyes by no means ultra-critical.

Elle met en valeur ses autres dons et grâces de la manière la plus avantageuse pour l'œil critique ; et le manque de celle-ci gâtera parfois ces grâces--sensiblement, bien que pas tout à fait consciemment--aux yeux qui ne sont nullement ultra-critiques.

But a very badly-built novel which excelled in pathetic or humorous character, or which displayed consummate command of dialogue--perhaps the rarest of all faculties--would be an infinitely better thing than a faultless plot acted and told by puppets with pebbles in their mouths.

Mais un roman très mal construit qui excellait dans le personnage pathétique ou humoristique, ou qui affichait une maîtrise consommée du dialogue--peut-être la plus rare de toutes les facultés--serait une chose infiniment meilleure qu'une intrigue sans défaut jouée et racontée par des marionnettes avec des cailloux dans la bouche.

And despite the ability which Miss Austen has shown in working out the story, I for one should put_ Pride and Prejudice _far lower if it did not contain what seem to me the very masterpieces of Miss Austen's humour and of her faculty of character-creation--masterpieces who may indeed admit John Thorpe, the Eltons, Mrs. Norris, and one or two others to their company, but who, in one instance certainly, and perhaps in others, are still superior to them.

Et malgré l'habileté que Miss Austen a montrée en développant l'histoire, je serais pour ma part enclin à placer_ Pride and Prejudice _bien plus bas s'il ne contenait pas ce qui me semble être les véritables chefs-d'œuvre de l'humour de Miss Austen et de sa faculté de création de personnages--des chefs-d'œuvre qui peuvent en effet admettre John Thorpe, les Elton, Mme Norris, et un ou deux autres dans leur compagnie, mais qui, dans un cas certainement, et peut-être dans d'autres, leur sont encore supérieurs.

