correct translation of FIFA World Cup slogan

[luhsun]

I apologise if i posted this in the wrong forum. However, i think some of the slogans were translated atrociously into English. As this is an English lit forum, with members from all over the world, hopefully some also native speakers of these countries/languages, i think i can get some insight into the meanings of these slogans and also better english translations. I think they may sound better in their native languages, but a stilted english translation may not do them justice. Of course, the australians need not bother with explanation...their socceroos are hopping beyond redemption!

http://m.fifa.com/worldcup/games/be-there-with-hyundai/winning-slogans/index.html

Of particular note, could anyone explain the russian slogan..."no one can catch us"?

[mal4mac]

The English slogans are worse, the naffest slogan has to be:

Australia - "SOCCEROOS: HOPPING OUR WAY INTO HISTORY!"??

I hope they were trying to be bad!

Cleverest slogan? I vote for:

IMPOSSIBLE N'EST PAS FRANCAIS (IMPOSSIBLE IS NOT A FRENCH WORD)

A quick Google check reveals that this may be correct! The English word "impossible" came from Latin via Anglo-French (which I guess the French would not count as any kind of "proper French", strict as they are with their language...)

Russia's "No one can catch us" would surely be better translated as "No man can touch us", as it would reflect better the rampant homophobia in their society.

[luhsun]

Yes, the heartbeat of millions is a bit melodramatic, coming from the land of shakespeare.
Across the channel, will it translate better with "impossible is not french" instead of french word? Obviously, not french letter.
The homophobia dig on putin's guys is witty... another twist revolves around putin's taunt to EU after Crimea.... but seriously, l dont read russian, what is it all about?

[prendrelemick]

Real men wear orange! Excellent.

[mal4mac]

Yes, the heartbeat of millions is a bit melodramatic, coming from the land of shakespeare.
Across the channel, will it translate better with "impossible is not french" instead of french word?

No, that doesn't work. Maybe it's best left untranslated! It will be interesting to see if it manages to sneak into English untranslated, like savoir faire, or Je ne sais qua. I just googled the phrase, it's actually a French proverb:

http://french.about.com/od/vocabulary/a/nestpasfrancais.htm

If you must have an English version you are probably better translating the sense rather than going for a literal translation - "there's no such thing as can't" or "nothing is impossible."