Semantic Field of "La Terre."

[Jeff Morrow]

First a qualification of my profile. I studied French intensively some 45 years ago, but have forgotten virtually everything so I classify myself as being a beginner again.

 

I am looking for the best translation of Fanon's phrase, "les damnes de la terre." The obvious translation used by everyone is the "damned of the earth," but I am not sure that fully captures the thought.  The French word “terre” has a broader semantic field than the English word “earth,” but both words may have the meanings of either “world” or “soil” in English. My impression, however, is that the primary meaning in French of “la terre” is “the soil,” and the primary meaning in English of “the earth” with the definite article attached is “the world.” If that impression is correct, any translation of Fanon’s phrase into English loses something because “soil” has no connotation of “world,” but “la terre” does have a connotation of “le monde.” 

 

Is there a solution to this problem of translation? 

 

Jeff

 

    

[Neil Coffey]

There's a slight difference between terre and earth in the sense that terre can cover the meaning of land (as opoosed to sea), whereas neither earth nor soil in English really covers this meaning.

But I think for the purpose of your translation, you're maybe over-worrying: la terre commonly means "the (planet) Earth". Actually, the Larousse I have in front of me lists this as the first meaning.

[Jeff Morrow]

Thank you. You have solved my problem through the simple process of elimination. I do tend to worry things to death.