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Underwater Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary
Happy disposition
Hi,
I came across a translation of Jane Austen’s Emma and I'm confused. Since the book was published by a reliable publishing house I think that I have to be sure before saying it’s right/wrong.
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.
The thing is about the ‘happy disposition’. Translation implies that it stands for Emma and uses it to describe her as in ‘she has a happy nature’
but it comes after the description of Emma (handsome, clever, and rich). Shouldn’t it be about her life or life style?
For the word ‘disposition’ dictionaries say:
1. A habitual inclination; a tendency
2. Arrangement, positioning, or distribution; Manner of placing or arranging; The way sth is placed or arrange
Could somebody throw a light on this? Is it about Emma or her life conditions?
Thanks in advance
I came across a translation of Jane Austen’s Emma and I'm confused. Since the book was published by a reliable publishing house I think that I have to be sure before saying it’s right/wrong.
Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.
The thing is about the ‘happy disposition’. Translation implies that it stands for Emma and uses it to describe her as in ‘she has a happy nature’
but it comes after the description of Emma (handsome, clever, and rich). Shouldn’t it be about her life or life style?
For the word ‘disposition’ dictionaries say:
1. A habitual inclination; a tendency
2. Arrangement, positioning, or distribution; Manner of placing or arranging; The way sth is placed or arrange
Could somebody throw a light on this? Is it about Emma or her life conditions?
Thanks in advance
Top answer
The novel was published in 1815, and English words have changed somewhat in the past 200 years. Your translation is fine. It is about Emma herself - she was good-natured, optimistic, and generally happy.
- The novel was published in 1815, and English words have changed somewhat in the past 200 years.
- Your translation is fine.
- It is about Emma herself - she was good-natured, optimistic, and generally happy.
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1 Answers
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The novel was published in 1815, and English words have changed somewhat in the past 200 years.
Your translation is fine. It is about Emma herself - she was good-natured, optimistic, and generally happy.
Your translation is fine. It is about Emma herself - she was good-natured, optimistic, and generally happy.
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