2006-12-05 23:29:22 · 9 answers · asked by dodo_loui 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
It's even odder when one sees that in Spanish you don't pay attention -- you only lend it (prestar atención). I think perhaps English is too intense in its whole treatment of the word "attention". Why are we paying for something when other people don't?
2006-12-06 00:40:39 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
English tends to have more specific verbs than many other languages. Faire in French is used very broadly.
In language, you can't often directly translate and come up with a logical answer. Languages have their own unique structures.
2006-12-05 23:33:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Because French is a different language.
2006-12-06 04:27:09 · answer #3 · answered by Jack 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because it's "Andacht schenken" (give attention) in German and "Prestar Atenticion" (lend attention) in Spanish and "Aandacht geven) (give attention) in Dutch etc. So many languages so many differences, started in Babel. So we have to ask God for the answer.
2006-12-06 01:19:01 · answer #4 · answered by Armand 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Also in Italian "Fate Attenzione."
The verb 'fare' is the key. It is used in French and Italian for a variety of meanings that we have different verbs for in English.
2006-12-05 23:41:41 · answer #5 · answered by MrsC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English accent
2016-05-22 23:40:35 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't mean the same thing;
Faire attention = be cautious , be careful.,
To pay attention= etre attentif., preter l'attention.
2006-12-06 12:01:01 · answer #7 · answered by maxon475 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is often difficult to translate exactly - for example the French say "I HAVE hunger" rather than I am hungry, and I HAVE thirst, and I HAVE hot rather than I am hot.
2006-12-05 23:38:02 · answer #8 · answered by gorgeousfluffpot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Idioms are different in each language. Even if the sense of them are the same... they may be different literally.
2006-12-06 04:17:38 · answer #9 · answered by Aaron_J88 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