Wait, I'm passing Paul onto you.

Question

"Wait, I'm passing Paul onto you."
What does this sentence mean? I'm not a native english speaker but this sentence makes no sense. 
Based on the french sentence, I deduce it has something to do with a phone conversation.

Céline Pickard · Accepted Answer

Bonjour à tous,
Following this really interesting discussion, we decided to amend the English translation as per Cécile's first answer: to put [someone] on for you.
Thank you all for your great input!
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Céline Pickard · Answer

Bonjour chris w.,
That's a very interesting comment because in French and in English, we don't come from the same angle with regards to this expression. In French compared to the English, we tend to pass the person present over to the person on the phone. So, thanks to your comment, we've changed the translation in English as per your suggestion.
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Hi Mark, 
Yes, it is a phone conversation, if you went through a switchboard and you were asking for M. Pignon,  you might hear -
Ne quittez pas, je vous le passe = Please hold on, I'll put him on for you
I have flagged the English translation for a review.

Jim Jones · Answer

Salut Mark,"Wait, I'm passing Paul onto you."This is readily understood by a native English speaker but is a rather odd sentence structure.It would be better if it were to be rephrased --> "Wait (hold the line) I'm going to pass this call to paul."So I sympathise with your frustration.Bonne JournéeJim

Chris Wirt · Answer

Wouldn't a better English rendition of this be: Wait, I'll transfer Paul to you?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Answer

Just to add to this very interesting debate, in a home setting you would use 'passer quelqu'un' in a phone conversation.
I was talking to my sister-in-law in France the other day and at the end, she said -
Attends, je te passe ton frère = Hold on, I'll put your brother on (the phone) 
I don't think you would use 'transfer' or even 'pass the call on' in a colloquial setting but I am open-minded to any suggestions.

Chris Wirt · Answer

You're correct Cécile: in a business setting you'd use "transfer" in a home setting you'd say "pass" Having a US English background, I would, however, say, "I'm putting Paul on".

chris wallis · Answer

I think most English people would say 'I'm passing you to Paul, ' not the other way round. It reflects what you are actually doing.