It does not work very well, I put in tracking and it came up with rastreo,

Which is following a trail.

Just done echar un polvo and got................

To throw(add) a powder...........


This is fun.

Although I must admit that I dont know the big end translation, could anyone give me a few Spanish lessons, I need to brush up.....

All I know about the big end is that, it strikes terror into the heart of the motorist involved when it breaks down.

That's similar to the one above by google, instead of rastreo it gave seguimiento! The problem with these translators is that they are used because we don't know the Spanish, so we have to blindly accept what they give us, and don't realise it can be completely wrong.

You must admit that is is very entertaining though. Its like being a kid and looking up rude words in the dictionary.

Try Word Magic Software, it gives the following,

e·char un pol·vo Verb

1. have sex, be engaged in sexual intercourse; Synonyms: fornicar, hacer el acto sexual, hacer el amor, hacer el sexo, involucrarse en una relación sexual, tener relaciones sexuales, follar, subirse al guayabo; Tener relaciones sexuales fuera del matrimonio, generalmente prohibidas por las religiones.

I find it one of the better freebies, especially for sayings, expressions etc.
http://www.wordmagicsoft.com/diction...un%20polvo.php

Fornicar, now that is a great sounding word in both languages

Perhaps the problem is not the Spanish but the English. I can think of at least 3 things that the tracking may be referring to in a car.

Jim

Problem is he was correct. A normal request would be "Can you check my steering or steering alignment".

Jim

Exactly my point, the translation software that say google uses has no way of working that out, and it's highly likely you can end up with something that makes no sense. Whereas a human translator would not make that mistake, not if they are any good!

The human translator would need to interact with you to ascertain exactly what you meant and would also require some technical background to ensure that both of you knew what you were talking about least you end up with the classic problem of "Garbage In Garbage Out".

One way round it is to use a specialist translator program and even they can fail if the user is non technical.

Jim

All of which kind of justifies my question; I know a bit but not enough about cars to be able define the difference between steering & tracking (if any, see above!) so wondered if he was right to use a word that meant steering when it's a problem with the tyres - only one, actually - wearing unevenly. I guess I have to assemble a list of possible words, say them all to him & leave him to work out I don't want him to literally reinvent the wheel, just check what needs doing & if he can do it! Good job I know him from having bought tyres there for years!

Go back to post 3 in this thread. The glossary of all terms needed at the garage with translations into Spanish was posted by me and placed in the "free beer" section around two years ago.

It is a great list, and a good help to many, but would you believe the OP asked about Tracking, and it is not on the list.

Not surprising as it is targeted at mechanics and Technicians and not at run of the mill motorists.

Just done the same exercise with the same word.

Jim

So presumably he has done the tracking on your car before so why not just ask him?

If he hasn't it probably needs it and is relatively cheap and is often done while you wait.

Jim