Sunlight
Fabio
Shayburk
Sat, 27/04/2024 - 16:30
Yes, thanks for the translation. I was studying this this morning, wondering about that very point. Is it subjunctive or not…? While I agree with your (Silvano) point about photosynthesis I believe the verb form is 3rd person sub. “Traga”, not the 3rd person present ind. “traz”. So now we have subjunctive and indicative mixed? “ Que a folha traz e traduz” would sing just as well in my opinion. Anybody have Caetano’s email? I love this song, my new favorite, so I don’t mind but I am very curious none the less.
Silvano Zheng
Sat, 19/04/2025 - 18:19
Hi Shayburk! Thanks for your comment. I see where your confusion lies. "Tragar" and "trazer" are two different words. Caetano here used the verb "tragar" (to inhale, to swallow) and not "trazer" (to bring). With "tragar", the 3rd person sub. is "trague" and the 3rd person ind. is "traga."
Silvano Zheng
Sat, 19/04/2025 - 18:25
But I understood why—the "bring" in the translation is indeed misleading. :)
Thank you for your translation! I don't think "Sunlight / May the leaf bring and translate" is what the song means to say, though. Photosynthesis is a natural phenomenon, independent of human wishes. If I'm not mistaken, the line would be better rendered as "Sunlight / That [i.e. Which] the leaf takes in and translates". Note the word form "traga"/"traduz" appears to be 3rd person present indicative, not subjunctive/conjunctive.