"Ο στρατιώτης δεν έχει οικογένεια."
Translation:The soldier does not have a family.
23 CommentsThis discussion is locked.
i think it would be useful to have a native Greek speaker confirm the meaning of the sentence in Greek because that is what we are trying to translate from. Without knowing, i personally agree with the native speakers that there is a distinction to make if you add "a" but i don't think the Greek sentence implies either meaning specifically, so please allow answer with no 'a'
I am interested to hear from the Greek natives what about these differences. If I said "Ο στρατιώτης δεν έχει μία οικογένεια." would it be correct Greek? Would it have a different meaning than "Ο στρατιώτης δεν έχει οικογένεια."? How would a Greek express the differences we express in English by the way we use that little article "a"?
If I said "Ο στρατιώτης δεν έχει μία οικογένεια." would it be correct Greek?
This would only be correct if you followed it up with "Έχει δύο!" The only good reason why you should add μία is to use it as the numeral and make a point out of it.
The Greek phrase "Ο στρατιώτης δεν έχει οικογένεια." does not make a distinction between having "a family" (e.g. wife and children) and "family" (relatives). Further explanation or context is required.
To me (native U.S. English speaker), "does not have family" means something different than "does not have a family." With the article, the phrase suggests that the person in question does not have a spouse and/or children. Without the article, the phrase suggests that the person has no close living relatives.
From this native US English speaker, I would never make that differentiation.
To me, as a native U.S. English speaker, I was always under the impression that it can mean either or.
"family" is a collective noun. There are not that many of them and they are easily misused by even native English speakers. The change in meaning in English (and many other languages) when an article is used or not used is subtle and difficult. If you carefully read the English grammar blogs for "a family" you will find support for "a family" = wife and kids, and "family" meaning "relatives" but even there you will not find unanimity. You can continue to use them as if they mean the same thing but you should be aware that many people will catch the implication we have described here.
I wouldn't have thought so - officer is αξιωματικός. Soldier implies someone of a lower rank than an officer.
As for not using an indefinite article in English, I reckon that's probably OK. It sounds a bit more American than British to me, but I have heard people use 'he doesn't have family' (especially if it's then followed by another clause).
Although I could be wrong - I'm very new to Greek.
sorry, I mean to say soldier, not officer. I was referring to "family" vs "a family".
1720
The officer does not have family ...This is perfectly acceptable in english...The article is not necessary...Infact, "The officer does not have a family|"is also acceptable...
- 909
The greek sentence doesn’t specify the article “a” with “μία”, so either should be right.
In general, however, the indefinite article is much more frequently used in English compared to Greek.
In English English it is not necessary to say 'a' family ... 'does not have family' is acceptable.
- 1181
Why not simply say "has no" instead of "does not have (a)". By default it is not included, I repoted it several times.
These are some of the accepted translations and have been for over a year. We do not have any Reports.
The soldier has no family.
The serviceman has no family.
The trooper has no family.
The fighter has no family.
There are many others.
If your sentence was rejected it was for some other reason.
We moderators, cannot see what you wrote therefore you should have made a Report....after you have carefully compared what you wrote with the rejection report presented.
TIPS TO MAKE LEARNING EASIER and EFFECTIVE + HOW TO REPORT A PROBLEM
https://forum.duolingo.com/comment/22424028
they will help you:
1.Find the correct translation (Drop Down Hints)
2 find explanations for grammar and vocabulary....(Tips & notes)
3 Show you what to do if your sentence is rejected or you have another problem.
- Also, check out the Greek Forum with many more resources…... https://forum.duolingo.com/topic/936
THESE ARE AVAILABLE ON THE APP --ALL TIPS & NOTES…. https://duome.eu/tips/en/el -
Oh, now I understand. As you can see for this sentence ( The soldier has no family.) it was indeed included.