Laura the translator
New Member
Hi everyone. I am translating a book from German into English and the characters often travel in a schooner. I want to make sure I have the correct phrasing and vocab when I write about their sailing adventures. Anyone want to help?
Today I have questions about the phrase "to set sail" and how to describe wind.
My impression is that "set sail" originally means to place the sails in the right position for going where you want to go. But nowadays people use it casually in a much more general sense. Translated literally, the passage I'm working on says the character "set the sails and used the weak wind to continue sailing westward." Questions are:
1. Can I say "he set sail" (meaning that he put the sails in position) or should I expand the phrase (e.g. "he set the sails")?
2. How would you describe a "weak wind" in a sailing context? Low breeze? Slight wind? Light wind/breeze? Something else? Suggestions welcome.
Thank you!
Today I have questions about the phrase "to set sail" and how to describe wind.
My impression is that "set sail" originally means to place the sails in the right position for going where you want to go. But nowadays people use it casually in a much more general sense. Translated literally, the passage I'm working on says the character "set the sails and used the weak wind to continue sailing westward." Questions are:
1. Can I say "he set sail" (meaning that he put the sails in position) or should I expand the phrase (e.g. "he set the sails")?
2. How would you describe a "weak wind" in a sailing context? Low breeze? Slight wind? Light wind/breeze? Something else? Suggestions welcome.
Thank you!