← The Social Cancer: A Complete English Version of Noli Me Tangere

The Social Cancer: A Complete English Version of Noli Me Tangere — Page 13

English → Fr Preface Level 6/10

In the countries more in contact with the trend of civilization and more susceptible to revolutionary influences from the mother country this separation came from within, while in the remoter parts the archaic and outgrown system dragged along until a stronger force from without destroyed it.

Dans les pays plus en contact avec le courant de la civilisation et plus susceptibles de subir les influences révolutionnaires de la mère patrie, cette séparation vint de l'intérieur, tandis que dans les régions plus reculées, le système archaïque et dépassé se traîna jusqu'à ce qu'une force extérieure plus puissante le détruisît.

Nowhere was the crystallization of form and principle more pronounced than in religious life, which fastened upon the mother country a deadening weight that hampered all progress, and in the colonies, notably in the Philippines, virtually converted her government into a hagiarchy that had its face toward the past and either could not or would not move with the current of the times.

Nulle part la cristallisation de la forme et du principe ne fut plus prononcée que dans la vie religieuse, qui imposa à la mère patrie un poids paralysant entravant tout progrès, et qui, dans les colonies, notamment aux Philippines, convertit pratiquement son gouvernement en une hagiocratie tournée vers le passé et qui ne pouvait ou ne voulait pas suivre le courant des temps.

So, when "the shot heard round the world," the declaration of humanity's right to be and to become, in its all-encircling sweep, reached the lands controlled by her it was coldly received and blindly rejected by the governing powers, and there was left only the slower, subtler, but none the less sure, process of working its way among the people to burst in time in rebellion and the destruction of the conservative forces that would repress it.

Ainsi, lorsque « le coup de feu entendu à travers le monde », la déclaration du droit de l'humanité à être et à devenir, dans son élan universel, atteignit les terres placées sous sa domination, il fut froidement accueilli et aveuglément rejeté par les pouvoirs en place, et il ne resta plus que le processus plus lent, plus subtil, mais non moins sûr, de se frayer un chemin parmi le peuple pour éclater en temps voulu en rébellion et en destruction des forces conservatrices qui cherchaient à le réprimer.

In the opening years of the nineteenth century the friar orders in the Philippines had reached the apogee of their power and usefulness.

Dans les premières années du dix-neuvième siècle, les ordres de frères aux Philippines avaient atteint l'apogée de leur pouvoir et de leur utilité.

Their influence was everywhere felt and acknowledged, while the country still prospered under the effects of the vigorous and progressive administrations of Anda and Vargas in the preceding century.

Leur influence se faisait sentir et était reconnue partout, tandis que le pays continuait de prospérer sous les effets des administrations vigoureuses et progressistes d'Anda et de Vargas au siècle précédent.

Vocabulary

Dans
In, within, inside a place or time period.
les
The (plural definite article for masculine/feminine).
pays
Country, nation, or region with defined borders.
plus
More, additional, or plus in mathematical sense.
en
In, into, or within a location or time.
contact
Contact, connection, or communication with others.
avec
With, accompanied by, or in company of.
le
The (singular definite article for masculine noun).
courant
Current, stream, or contemporary trend or movement.
de
Of, from, or belonging to something.
la
The (singular definite article for feminine noun).
civilisation
Civilization, advanced society with culture and institutions.
et
And, used to connect words or clauses.
susceptibles
Susceptible, capable of being affected or influenced.
subir
To undergo, suffer, or be subjected to something.
influences
Influences, effects or power to change others.
révolutionnaires
Revolutionary, relating to sudden radical change.
mère
Mother, female parent or origin source.
patrie
Fatherland, homeland, or native country.
cette
This, that (feminine singular demonstrative adjective).
séparation
Separation, division, or disconnection from something.
vint
Came (third person singular past tense of venir).
intérieur
Interior, inside, or inner part of something.
tandis
While, whereas, at the same time as.
que
That, which, or while (relative/comparative conjunction).
régions
Regions, areas, or geographical territories.
reculées
Remote, distant, or isolated places.
système
System, organized set of principles or procedures.
archaïque
Archaic, ancient, or old-fashioned in nature.
dépassé
Outdated, exceeded, or surpassed in progress.
se
Oneself, reflexive pronoun for third person.
traîna
Dragged, trailed, or lingered (past tense).
jusqu
Until, up to a certain point or time.
ce
This, that (demonstrative pronoun or adjective).
une
A, an (feminine singular indefinite article).
force
Force, strength, power, or military strength.
extérieure
External, outer, or outside in location.
puissante
Powerful, mighty, or having great strength.
détruisît
Destroyed (subjunctive past tense third person).
Nulle
No, none, or not a single one.
part
Part, place, or portion of something.
cristallisation
Crystallization, formation of clear defined structure.
forme
Form, shape, or physical structure.
du
Of the, from the (contraction de + le).
principe
Principle, fundamental rule or basic belief.
ne
Not, negative adverb in French negation.
fut
Was (third person singular past tense être).
prononcée
Pronounced, clearly expressed or distinct.
vie
Life, existence, or way of living.
religieuse
Religious, pertaining to faith or spirituality.
qui
Who, which, that (relative pronoun).
imposa
Imposed, enforced, or required by authority.
un
A, an (masculine singular indefinite article).
poids
Weight, burden, or heaviness of something.
paralysant
Paralyzing, causing inability to act or move.
entravant
Hindering, obstructing, or impeding progress.
tout
All, everything, or entire in scope.
progrès
Progress, advancement, or improvement over time.
colonies
Colonies, territories controlled by distant nation.
notamment
Namely, particularly, or especially in particular.
aux
To the, at the (contraction à + les).
convertit
Converted, changed, or transformed into something.
pratiquement
Practically, virtually, or almost entirely.
son
His, her, its (possessive adjective).
gouvernement
Government, system of ruling or administration.
tournée
Turned, directed, or oriented in direction.
vers
Towards, in direction of, or about.
passé
Past, previous, or no longer current.
pouvait
Could, was able to (imperfect tense).
ou
Or, indicating alternative choice between options.
voulait
Wanted, wished, or desired (imperfect tense).
pas
Not, negation, or step or pace.
suivre
To follow, go after, or obey.
des
Of the, some (contraction de + les).
temps
Times, periods, or instances in history.
Ainsi
Thus, therefore, or in this way.
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