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 !

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".