Bojour, Why is "Nous ne savions pas lire avant" translated as "We couldn't read before" !! Whereas it ought to be "We did not know how to read before.
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Chris
Kwiziq community member
19/11/18
To me, either version is OK in English because "can" carries both meanings (to be able to something -- savoir, and to have the opportunity to do somtehing -- pouvoir).
"I can read" thus can both mean that I have learned to read in school and also that I am in a position to read (as in "I can read the text if you want.")
For the sake of clarity, however, and to be absolutely clear, the translation "We didn't know how to read" would be better.
jerin
Kwiziq community member
19/11/18

Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
20/11/18
I completely agree with Chris's comprehensive answer :)
I've now changed the English accordingly.
Bonne journée !
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jerin
Kwiziq community member
19 November 2018
3 replies
Bojour, Why is "Nous ne savions pas lire avant" translated as "We couldn't read before" !! Whereas it ought to be "We did not know how to read before.
This question relates to:
French lesson "Position of negation with two verbs (conjugated + infinitive)"