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  3. Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting

下手的

English translation: hands

17:00 Jan 30, 2021
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
Chinese term or phrase: 下手的
Context:
艺术家像在人的身体上寻找穴位那样，找到了在Jouy-en-Josas的基金会在这个场域的下手的精准位置。

Hello, I am a little confused by the meaning of "下手" in this context. For a little more context, this is about a site on a Foundation's estate (in Jouy-en-Josas) where they have stored rubbish and the artist has chosen to do a project. I am struggling to pinpoint the nuance of 下手 in this context. Would anyone be able help give me some clarity on this? I wonder if it could be the precise position where the Foundation has had a damaging effect (meaning: to have committed a crime). This seems to be the most likely meaning to me but it can have several different meanings depending on the context so I am not sure.

Many thanks for your help!
Lucy Johnston
France
English translation:hands
Explanation:
pinpointed where in the area the foundation at Jouy-en-Josas laid its hands on.

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Note added at 1 day 6 hrs (2021-01-31 23:10:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I guess we have to figure out what the source text means before we "下手” translate it.

Interpretation 1:
艺术家（subject of verb "找到了”）像在人的身体上寻找穴位那样（=adv.)，找到了(verb)在Jouy-en-Josas的(=adj.)基金会(subject of verb "下手“)在这个场域（=adv.)的(awkward Chinese, should be removed)下手（verb)的精准位置（object of "下手“）。

Interpretation 2:
艺术家（subject of verb1 "找到了” and verb2 “下手”）像在人的身体上寻找穴位那样（=adv.)，找到了(verb 1)在（preposition) Jouy-en-Josas 的(possessive pronoun)基金会在(this "在“ has to be "的” to make sense)这个场域（"在 Jouy....这个场域“=adv.)的(still awkward Chinese)下手（verb2)的精准位置（object of "找到了”）。

I prefer the former since it only needs to remove one "的“.
我太难啦 ：-）
Selected response from:

Chuan Xiao
Canada
Local time: 16:35
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4did its act
Kiet Bach
4hands
Chuan Xiao


  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
did its act


Explanation:
找到了在Jouy-en-Josas的基金会在这个场域的下手的精准位置。
found the precise place in the site where the foundation at Jouy-en-Josas did its act.

下手：start doing something.
下毒手：kill someone; commit a crime against someone.

Kiet Bach
United States
Local time: 16:35
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 8
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you!

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11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
hands


Explanation:
pinpointed where in the area the foundation at Jouy-en-Josas laid its hands on.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day 6 hrs (2021-01-31 23:10:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I guess we have to figure out what the source text means before we "下手” translate it.

Interpretation 1:
艺术家（subject of verb "找到了”）像在人的身体上寻找穴位那样（=adv.)，找到了(verb)在Jouy-en-Josas的(=adj.)基金会(subject of verb "下手“)在这个场域（=adv.)的(awkward Chinese, should be removed)下手（verb)的精准位置（object of "下手“）。

Interpretation 2:
艺术家（subject of verb1 "找到了” and verb2 “下手”）像在人的身体上寻找穴位那样（=adv.)，找到了(verb 1)在（preposition) Jouy-en-Josas 的(possessive pronoun)基金会在(this "在“ has to be "的” to make sense)这个场域（"在 Jouy....这个场域“=adv.)的(still awkward Chinese)下手（verb2)的精准位置（object of "找到了”）。

I prefer the former since it only needs to remove one "的“.
我太难啦 ：-）


Chuan Xiao
Canada
Local time: 16:35
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 7
Notes to answerer
Asker: Hello, thank you for your reply! I am looking at the text again and wonder is there any chance that the subject of the verb could be the artist himself? Which would mean he is pinpointing where in the area (belonging to the foundation) he will start work? I think that the Foundation is the subject of the verb but want to make sure. Many thanks for your help.

Asker: Thank you for your detailed reply! Yes, I think it comes down to the "在“ after 基金会在 that means it has to be the subject of that part of the sentence (unless the source text is modified). Many thanks!

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