Vocabulary

Mais: mɛ — Conjunction meaning 'but', used to contrast ideas.
si: si — Conjunction meaning 'if' or 'so/yes' in response.
la: la — Feminine definite article meaning 'the'.
tentative: tɑ̃.ta.tiv — An attempt or effort to do something.
était: e.tɛ — Past tense of 'être', meaning 'was'.
faite: fɛt — Feminine past participle of 'faire', meaning 'made/done'.
elle: ɛl — Third-person feminine pronoun meaning 'she' or 'it'.
ne: nə — Negative particle used with 'pas' to negate verbs.
serait: sə.ʁɛ — Conditional form of 'être', meaning 'would be'.
certainement: sɛʁ.tɛn.mɑ̃ — Adverb meaning 'certainly' or 'definitely'.
pas: pɑ — Negative adverb meaning 'not', used with 'ne'.
entravée: ɑ̃.tʁa.ve — Hindered, obstructed, or held back from progress.
par: paʁ — Preposition meaning 'by' or 'through'.
aucun: o.kœ̃ — Negative pronoun/adjective meaning 'none' or 'no'.
de: də — Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'some'.
ces: se — Demonstrative adjective meaning 'these' or 'those'.
relâchements: ʁə.lɑʃ.mɑ̃ — Instances of looseness, slackening, or lax construction.
construction: kɔ̃s.tʁyk.sjɔ̃ — The way something is built, structured, or composed.
qui: ki — Relative pronoun meaning 'who', 'which', or 'that'.
parfois: paʁ.fwa — Adverb meaning 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
dissimulés: di.si.my.le — Hidden or concealed from view or perception.
les: le — Plural definite article meaning 'the'.
commodités: kɔ.mɔ.di.te — Conveniences or comforts that make life easier.
dont: dɔ̃ — Relative pronoun meaning 'of which', 'whose', or 'from which'.
le: lə — Masculine definite article meaning 'the'.
romancier: ʁɔ.mɑ̃.sje — A novelist; a writer of fictional prose narratives.
peut: pø — Third-person singular of 'pouvoir', meaning 'can/may'.
se: sə — Reflexive pronoun meaning 'oneself', 'himself', or 'herself'.
prévaloir: pʁe.va.lwaʁ — To avail oneself of something; to take advantage of.
apparaissent: a.pa.ʁɛs — Third-person plural of 'apparaître', meaning 'appear'.
immédiatement: i.me.djat.mɑ̃ — Immediately; at once, without delay.
sur: syʁ — Preposition meaning 'on', 'upon', or 'over'.
scène: sɛn — A scene; stage or setting of an action or event.
Je: ʒə — First-person singular pronoun meaning 'I'.
pense: pɑ̃s — First-person singular of 'penser', meaning 'I think'.
cependant: sə.pɑ̃.dɑ̃ — Adverb/conjunction meaning 'however' or 'nevertheless'.
bien: bjɛ̃ — Adverb meaning 'well', 'very', or 'indeed'.
que: kə — Conjunction meaning 'that', 'than', or 'which'.
pensée: pɑ̃.se — A thought or idea considered mentally.
semblera: sɑ̃.blə.ʁa — Future tense of 'sembler', meaning 'will seem'.
sans: sɑ̃ — Preposition meaning 'without'.
doute: dut — Doubt; uncertainty about something; used in 'sans doute'.
hérétique: e.ʁe.tik — Heretical; contrary to accepted orthodox beliefs or views.
à: a — Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in'.
plus: ply — Adverb meaning 'more' or 'most'; also used in negation.
d': d — Contracted form of 'de' before a vowel, meaning 'of/from'.
une: yn — Feminine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
école: e.kɔl — School; also a school of thought or movement.
critiques: kʁi.tik — Critics; those who analyze and judge artistic works.
n': n — Contracted negative particle used before vowels with 'pas'.
est: ɛ — Third-person singular of 'être', meaning 'is'.
mérite: me.ʁit — Merit; worth or quality deserving recognition or praise.
élevé: el.ve — High, elevated; of high level or great degree.
don: dɔ̃ — A gift or natural talent someone possesses.
précieux: pʁe.sjø — Precious; highly valuable or greatly prized.
du: dy — Contracted article 'de + le', meaning 'of the' or 'some'.
Elle: ɛl — Third-person feminine pronoun meaning 'she'.
met: mɛ — Third-person singular of 'mettre', meaning 'puts/places'.
en: ɑ̃ — Preposition meaning 'in', 'on', or 'as'; also a pronoun.
valeur: va.lœʁ — Value; worth or importance of something.
ses: se — Possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its' (plural).
autres: otʁ — Others; the remaining or additional ones.
dons: dɔ̃ — Gifts or talents; natural abilities someone is born with.
et: e — Conjunction meaning 'and'.
grâces: ɡʁɑs — Graces; elegance, charm, or pleasing qualities.
manière: ma.njɛʁ — Manner or way in which something is done.
avantageuse: a.vɑ̃.ta.ʒøz — Advantageous; favorable or beneficial to presentation.
pour: puʁ — Preposition meaning 'for', 'in order to'.
l': l — Contracted definite article before a vowel meaning 'the'.
œil: œj — Eye; also used figuratively as a critical gaze.
critique: kʁi.tik — Critical; relating to criticism or evaluation of works.
manque: mɑ̃k — Lack or absence of something needed or desired.
celle-ci: sɛl.si — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this one' (feminine).
gâtera: ɡɑ.tə.ʁa — Future tense of 'gâter', meaning 'will spoil/ruin'.
sensiblement: sɑ̃.si.blə.mɑ̃ — Noticeably; appreciably or to a significant degree.
tout: tu — Adjective/pronoun meaning 'all', 'every', or 'everything'.
fait: fɛ — Fact; also past participle of 'faire' meaning 'done'.
consciemment: kɔ̃.sjam.mɑ̃ — Consciously; with awareness and deliberate intention.
aux: o — Contracted article 'à + les', meaning 'to the' or 'at the'.
