XXXIV
ACT IV, SCENES IX and X
1. M. Perrichon que donne-t-il à Daniel? 2. Que donne-t-il à Armand? 3. Pourquoi ne cherche-t-il pas à s'acquitter envers lui? 4. Comment Daniel prend-il sa défaite? 5. Pourquoi Majorin a-t-il gardé la voiture de Daniel? 6. Combien de temps l'a-t-il gardée? 7. Quelle invitation M. Perrichon fait-il à Armand pour demain? 8. Pourquoi ne peut-il prendre d'engagements pour demain? 9. Quelle excuse donne-t-il de son départ? 10. Pourquoi dit-il «commandant» au lieu de «commandé»?
LIST OF EXCLAMATIONS
Exclamations are much more usual in the give-and-take of French conversation than they are in English. Although, therefore, they may be sometimes omitted in translation, it is imperative that their force should in each case be clearly understood, and that the translation should convey, if not by a similar expletive, at any rate by some lively turn of phrase, an equivalent impression of the vivacity of the dialogue. It is here that scholarship and ingenuity can find their opportunity.
Ah! generally the English Oh! of surprise or indignation. Butsometimes (often in the mouth of Henriette) our Ah! of satisfaction or delight.
Ah bah! expresses the greatest open-mouthed amazement: You don't say!
Ah çà! generally before an interrogation, expresses some impatience or rising temper, as when the speaker is getting tired of, or a littlevexed at, anything. It frequently introduces a question that is meant to be somewhat of a poser (see Act II, Sc. I). It can often be translated by See here! or Now see here! or But see here! spoken with some sharpness and with a frown.
Aïe! always an exclamation of pain: Ouch!
A la bonne heure! That's right! (with emphasis on «that») or Good! always implying that something not so good has come before, and that this is right at last. Compare the second use of Allons donc!