Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Swedish term or phrase:
talande
English translation:
speaks voliumes: significant
Added to glossary by
Charlesp
Mar 18, 2007 12:31
17 yrs ago
Swedish term
talande
Swedish to English
Bus/Financial
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
Hans tystnad i denna del är talande.
This literally of course means 'His silence regarding this is significant." But could it also mean, as an expression, 'His silence regarding this speaks for itself.' ?
This literally of course means 'His silence regarding this is significant." But could it also mean, as an expression, 'His silence regarding this speaks for itself.' ?
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +2 | speaks voliumes |
Peter Linton (X)
|
| 5 | revealing/telling |
E2efour (X)
|
| 4 | significant/expressive |
Cristian Iscrulescu
|
Proposed translations
+2
7 hrs
Selected
speaks voliumes
Although the other suggestions are perfectly good, I think in this context the phrase "speaks voilumes" works particularly well. It is Quite common in English, it is idiomatic, stylish, and contrasts neatly with "tystnad".
See ref for a more detailed explanation.
So I would say "His silence . . . speaks volumes".
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Note added at 20 hrs (2007-03-19 09:18:36 GMT)
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I mean of course "speaks volumes" !!!
See ref for a more detailed explanation.
So I would say "His silence . . . speaks volumes".
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Note added at 20 hrs (2007-03-19 09:18:36 GMT)
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I mean of course "speaks volumes" !!!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
t4t
: I agree. Speaks volumes is the most natural and useful one.
2 hrs
|
| agree |
E2efour (X)
: It's a matter of taste, but one might regard "speaks volumes" as a cliché. It's no more stylish than "telling" as far as I am concerned. We have no context!
16 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
56 mins
Cristian Iscrulescu
United States
United States
Works in field
United States
Proficient and reliable
Native in: Romanian 
Works in: English to Romanian, Romanian to English, Swedish to English, and 1 more.
significant/expressive
According to Norstedts Engelska Ordbok.
3 hrs
revealing/telling
Talande is a synonym of avslöjande (= som ger anledning till närliggande slutsatser).
Whether you think this means "speaks for itself" is up to you to decide!
Whether you think this means "speaks for itself" is up to you to decide!
Discussion