Do you think that a translator living in Spain could do a good job translating a text from English into Latin American Spanish? Some translators say that they can translate in both variants (with a little research).
Oana
Printable View
Do you think that a translator living in Spain could do a good job translating a text from English into Latin American Spanish? Some translators say that they can translate in both variants (with a little research).
Oana
I think this would be possible if the Spanish translator has lived in Latin American countries, if not I would find it rather difficult to accomplish.
Thank you for the answer! :) one more question ... which is the main difference? is it the grammar, the spelling, the vocabulary...
Oana
Hi oana, the difference shows in many things: vocabulary, use of voseo, use of certain terms...
No, I believe the grammar is more or less the same, as the rules are the same in Spanish everywhere. With the possible exception of Argentina, as the verb is conjugated in a completely different way. I do not think this would be acceptable in a translation for Spain.
Anyway, wait for our American friends, let's see what their opinion is.
I think it's possible to do it, the grammar is quite the same, except for the use of "vos" instead of "tu" which Argentinians already know we shouldn't use it.
BUT (there's always a but...)
What would be a very good idea is to work together, for example, Exx you proofread my translation and I proofread yours! I usually do that with and native Australian friend, when he has problems with his Spanish I proofread his work and the other way round...
Hope it helps!
Mem, does that mean you cannot use the voseo and the conjugation of the verb mentioned above in translations? I thought that was a fact. I am surprised. So only "standard Spanish" may be used??
"Standard spanish" for Spain or any other country of Latin America, of course. Argentinians are the only ones who use the voseo. On the other hand if I make a translation for an Argentinian client I use the voseo, no problem at all. Get it?Quote:
Originally Posted by exxcéntrica
Best regards,
Hi, Oana:
In my opinion, the translator should translate an English text into the Spanish register he or she is used to, because if not, any attempt to immitate other usage of Spanish would sound far-fetched or, at least, artificial. Imagine a Mexican translator trying to reproduce the Spanish from Madrid, for instante. Personally, I wouldn't even try to do that, because there are a lot of terms, idioms and even slang words known to the people from Madrid that few others know how to use.
Yes, the grammar is practically the same both sides of the Atlantic, but the exceptions are many. For instance, Guatemalans use the "voseo" in a different way than Argentinians do, Mem, and, as far as I know, Uruguayans and Chileans also use the "voseo", only I don't know if they use it exactly as Argentinians do.
I remember a character in Terenci Moix's Garras de Astracán. He, a Spanish author, presented in his novel a Mexican character, a very talkative woman. Her dialogues seemed very artificial to me, every time I read them I thought "We don't speak that way". That's the danger of using a register you're not used to, that is to say, of trying to imitate the form of speech of people from a country which is not yours.
As a conclusion, I would do as Mem suggests: write as an Argentinian, but if your not from Argentina, before publishing your work, ask an Argentinian to proofread your work and make it sound as natural as possible. The same goes to every Spanish variation. Otherwise, better stick to standard Spanish.
Saludos.
Carlos Roberto, very true. It always depends on the market you are writing for and also on the client.
I remember a funny story , a very good friend had to translate "mobile holder" and we suggested a lot except the one whe was obliged to use by the client: mobil-teniente. Jesus!!!
I would be quite unable to write for the Argentinian market, I am sure. I have also seen that Mexicans use a sometimes so different vocabulary that I think, answering the poster's question, it would be difficult indeed for a Spanish person to write a good translation for the Mexican market or the Argentinian one.
Very interesting! Thank you for all the answers :)
Have a lovely weekend!!:)
Oana
Hola exxcéntrica :)
First of all, interesting discussion here.
So, which latin American spanish is closer to spanish spoken in espana?
Which spanish should i learn to be able to communicate with spanish
speaking individuals no matter where they from? :confused:
Let me answer your question, waiting for exxcéntrica to answer when she can.Quote:
Originally Posted by youwho
I think the problem is not where you learn Spanish, but where and with whom you have the opportunity to practice it. No matter you learn Spanish in México, if the only persons you can practice it are from Spain, the variety of Spanish you'll end up mastering will be the Spanish one.
But then again, this is only a theory, for after learning English, I've really never practiced conversation with English native speakers, for I've found a bit difficult to get in touch with English native speakers in my city.
I hope my opinion clears your doubt.
Saludos
Closest in vocabulary probably Mexicans, who speak "post cervantino" Spanish even though some words differ substantially. In correction, probably Colombia.
Not in pronunciation though. Argentinians probably the most different together with Puerto Ricans and Dominicans and Cubans (spoken language).
I think the best place to learn is Spain, because Spanish here is like sort of the origin of all the Spanish spoken and Castillian is definitely the best. The best place in Spain is also important: Castilla y León, Madrid and CAstilla la Mancha. In other areas you might get the local language, too.
thanks a lot carlos..i got your point.Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlosRoberto
and by the way, your english is great.
thanks a lot for the reply and for the info. that was helpful :)Quote:
Originally Posted by exxcéntrica
you see..i live in the u.s and i really wanna learn spanish..and that's because i love the language and the culture as well. i was thinking of starting out by learning spanish in FL then probably travel to spain or latin america to learn the real stuff. that's when i have the $$$ to do so of course.
anyhow, thanks a lot :)
Spanish is like English. If you learn English in Canada you will be able to speak to anyone in England, US, Australia and so on. Only the accent will change and some words. A Brit can understand a Canadian a Canadian an Australian an so on. So the same goes for A Guatemalan speaking spanish to a Colombian or Spaniar!!! Just the accent changes and some words.
You living in the states gives you a great oportunity. As you can learn nutral spanish and go out and practice with so many different countries. In Florida I know you have, Cuban, Mexicans, Guatemalans.......for starters....you can practice your spanish with them and learn each individual variances.Quote:
Originally Posted by youwho
i see your point.Quote:
Originally Posted by chapinrico
thanks for the reply.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mem286
I don't know about that in Central America we use Vos too.
Saludos.
A.
Very nice discussion here!!!! A lot to learn!!
I'm an Argentine translator, and sometimes I talk to friends from Spain of Latin America to ask for some advice whenever I come across a word that I don't know, for example...
I would like to suggest this very interesting article about "voseo" that a coworker wrote a couple of months ago.
http://blog-de-traduccion.trustedtra...009-01-07.html
Lots of comments and opinions!
Enjoy and hope you like it!!!