Translation of 何かにつけて


> 父は何か **につけて** 、若いころ外国で過ごした思い出を語る。

Is this sentence best translated as "My father would sometimes talk about his
memories as a young man travelling abroad".

If yes, what is the difference between 何かにつけて and something simpler like 時々、時に
etc.?




> Is this sentence best translated as "My father would sometimes talk about
> his memories as a young man travelling abroad."?

I would definitely have to say **NO**. The word choice of "sometimes" does not
reflect the meaning and nuance of 「何かにつけて」 at all.

That translation basically says " ** _Someone does something at a certain
frequency_**." It sounds very neutral and it is that neutrality that is the
problem here because the expression 「何かにつけて」 is **_not_** neutral. It is
indeed fairly **_negative_**.

「何かにつけて～～する」 means " ** _to never miss a chance (to do something)_** ", " **
_to take every opportunity (to do something)_** ", etc.

This father speaks about his memories more often than his family want to
listen. That is the nuance of the original Japanese sentence and the
expression 「何かにつけて」 .

