Thread: human tragedy "live to tell your story"

Dear all,

I am trying to translate "live to tell your story" if possible using the word "viva".

This is for an outreach program where some human rights violations happened (in Central America), and we would like to empower the people who were affected to not be afraid speak up and tell their story to the world.

Thanks very much for your help here.

Domi.

Hi Domi,

I am thinking of "Viva para contar su historia", but it might be too literal. Let's see what other people come up with.

Hope it helps!

Regards,

Laura.

Another option may be: Vivir para contarla. In River Plate Spanish this phrase is very frequent.

Hope it helps!

Thank you both for your replies!

One question for clarab: is that phrase the correct one for Central America, for instance Guatemala?

Many thanks!
Domi

hi, it's a pleasure to give you my opinion. I would say "Vive para contar tu historia", instead of "Viva para contar su historia." This is makes it more personal, between friends, and not in a "formal" way. I know in English there's no difference.
The other phrase "Vivir para contarla" is also used, but not in the context you want to use it.
I'll be glad to help you out in further opportunities.

Hi Domi,
I checked it with a friend of mine who is from Guatemala and she told me this phrase is also frequent in Guatemala. So, yes, I think it also suits readers from that country.

Regards!

Hi Domi,
I like clarab´s suggestion. We could also blend her suggestion with Jeannette´s, and come up with Vive para contarlo/a, and you´d be keeping the "non-formal" 2nd person pronoun (tu).

Hope it helps!

"Vive para contar tu historia",

I like Jeannette's. This wording makes it very personal, from me to you so to speak, rather than the impersonal Vivir para contarlo/la...Contar qué? No se entiende. Mientras que al mencionar la palabra historia no hay que pensarlo dos veces se entiende de inmediato.