tracciava le sue orbite;

20:37 Dec 13, 2017 

But you would need to try them out on a good sample of people who have no knowledge of Italian and see what reception they get. Our problem is that we know the Italian so well so our judgement is tainted.

20:15 Dec 13, 2017 

The wonderful thing about language is that you can say things that haven't been said before, and don't get Google hits, yet they still make perfect sense :-)

19:08 Dec 13, 2017 

IMHO there are two parts in this phrase to focus on:

1. Tracciava: easily translated into trace, and it would even be understandable in the context of an orbit (as we usually see them drawn on images), but in my opinion not the best word here. More appropriate "follow" as planets follow an orbit or orbital path.

2. Orbit: the word is most commonly used for celestial bodies and by extension spheres of influence (both celestial and earthly, i.e., within the orbit of a subject of interest that influences other bodies/people). However, it also means the course of one's life or activities and in context requires no explanation (no need for "like a planet").

Thus my answer "followed our own orbits". Given the context, the meanings of the words, the image of an orbit that we all understand, and the common use of "following a path" or "following an orbital path" or similar I think there is no need for further explanation of the image being conveyed.

18:26 Dec 13, 2017 

Are you sure. My opinion was it was unacceptable. Empirical evidence seems to back me up.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=50&source=hp&ei=PXAxWv6W...
Nobody would seem to have written "followed our orbits" either, which confirms my instincts.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=50&ei=TnAxWvuANILG0gTU17...

18:15 Dec 13, 2017 

I'm afraid I'm voting it non-pro. I feel a straightforward, literal translation works fine - even "traced" is OK.

17:15 Dec 13, 2017 

Good question. However, to lock yourself up in your own flat suggests being alone. I think "ogni uno di noi" refers to each of us alone in our own "micro-universe" but of course that is interpretation and I'm in danger of "reading things in to it".

17:11 Dec 13, 2017 

This is very easy to understand, but difficult to translate. I would disagree with one translation posted, and my own post has been criticised by a highly experienced and reputable translator. So I feel that anybody who wishes to vote non-pro should first post a good answer it it is so easy ;-). A good translation should fit well into the novel and make good reading which the Italian original clearly does.

16:51 Dec 13, 2017 

I assume there are other people in the apartment, since it says "ognuno di noi".