The Passive Voice: A Linguistic Perspective
Both French and English use the passive voice, but they do so in different ways and with varying frequencies. Understanding these differences is crucial for translators who want to produce natural and accurate translations.
Structural Differences Between French and English Passives
Forming the Passive Voice
In both languages, the passive voice is typically formed using the verb to be (être in French) followed by a past participle:
- English: The book was written by Victor Hugo.
- French: Le livre a été écrit par Victor Hugo.
However, French tends to use the passive construction less frequently than English, often opting for alternative structures.
Alternative Constructions in French
Since French prefers active or reflexive constructions, translators should consider the following alternatives:
- The reflexive form: “Ce livre se lit facilement.” (This book is easy to read.)
- The impersonal construction with “on”: “On a écrit ce livre en 1862.” (This book was written in 1862.)
- The active voice with a different subject: “Victor Hugo a écrit ce livre.” (Victor Hugo wrote this book.)
When to Keep the Passive Voice
Formal and Academic Contexts
In both languages, passive constructions are common in academic, legal, and technical texts. If an English document uses the passive voice for objectivity, it may be appropriate to retain it in French:
- English: The experiment was conducted in controlled conditions.
- French: L’expérience a été menée dans des conditions contrôlées.
Emphasizing the Action Over the Subject
When the focus is on the action rather than the doer, the passive voice can be justified:
- English: A breakthrough was achieved in the research.
- French: Une avancée a été réalisée dans la recherche.
When to Change the Passive Voice
Everyday Speech and Informal Writing
French favors the active or reflexive voice in casual communication. Consider transforming passives into more natural alternatives:
- English: The invitations were sent yesterday.
- French: On a envoyé les invitations hier.
When It Sounds Unnatural in French
Some passive constructions in English sound awkward when directly translated into French:
- English: A solution was found.
- Unnatural French: Une solution a été trouvée.
- Better French: On a trouvé une solution.
A Practical Example: Adapting the Passive Voice
Let’s examine how an English sentence with the passive voice should be translated into French:
- English: The new policy was implemented to improve efficiency.
- French (literal translation): La nouvelle politique a été mise en place pour améliorer l’efficacité.
- More natural French: On a mis en place la nouvelle politique pour améliorer l’efficacité.
Final Thoughts
While English frequently relies on the passive voice, French often replaces it with active or reflexive constructions. A skilled translator must assess the context and choose the most natural rendering, ensuring clarity and fluidity in the target language. By understanding these nuances, translation professionals can create texts that are not only grammatically correct but also stylistically refined.
