The Souls of Black Folk — Page 5

English → Pt Full Text Level 8/10

I had thereafter no desire to tear down that veil, to creep through; I held all beyond it in common contempt, and lived above it in a region of blue sky and great wandering shadows.

Depois disso, não tive mais desejo de rasgar aquele véu, de me esgueirar por ele; considerava tudo o que estava além dele com desprezo comum, e vivia acima dele numa região de céu azul e grandes sombras errantes.

That sky was bluest when I could beat my mates at examination-time, or beat them at a foot-race, or even beat their stringy heads.

Esse céu era mais azul quando eu conseguia superar meus colegas na época dos exames, ou vencê-los numa corrida, ou mesmo bater em suas cabeças magricelas.

Alas, with the years all this fine contempt began to fade; for the words I longed for, and all their dazzling opportunities, were theirs, not mine.

Ai, com os anos, todo esse belo desprezo começou a se dissipar; pois as palavras que eu ansiava, e todas as suas deslumbrantes oportunidades, eram deles, não minhas.

But they should not keep these prizes, I said; some, all, I would wrest from them.

Mas eles não deveriam ficar com esses prêmios, eu dizia; alguns, todos, eu os arrancaria deles.

Just how I would do it I could never decide: by reading law, by healing the sick, by telling the wonderful tales that swam in my head,—some way.

Como exatamente eu faria isso, nunca conseguia decidir: estudando direito, curando os doentes, contando as histórias maravilhosas que nadavam em minha cabeça — de alguma forma.

With other black boys the strife was not so fiercely sunny: their youth shrunk into tasteless sycophancy, or into silent hatred of the pale world about them and mocking distrust of everything white; or wasted itself in a bitter cry, Why did God make me an outcast and a stranger in mine own house?

Para outros rapazes negros, a luta não era tão ardentemente luminosa: sua juventude murchava em uma bajulação insípida, ou em um ódio silencioso pelo mundo pálido ao redor deles e em uma desconfiança zombeteira de tudo o que era branco; ou se desperdiçava num grito amargo: Por que Deus me fez um pária e um estranho em minha própria casa?

The shades of the prison-house closed round about us all: walls strait and stubborn to the whitest, but relentlessly narrow, tall, and unscalable to sons of night who must plod darkly on in resignation, or beat unavailing palms against the stone, or steadily, half hopelessly, watch the streak of blue above.

As sombras da casa-prisão se fecharam ao redor de todos nós: paredes estreitas e obstinadas para os mais brancos, mas implacavelmente estreitas, altas e intransponíveis para os filhos da noite, que devem caminhar penosamente na escuridão com resignação, ou bater palmas inúteis contra a pedra, ou steadily, com quase nenhuma esperança, observar o fio de azul lá em cima.

