Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Nov 17th 2009, 2:38 pm
#1
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Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Ok, this is a spin off from JLFS's thread about the refrán he didn't know how to translate.
Have you come across any phrases (either English or Spanish) that you find impossible to translate? Perhaps we can help each other out, or maybe we can just agree that some things cannot be translated.
Here are a couple to kick off. Perhaps not impossible to translate, but I always struggle to know what to say in English to reflect the meaning accurately. I won't tell you how I translate them yet as I want to see what you guys can come up with.
1) Es muy pesado. (Meaning 'he', a person, is muy pesado, and not referring to his weight!)
2) No tengo ganas.
Have you come across any phrases (either English or Spanish) that you find impossible to translate? Perhaps we can help each other out, or maybe we can just agree that some things cannot be translated.
Here are a couple to kick off. Perhaps not impossible to translate, but I always struggle to know what to say in English to reflect the meaning accurately. I won't tell you how I translate them yet as I want to see what you guys can come up with.
1) Es muy pesado. (Meaning 'he', a person, is muy pesado, and not referring to his weight!)
2) No tengo ganas.
Nov 17th 2009, 3:03 pm
#2
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
1)Your a pest
2)I don`t feel like it.
Both from my Spanish friend, again.
2)I don`t feel like it.
Both from my Spanish friend, again.
Nov 17th 2009, 3:03 pm
#3
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Two very common phrases, with the first one being more straightforward imo
1) Es muy pesado = He's very annoying
2) No tengo ganas = I dont want to /I dont have the will to/I'm not looking forward to..
1) Es muy pesado = He's very annoying
2) No tengo ganas = I dont want to /I dont have the will to/I'm not looking forward to..
Nov 17th 2009, 3:06 pm
#4
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Try this one
Vaya yo caliente riase la gente.
Vaya yo caliente riase la gente.
Nov 17th 2009, 3:31 pm
#5
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by chulo
Try this one
Vaya yo caliente riase la gente.
Vaya yo caliente riase la gente.
Nov 17th 2009, 3:38 pm
#6
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by chulo
1)Your a pest
2)I don`t feel like it.
Both from my Spanish friend, again.
2)I don`t feel like it.
Both from my Spanish friend, again.
Your "Spanish friend" got it wrong again.
Nov 17th 2009, 4:04 pm
#7
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
I believe I stated I would not answer stupid questions.
Maybe I should widen that to stupid people.
Maybe I should widen that to stupid people.
Nov 17th 2009, 4:07 pm
#8
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
la ignorancia es valiente!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JFLS should understand that perfectly.
JFLS should understand that perfectly.
Nov 17th 2009, 4:13 pm
#9
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by chulo
la ignorancia es valiente!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JFLS should understand that perfectly.
JFLS should understand that perfectly.
He could be telling you these wrong translations, just to make you look like a tit ..................rofl:
Just tell him that he is not up to the job and to leave the translating to others who know more about both languages.
Nov 17th 2009, 5:25 pm
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by JLFS
Are you sure that your "Spanish friend" really is your friend????????
He could be telling you these wrong translations, just to make you look like a tit ..................rofl:
Just tell him that he is not up to the job and to leave the translating to others who know more about both languages.
He could be telling you these wrong translations, just to make you look like a tit ..................rofl:
Just tell him that he is not up to the job and to leave the translating to others who know more about both languages.
I thought the translations from CHULO (or his friend) were very good - so what's the problem?
Nov 17th 2009, 5:32 pm
#11
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Why would people who are bi-lingual or excellent with a second language want to translate
It has a meaning for them instantly without going through the process of translating. Professionals don't translate literally either
If you feel you must, have a google, there are lots of forums discussing this sort of thing.
Example here
http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc...%2c+meaning+of
Not rocket science if you want to show off is it
It has a meaning for them instantly without going through the process of translating. Professionals don't translate literally eitherIf you feel you must, have a google, there are lots of forums discussing this sort of thing.
Example here
http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc...%2c+meaning+of
Not rocket science if you want to show off is it
Nov 17th 2009, 5:33 pm
#12
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by snikpoh
I see this thread is going the way of all threads at the moment - why can't people stop this fighting and bickering?!
I thought the translations from CHULO (or his friend) were very good - so what's the problem?
I thought the translations from CHULO (or his friend) were very good - so what's the problem?
Nuff said...............
Nov 17th 2009, 5:34 pm
#13
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by snikpoh
I thought the translations from CHULO (or his friend) were very good - so what's the problem?
The first one's were abysmal, but I don't have a problem with the last two. I thought "pesado" was more like "boring" but pest, nuisance are valid. But what do I know?
Nov 17th 2009, 5:52 pm
#14
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Veras la paja en el ojo del vecino pero no ves el poste en tu propio ojo.
It may well translate that the person writing this is a dik head.
But if you cannot trust your accountant.
Although he did state that some here are sad, ups sorry that`ll break a rule.
It may well translate that the person writing this is a dik head.
But if you cannot trust your accountant.
Although he did state that some here are sad, ups sorry that`ll break a rule.
Nov 17th 2009, 6:03 pm
#15
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Re: Things that you cannot translate, no matter how hard you try
Originally Posted by chulo
Veras la paja en el ojo del vecino pero no ves el poste en tu propio ojo.
It may well translate that the person writing this is a dik head.
But if you cannot trust your accountant.
Although he did state that some here are sad, ups sorry that`ll break a rule.
It may well translate that the person writing this is a dik head.
But if you cannot trust your accountant.
Although he did state that some here are sad, ups sorry that`ll break a rule.