yeux: jø — Eyes; plural of 'œil', also used figuratively.
sont: sɔ̃ — Third-person plural of 'être', meaning 'are'.
nullement: nyl.mɑ̃ — Not at all; in no way whatsoever.
un: œ̃ — Masculine indefinite article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
roman: ʁɔ.mɑ̃ — A novel; a long fictional prose narrative.
très: tʁɛ — Adverb meaning 'very', intensifying adjectives or adverbs.
mal: mal — Badly; poorly; in an unsatisfactory manner.
construit: kɔ̃s.tʁɥi — Constructed or structured; the way something is built.
excellait: ɛk.sɛ.lɛ — Imperfect tense of 'exceller', meaning 'excelled/was excelling'.
dans: dɑ̃ — Preposition meaning 'in', 'inside', or 'within'.
personnage: pɛʁ.sɔ.naʒ — A character in a literary or dramatic work.
pathétique: pa.te.tik — Pathetic or moving; evoking strong emotion or sympathy.
ou: u — Conjunction meaning 'or', presenting an alternative.
humoristique: y.mɔ.ʁis.tik — Humorous; characterized by wit, comedy, or amusement.
affichait: a.fi.ʃɛ — Imperfect of 'afficher', meaning 'displayed' or 'showed'.
maîtrise: mɛ.tʁiz — Mastery; complete skill and command over something.
consommée: kɔ̃.sɔ.me — Consummate; perfect, complete, or highly accomplished.
dialogue: dja.lɔɡ — Dialogue; conversation between characters in writing.
peut-être: pø.tɛtʁ — Perhaps; possibly or maybe something is the case.
rare: ʁaʁ — Rare; uncommon or exceptionally infrequent in occurrence.
toutes: tut — Feminine plural of 'tout', meaning 'all' or 'every'.
facultés: fa.kyl.te — Faculties; mental or creative abilities and powers.
chose: ʃoz — Thing; an object, matter, or subject being discussed.
infiniment: ɛ̃.fi.ni.mɑ̃ — Infinitely; immeasurably or to an endless degree.
meilleure: mɛ.jœʁ — Better or best; feminine form of 'meilleur'.
qu': k — Contracted form of 'que' before a vowel, meaning 'than/that'.
intrigue: ɛ̃.tʁiɡ — Plot; the main storyline or scheme of a narrative.
défaut: de.fo — A fault, defect, or shortcoming in something.
jouée: ʒwe — Feminine past participle of 'jouer', meaning 'played/acted'.
racontée: ʁa.kɔ̃.te — Feminine past participle of 'raconter', meaning 'told/narrated'.
des: de — Plural indefinite article meaning 'some' or 'of the'.
marionnettes: ma.ʁjɔ.nɛt — Puppets; figures controlled by strings or mechanisms.
avec: a.vɛk — Preposition meaning 'with'.
cailloux: ka.ju — Pebbles or small stones; also used figuratively.
bouche: buʃ — Mouth; the opening in the face used for speaking/eating.
Et: e — Conjunction meaning 'and', connecting clauses or ideas.
malgré: mal.ɡʁe — Preposition meaning 'despite' or 'in spite of'.
habileté: a.bi.lə.te — Skill, cleverness, or dexterity in doing something.
a: a — Third-person singular of 'avoir', meaning 'has'.
montrée: mɔ̃.tʁe — Feminine past participle of 'montrer', meaning 'shown'.
développant: de.ve.lɔ.pɑ̃ — Present participle of 'développer', meaning 'developing'.
histoire: is.twaʁ — Story or history; a narrative of events real or fictional.
je: ʒə — First-person singular pronoun meaning 'I'.
serais: sə.ʁɛ — Conditional first-person of 'être', meaning 'I would be'.
ma: ma — Feminine possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
part: paʁ — Part or share; 'de ma part' means 'for my part'.
enclin: ɑ̃.klɛ̃ — Inclined or prone to something; having a tendency.
placer: pla.se — To place or position something in a particular location.
bas: bɑ — Low; at a low rank, position, or level.
s': s — Contracted reflexive pronoun 'se' before a vowel.
il: il — Third-person masculine pronoun meaning 'he' or 'it'.
contenait: kɔ̃.tə.nɛ — Imperfect of 'contenir', meaning 'contained' or 'held'.
ce: sə — Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this', 'it', or 'that'.
me: mə — First-person reflexive/object pronoun meaning 'me'.
semble: sɑ̃bl — Seems; third-person singular of 'sembler'.
être: ɛtʁ — Infinitive verb meaning 'to be'.
véritables: ve.ʁi.tabl — Genuine or true; real examples of a category.
chefs-d': ʃɛf.d — Part of 'chefs-d'œuvre', meaning 'masterpieces'.
œuvre: œvʁ — Work; a literary, artistic, or creative production.
humour: y.muʁ — Humor; the quality of being amusing or comic.
sa: sa — Feminine possessive adjective meaning 'his', 'her', or 'its'.
faculté: fa.kyl.te — Faculty; an ability, talent, or mental capacity.
création: kʁe.a.sjɔ̃ — Creation; the act of making or inventing something new.
personnages: pɛʁ.sɔ.naʒ — Characters; persons in a literary or dramatic narrative.
peuvent: pœv — Third-person plural of 'pouvoir', meaning 'can/are able to'.
effet: e.fɛ — Effect; result or impression produced by something.
admettre: ad.mɛtʁ — To admit or accept; to allow entry or acknowledge truth.
Mme: ma.dam — Abbreviation for 'Madame', a title for a woman.
deux: dø — The number two; referring to a pair of things.
leur: lœʁ — Possessive adjective meaning 'their'; also indirect pronoun.
compagnie: kɔ̃.pa.ɲi — Company; the presence of others or a group together.
mais: mɛ — Conjunction meaning 'but', introducing a contrast.
cas: kɑ — Case; a situation, instance, or specific example.
encore: ɑ̃.kɔʁ — Still, yet, or again; also meaning 'even more'.
supérieurs: sy.pe.ʁjœʁ — Superior; higher in quality, rank, or degree.

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