Vocabulary

Depois: de-POYS — After, subsequently; indicates something that comes later.
disso: DEE-soo — Of that, from that; contraction of 'de isso'.
não: nowN — No, not; basic negation word in Portuguese.
tive: CHEE-vee — I had; first-person singular past tense of 'ter'.
mais: MY-ss — More, anymore; indicates greater quantity or continuation.
desejo: deh-ZEH-zhoo — Desire, wish; a strong feeling of wanting something.
de: deh — Of, from; most common preposition in Portuguese.
rasgar: hahs-GAR — To tear, rip; to forcibly pull something apart.
aquele: ah-KEH-lee — That (one); demonstrative pronoun indicating something distant.
véu: VEH-oo — Veil; thin fabric covering, often symbolic of separation.
me: meh — Me, myself; first-person singular object pronoun.
esgueirar: ehs-gay-RAR — To sneak, slip through; to move stealthily past something.
por: por — By, through, for; versatile Portuguese preposition.
ele: EH-lee — He, him, it; third-person singular masculine pronoun.
considerava: kon-see-deh-RAH-vah — I/he considered; imperfect tense of 'considerar', to consider.
tudo: TOO-doo — Everything, all; refers to the totality of things.
o: oo — The; masculine singular definite article in Portuguese.
que: keh — That, which, what; common relative pronoun and conjunction.
estava: ehs-TAH-vah — Was (located/in state); imperfect tense of 'estar'.
além: ah-LEHNG — Beyond, further; indicates something past a boundary or point.
dele: DEH-lee — Of him, of it; contraction of preposition 'de' and 'ele'.
com: kong — With; preposition indicating accompaniment or manner.
desprezo: dehs-PREH-zoo — Contempt, disdain; strong feeling of disrespect toward something.
comum: koh-MOONG — Common, ordinary; shared by many or frequently occurring.
e: ee — And; basic coordinating conjunction linking words or clauses.
vivia: vee-VEE-ah — I/he lived; imperfect tense of 'viver', to live.
acima: ah-SEE-mah — Above, up high; indicates a position higher than something.
numa: NOO-mah — In a; contraction of preposition 'em' and article 'uma'.
região: heh-zhee-OWN — Region, area; a defined geographical or abstract zone.
céu: SEH-oo — Sky, heaven; the space above earth or divine realm.
azul: ah-ZOOL — Blue; color of the sky and sea.
grandes: GRAHN-dehs — Large, great; plural adjective indicating significant size or importance.
sombras: SOHM-brahs — Shadows, shades; dark areas caused by blocked light.
errantes: eh-HRAHN-chehs — Wandering, drifting; moving without fixed direction or purpose.
Esse: EH-see — That, this; demonstrative pronoun for something nearby in context.
era: EH-rah — Was; third-person singular imperfect tense of 'ser'.
quando: KWAHN-doo — When; temporal conjunction introducing a time-related clause.
eu: EH-oo — I; first-person singular subject pronoun in Portuguese.
conseguia: kon-seh-GEE-ah — I/he managed, succeeded; imperfect tense of 'conseguir'.
superar: soo-peh-RAR — To surpass, overcome; to go beyond others' performance or obstacles.
meus: MEH-oos — My; first-person masculine plural possessive adjective.
colegas: koh-LEH-gahs — Colleagues, classmates; people one works or studies alongside.
na: nah — In the; contraction of preposition 'em' and article 'a'.
época: EH-poh-kah — Era, time period; a particular span of historical or personal time.
dos: dohs — Of the; contraction of preposition 'de' and article 'os'.
exames: eh-ZAH-mehs — Exams, tests; formal academic assessments of knowledge.
ou: oh — Or; disjunctive conjunction presenting an alternative choice.
vencê-los: ven-SEH-lohs — To beat them, defeat them; to win against opponents.
corrida: koh-HEE-dah — Race, run; a competitive speed contest or act of running.
mesmo: MEH-zmoo — Even, same, itself; used for emphasis or equivalence.
bater: bah-TEHR — To hit, beat; to strike something or someone forcefully.
em: ehng — In, on, at; common Portuguese preposition indicating location.
suas: SOO-ahs — Their, your; third-person feminine plural possessive adjective.
cabeças: kah-BEH-sahs — Heads; plural of 'cabeça', the uppermost body part.
magricelas: mah-gree-SEH-lahs — Skinny ones, scrawny people; informally thin or slight persons.
Ai: AH-ee — Then, there; indicates a point in time or place.
os: ohs — The; masculine plural definite article in Portuguese.
anos: AH-noos — Years; units of time equal to twelve months.
todo: TOH-doo — All, every, whole; indicates totality of something.
esse: EH-see — That, this; demonstrative adjective for contextually close referents.
