translate English to French: As he cut lightly here, indented there, he spoke softly, diffidently; he was not passive, yet his act of will was limited, respectful: respectful to the form that was given.83 Knud Rasmussen, a Danish ethnographer who assembled extensive accounts of Inuit life in the early part of this century, recorded and translated the poetry of Iglulingmiut, from which we quote two examples.
[TRADUCTION] Ohnainewk tenait la dent d'un bébé morse dans sa paume; il l'a retournée légèrement, et là, sans l'ombre d'un doute, Ptarmig'an est apparu, comme par enchantement! Pendant qu'il sculptait, délicatement, il parlait tout bas, timidement; il ne restait pas là inerte, mais il ménageait ses gestes, respectueux: respectueux de la forme qui prenait vie83.