Thread: Mob, protest, or what?

Hi everyone!!
I think I'm going to need a native English over here heheheeh.

Lately in my country we've been having "manifestaciones", that's when people go out in the streets and march or bang kitchen pans againts our corrupted political leaders (the latter is called "cacerolazo", another argentinian invention after "dulce de leche" and "colectivo").
Some people stand in the middle of streets, bridges, or routs to stop traffic and don't let anyone cross. This always attracs TV and media attention and lets their cause be known, but it's highly annoying for everyone caught in the traffic jam for hours. This method is called "piquete" and the ones who do it are "piqueteros".

How do you translate all this???
Is is "manifestation"? It just doesn't sound right....How about "protest"?
The "piquete" is just killing me...

Maybe it's like dishes and cuisine, there's just no translation...after all, if we don't translate gnocchi, why translate piquete?

Protest is ok, and for piqueteros I've seen it as "piqueteros" or "pickets". Have a look at these links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2543753.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2543753.stm
http://protests-argentine.feed24.com/go/52173576
http://protests-argentine.feed24.com/go/52120105
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7327476.stm

You'll find lots of examples in those links!!

Hope it helps!

My English husband says: "demonstration", "protest"
and the participants are "demonstrators or "protestors"
which just confirms what you are all saying.

Originally Posted by kellymellars

and the participants are "demonstrators or "protestors"

Demonstrators or protesters are "manifestantes". In Argentina a "piquetero" is... a piquetero... not a demontrator (I guess you should be Argentinian to understand )
The term "picketers" is used by the BBC. I think we should make the difference...

Originally Posted by mem286

Demonstrators or protesters are "manifestantes". In Argentina a "piquetero" is... a piquetero... not a demonstrator (I guess you should be Argentinian to understand )
The term "picketers" is used by the BBC. I think we should make the difference...

I think the term "piquete, piquetero" is used in all Spanish speaking countries more or less the same, as it seems.

Not to confuse, I am all with mem , a demonstrator with a piquetero.

The picketers (in Spain) are the ones who impose the demonstration on others. So, the people who do not wish to take part in the demonstrations, are "obliged" to do so by the picketers.

In Spain, the piquetes are often quite uncivilised.

Exxcentrica, it sounds like you could be refering to "picketing", and picket lines!
But in this case picket lines are used to stop people from getting into a place. Usually done during a strike, and though meant to be peaceful it could turn violent. What do you think?

Hi Verónica!

I think protest would be the best choice. "Demonstration" could work, but it doesn't convey the scene quite right, and "strike" is more reserved for unions or groups of people that have stopped doing one thing in order to protest. The situation with the farmers could be called a strike since they have stopped production, but for "cacerolazo", protest would be the best. Just a side note, the term "piqueteros" is used as is in English with no translation, mostly referring to Argentina. Hope it helps!

Sara

Originally Posted by kellymellars

Exxcentrica, it sounds like you could be refering to "picketing", and picket lines!
But in this case picket lines are used to stop people from getting into a place. Usually done during a strike, and though meant to be peaceful it could turn violent. What do you think?

Yes, kelly, this is exactly the meaning in Spain. Picket lines, interesting. These people normally are violent.

I don't know in other countries....

I think picket lines and picketing could be good choices.

Well, very interesting!! I would have never imagined "demonstration"... I tend to think a demonstration is like a tupperware meeting, or a play.

Here in Argentina pickets are normally violent too....

Thanks everyone!