belo: BEH-loo — Beautiful, lovely; adjective describing something aesthetically pleasing.
começou: koh-meh-SOH — Began, started; third-person preterite of 'começar'.
a: ah — To, the; preposition or feminine singular definite article.
se: seh — Himself, itself, oneself; reflexive pronoun in Portuguese.
dissipar: dee-see-PAR — To dissipate, fade away; to gradually disappear or scatter.
pois: POYS — Because, since, for; causal or explanatory conjunction.
as: ahs — The; feminine plural definite article in Portuguese.
palavras: pah-LAH-vrahs — Words; units of spoken or written language.
ansiava: ahn-see-AH-vah — I/he longed for, yearned; imperfect tense of 'ansiar'.
todas: TOH-dahs — All, every; feminine plural form of 'todo'.
deslumbrantes: dehs-loom-BRAHN-chehs — Dazzling, stunning; something brilliantly impressive or breathtaking.
oportunidades: oh-por-too-nee-DAH-dehs — Opportunities; favorable circumstances allowing achievement of goals.
eram: EH-rowng — Were; third-person plural imperfect tense of 'ser'.
deles: DEH-lehs — Theirs, of them; third-person masculine plural possessive.
minhas: MEE-nyahs — Mine; first-person feminine plural possessive adjective.
Mas: mahs — But; adversative conjunction indicating contrast or contradiction.
eles: EH-lehs — They, them; third-person masculine plural subject pronoun.
deveriam: deh-veh-REE-owng — They should, ought to; conditional tense of 'dever'.
ficar: fee-KAR — To stay, remain, become; versatile verb of position or change.
esses: EH-sehs — Those, these; masculine plural demonstrative pronoun.
prêmios: PREH-mee-oos — Prizes, awards; rewards given for achievement or excellence.
dizia: dee-ZEE-ah — I/he said, used to say; imperfect tense of 'dizer'.
alguns: al-GOONSH — Some, a few; masculine plural indefinite pronoun or adjective.
arrancaria: ah-hrahn-kah-REE-ah — Would snatch, would tear away; conditional of 'arrancar'.
Como: KOH-moo — How, as, like; interrogative adverb or comparison conjunction.
exatamente: eh-zah-tah-MEN-chee — Exactly, precisely; adverb indicating complete accuracy or agreement.
faria: fah-REE-ah — Would do, would make; conditional tense of 'fazer'.
isso: EE-soo — This, that; neuter demonstrative pronoun for nearby things.
nunca: NOON-kah — Never; adverb expressing the complete absence of occurrence.
decidir: deh-see-DEER — To decide; to make a choice or reach a conclusion.
estudando: ehs-too-DAHN-doo — Studying; present participle of 'estudar', to study.
direito: dee-HAY-too — Law, right; legal field or entitlement to something.
curando: koo-RAHN-doo — Healing, curing; present participle of 'curar', to cure.
doentes: doo-EN-chehs — Sick people, patients; those who are ill or unwell.
contando: kon-TAHN-doo — Telling, counting; present participle of 'contar'.
histórias: ees-TOH-ree-ahs — Stories, tales; narratives recounting real or fictional events.
maravilhosas: mah-rah-vee-LYOH-zahs — Wonderful, marvelous; feminine plural adjective of great admiration.
nadavam: nah-DAH-vowng — They swam, used to swim; imperfect tense of 'nadar'.
minha: MEE-nyah — My; first-person feminine singular possessive adjective.
cabeça: kah-BEH-sah — Head; the uppermost part of the human body.
alguma: al-GOO-mah — Some, any; feminine singular indefinite adjective or pronoun.
forma: FOR-mah — Form, way, manner; a shape or method of doing something.
Para: PAH-rah — For, to, toward; preposition indicating purpose or direction.
outros: OH-troos — Others, other; masculine plural pronoun indicating different people.
rapazes: hah-PAH-zehs — Boys, young men; plural of 'rapaz', a young male.
negros: NEH-groos — Black; masculine plural adjective referring to dark color or race.
luta: LOO-tah — Struggle, fight; effort against resistance or opposition.
tão: towN — So, such; adverb intensifying an adjective or adverb.
ardentemente: ar-den-chee-MEN-chee — Ardently, fervently; with great passion or intense enthusiasm.
luminosa: loo-mee-NOH-zah — Luminous, bright; emitting or full of light; radiant.
sua: SOO-ah — His, her, its, your; third-person singular possessive adjective.
juventude: zhoo-ven-TOO-deh — Youth; the period of being young or young people collectively.
murchava: moor-SHAH-vah — Withered, wilted; imperfect tense of 'murchar', to wither.
uma: OO-mah — A, an, one; feminine singular indefinite article.
bajulação: bah-zhoo-lah-SOWNG — Flattery, sycophancy; excessive insincere praise or fawning behavior.
insípida: een-SEE-pee-dah — Insipid, bland; lacking flavor, interest, or vitality.
