...y confondre

08:12 Oct 25, 2014 

The meaning of "y confondre" here means "bringing someone/something in". As in, rather than just an observer on the problem, makes us think about the problem.
Rather than "absorbs us into", which is too strong in that case, I would suggest "Bring us (in)to"

11:37 Oct 20, 2014 

@ DJ Lyons

Of course you're right about that, but I do find this forum extremely helpful for people's gut reactions to certain words or images - as in kashew's "engloutir" and cjohnstone's comment about "accusé". These are things I never would have thought of and they set off new ideas in my head.

It's the discussion that's interesting for me, getting people's help in thinking about meanings.

Thank you all very much for engaging!

11:32 Oct 20, 2014 

Without context it's largely a guessing game.

11:30 Oct 20, 2014 

@ cjohnstone

Thanks for your comment. Can you say more about that? I didn't know there was any link between "confound" and "accusé.

J'aimerais bien en savoir plus!

J'ai déjà rendu mon texte, et finalement j'ai choisi cette formule:

With its language ‘outside words’, XXX examines the scope for veering off ‘outside civilisation’, and explores what could hold our attention – or even absorb us into it – there.

I'm sure it's not perfect but, especially in this field, I think we're allowed some poetic licence!

11:18 Oct 20, 2014 

certainement pas "confound" qui pour moi voudrait plus dire "accusé" qu'autre chose...... une vague idée .. Bewilder us, or other language level, mix us up, drown us into (or according to lacking context) Real guess work I admit simply loose us or a acording to context, loose us into it... Sorry just attempt to get others to find the right answer!!!I stick to my refusal of "confound"

10:54 Oct 20, 2014 

Hello,

I haven't come up with a possibility (there are many but the French is...French). However, I just wanted to say that I agree with Tony about the need to translate"y" at the end.

Or... taking your own translation, Helene, I think you could possibly slot it in before the end by removing your first "there".

"With its language ‘outside words’, XXX explores the scope for veering off ‘outside civilisation’, and what is there that could hold our attention – or even confound us."

However, "voire" is normally used to intensify the previous word or "state" e.g. "don't do that - you could get hurt or even die".

Whereas, if I understand correctly (probably not :) ) there seems to be a contradiction in the French:

"cette zone peut encore **retenir notre attention**, voire **nous y
confondre**." I can't see an obvious link between the two starred bits.

10:31 Oct 20, 2014 

@ kashew

No big deal about the title of the film, I just like to keep these things confidential as a matter of policy.

10:30 Oct 20, 2014 

Thanks Kashew, I like that suggestion a lot!

10:28 Oct 20, 2014 

Engloutir ?
Incidentally, what's the big deal over disclosing the title of the Film?

09:58 Oct 20, 2014 

It seems to me that the 'y' here refers back to '(dans) cette zone', so needs in essence another 'there' tagged on at the very end!

Not sure about the meaning of 'confondre', but it might be worth bearing in mind the more literal meaning of 'muddling something up into' or 'blending into' — don't know if that's along the right lines, but it might be worth keeping an open mind ;-)