A.G., of Pforzheim, asks whether it is not best to omit the article, as in Latin. It is difficult to give a precise rule for English speaking people as to when the definite article should be expressed and when omitted. Some ingenious friends have suggested the following plan, and will be glad to hear of instances in which it fails.
Whenever in English it is impossible, without impairing the sense, to use the indefinite article "a," then, in translating into Esperanto, employ "La."
A correspondent has kindly sent a valuable article on the use of the English verb "TO GET." This will be of service to our readers. Similar useful contributions are invited.
HOW TO TRANSLATE "TO GET."
(1). When it means "to become"—iĝi.
- E.g.—To get accustomed to—
- To get used to—
- To get to do (something)—kutimiĝi je.
- It is getting cold—malvarmiĝas.
- It is getting dark—mallumiĝas.
- To get beaten—batiĝi; blamed—mallaudiĝi
- To get laughed at—mokiĝi; married—edziĝi.
- To get near—proksimiĝi (al); open—malfermiĝi.
- To get up—leviĝi.
(2). When it means "to make"—igi (sometimes konsili ke).
- E.g.—Get him to come—Lin venigu (or konsilu al li ke li venu) (or faru ke li venu).
- To get a thing done—Ion farigi.
- To get a house built—Domon konstruigi.
- To get (people) together—Kunvenigi.
- You will never get him to do that—Vi neniam konvinkos lin, ke li tion faru.