um: oong — A, an, one; masculine singular indefinite article.
ódio: OH-dee-oo — Hatred, hate; intense feeling of strong dislike or aversion.
silencioso: see-len-see-OH-zoo — Silent, quiet; making no sound; existing without expression.
pelo: PEH-loo — By the, for the; contraction of 'por' and 'o'.
mundo: MOON-doo — World; the earth or a particular sphere of existence.
pálido: PAH-lee-doo — Pale; lacking color or vibrancy; whitish in appearance.
ao: ow — To the, at the; contraction of preposition 'a' and 'o'.
redor: heh-DOR — Around, surroundings; the area or space encircling something.
desconfiança: dehs-kon-fee-AHN-sah — Distrust, suspicion; lack of confidence or trust in others.
zombeteira: zom-beh-TAY-rah — Mocking, scornful; characterized by ridicule or sneering derision.
branco: BRAHN-koo — White; the color of snow; also used to refer to white people.
desperdiçava: dehs-per-dee-SAH-vah — Was wasting; imperfect tense of 'desperdiçar', to waste.
num: noong — In a, in one; contraction of 'em' and masculine 'um'.
grito: GREE-too — Scream, shout, cry; a loud vocal expression of emotion.
amargo: ah-MAR-goo — Bitter; having an unpleasant sharp taste or tone of resentment.
Por: por — By, for, through; preposition indicating cause, agent, or means.
Deus: DEH-oos — God; the supreme divine being in monotheistic religions.
fez: fehsh — Made, did; third-person singular preterite of 'fazer'.
pária: PAH-ree-ah — Pariah, outcast; a person rejected or excluded by society.
estranho: ehs-TRAHN-yoo — Strange, stranger; something foreign or a person who is unknown.
própria: PROH-pree-ah — Own, proper; feminine adjective indicating belonging or authenticity.
casa: KAH-zah — House, home; a building or place where one lives.
As: ahs — The; feminine plural definite article in Portuguese.
da: dah — Of the; contraction of preposition 'de' and article 'a'.
casa-prisão: KAH-zah-pree-ZOWNG — Prison-house; metaphorical compound of home and prison.
fecharam: feh-SHAH-rowng — They closed, shut; third-person plural preterite of 'fechar'.
nós: nohsh — We, us; first-person plural subject pronoun in Portuguese.
paredes: pah-REH-dehs — Walls; vertical structures enclosing or dividing interior spaces.
estreitas: ehs-TRAY-tahs — Narrow, tight; feminine plural adjective indicating limited width.
obstinadas: obs-chee-NAH-dahs — Stubborn, obstinate; persistently unyielding or firmly resistant.
para: PAH-rah — For, to; preposition indicating purpose, direction, or recipient.
brancos: BRAHN-koos — White people; plural of 'branco' used in racial context.
mas: mahs — But; conjunction indicating contrast between two clauses.
implacavelmente: eem-plah-kah-vel-MEN-chee — Implacably, relentlessly; without mercy or possibility of softening.
altas: AL-tahs — High, tall; feminine plural adjective indicating great height.
intransponíveis: een-trahn-spoh-NEE-vaysh — Insurmountable, impassable; impossible to cross or overcome.
filhos: FEE-lyoos — Sons, children; male offspring or children in general.
noite: NOY-chee — Night; the dark period between sunset and sunrise.
devem: DEH-veng — They must, should; third-person plural present of 'dever'.
caminhar: kah-mee-NYAR — To walk, journey; to move forward on foot or in life.
penosamente: peh-noh-zah-MEN-chee — Painfully, laboriously; in a manner involving great effort or suffering.
escuridão: ehs-koo-ree-DOWNG — Darkness; the absence of light; gloom or obscurity.
resignação: heh-zeeg-nah-SOWNG — Resignation, acceptance; passive submission to difficult circumstances.
palmas: PAL-mahs — Palms, claps; palm of the hand or the act of applauding.
inúteis: ee-NOO-taysh — Useless, futile; serving no purpose or having no effect.
contra: KON-trah — Against; preposition indicating opposition or physical contact.
pedra: PEH-drah — Stone, rock; hard mineral material found in nature.
quase: KWAH-zee — Almost, nearly; indicating proximity to but not reaching a state.
nenhuma: neh-NYOO-mah — No, none, not any; feminine singular negative indefinite pronoun.
esperança: ehs-peh-RAHN-sah — Hope; feeling of expectation or desire for positive outcomes.
observar: ob-ser-VAR — To observe, watch; to look at carefully or pay attention to.
fio: FEE-oo — Thread, wire, strand; a thin filament of material.
lá: lah — There; adverb indicating a place distant from the speaker.
cima: SEE-mah — Top, above; the upper part or highest point of something.

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