Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[ClarissaMach]

First time ever I translate something that I myself wrote in Portuguese... I thought it would be easier, but it was not!:

Carnaval is the greatest popular festival in Brazil, celebrated every year in most of Brazilian cities. In this context, the Carnaval organized in the city of Rio de Janeiro has international recognition, and its highlight is the parade by the twelve Escolas de Samba do Grupo Especial (see reference below).

Carnaval corresponds to the three days immediately before Ash Wednesday (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday). This is the reason why Carnaval is sometimes referred to as �tr�duo momesco�, for it is three days dedicated to King Momos (�tr�duo�, in Portuguese, means �three consecutives days�; �momesco� means �related to King Momos�).

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, period of forty days (not counting Sundays, which are not considered by the liturgical calendar) before Easter Sunday (which is a movable holiday based on the lunar calendar). It is worth reminding that Carnaval was a kind of self-indulgent way, for Christians, of saying farewell to the pleasures of flesh before the period of penance and meditation required by the experience of Lent.

In practice, though, Carnaval starts on Saturday and goes through until the following weekend. The Desfile das Campe�s (winners parade), for instance, takes place on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday, when it is already Lent.
_________________
Stormy Weather.

[CP]

Well, it is mostly fine as is. I would make a few changes to correct minor errors or smooth it out. One example: changing "the city of Rio de Janeiro" just "Rio de Janeiro," which everybody knows.

Carnaval is the greatest, most popular festival in Brazil, celebrated every year in most Brazilian cities. The Carnaval organized in Rio de Janeiro is internationally recognized. Its highlight is the parade by the twelve Escolas de Samba do Grupo Especial (see reference below).

Carnaval corresponds to the three days immediately before Ash Wednesday (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday). This is the reason / This is why Carnaval is sometimes referred to as �tr�duo momesco,� for it is three days ("triduo" in Portuguese) dedicated to King Momos.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the period of forty days (not counting Sundays, which are not considered by the liturgical calendar) before Easter Sunday (which is a movable holiday based on the lunar calendar). It is worth remembering that Carnaval was a kind of self-indulgent way for Christians to say farewell to the pleasures of the flesh before the period of penance and meditation required for Lent.

In practice, though, Carnaval starts on Saturday and goes through the following weekend. The Desfile das Campe�s (winners' parade), for instance, takes place on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday, when it is already Lent.

I'm not sure about the "see reference below," since you do not mention the 12 schools again. Is there more to the story?
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[ClarissaMach]

CP, first of all, thanks a lot.

1) Yes, the "reference below" has to do to other references along the rest of the text, which I haven't put here yet.

2) About the "city of Rio de Janeiro", I decided to write this way because Rio has a peculiarity: Rio de Janeiro city is the capital of Rio de Janeiro State. Imagine if California's capital wasn't a city named Sacramento, but, instead, a city named "California", too. Don't you think it would it be better writing "California city" for disambiguation?
_________________
Stormy Weather.

[CP]

Actually, there is a city in California named California, but it's not the capital. Okay, I can't fault you for making that distinction. But, trust me, when you say Rio, everybody thinks of the city, and no one in the English-speaking world thinks of the state of Rio de Janeiro.

The beautiful women, the fabulous beaches, the unique Christ the Redeemer, the lovely language and music . . . . Rio, a Cidade Maravilhosa.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[ClarissaMach]

Wow, thanks for the compliments on my city... I never knew you were an enthusiastic of it!

Blame it on Rio...
_________________
Stormy Weather.