What is wrong with "avec leurs lances à leurs épaules"?

Question

I accidentally perpetrated this mistranslation and was wondering how many in the community would spot what is a fairly frequent error in translating from Germanic into Romance languages. Also, do you remember actually being taught in school to avoid this specific type of solecism?..

CyC · Accepted Answer

I would say "avec leurs lances à l'épaule", assuming they each carry their lances on one shoulder.

Doethineb · Answer

I would have said: ""avec leurs lances aux épaules" because it is not feasible for their lances to be against anyone's shoulders other than their own. If their lances are against someone else's shoulders it either means that they are getting in one another's way with a mingling of lances or thrusting their lances perhaps into the enemy.

RE · Answer

The second leurs is redundant. Aux épaules. Yes, this was taught in school when I first learned French 60 years ago. The same is true in Spanish, by the way, and I would expect in Portuguese as well.

What is wrong with "avec leurs lances à leurs épaules"?

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