Ya Estan Los Votos
May 25th, 2008 by Phil Hughes
On NicaLiving.com I brought up language translation issues. (It has to do with Spanish/English, but for you geeks, just pretend it is about C++ or Perl or something.) My wife asked me what "The votes are in!" on the cover of the current LJ meant (in Spanish).
Well, I took a stab at it and, since then, others have talked about it. The main point is that word-for-word translations suck (in any language including Perl).
So, what is "Ya, estan los votos", literally. "Already, they are the votes."
__________________________
Phil Hughes
Special Magazine Offer -- Free Gift with Subscription
Receive a free digital copy of Linux Journal's System Administration Special Edition as well as instant online access to current and past issues. CLICK HERE for offer
Linux Journal: delivering readers the advice and inspiration they need to get the most out of their Linux systems since 1994.
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
Facebook
Post to TwitterSubscribe now!
The Latest
Newsletter
Tech Tip Videos
Recently Popular
From the Magazine
December 2009, #188
If last month's Infrastrucuture issue was too "big" for you then try on this month's Embedded issue. Find out how to use Player for programming mobile robots, build a humidity controller for your root cellar, find out how to reduce the boot time of your embedded system, and if you're new to embedded systems find out the basics that go into one. You can also read about the Beagle Board, the Mesh Potato and a spate of other interestingly named items. And along with our regular columns don't miss our new monthly column: Economy Size Geek.
Mechanism beyond the slogans
On September 20th, 2008 AlexBen (not verified) says:
Must be found, then, the emotional mechanism celeb beyond the slogans and themes of campaign-making click! Mobilize the fifa 2010 indifferent, those who fear, the disillusioned, the fatigued, those who have no hope.
hekimboard
On September 18th, 2008 merhaba (not verified) says:
thanks.İt is very nice word.
Translate the Idea?
On May 25th, 2008 FredR says:
Perhaps a better approach would have been to translate the idea ... like "Finally, the votes have arrived!" or "Everyone has voted, here's the results!". I understand the English version was used for brevity and it would fit nicely on the front cover.
I've taken Spanish in school for years, and I always thought it odd, that in English we ask literally "What is your name" to which a response is "My name is XYZ".
Spanish speakers will say "What are you called" and "I am called XYZ". I thought it strange when I first learned the verb for calling someone on the phone was the same verb for asking someone their name.
__________________________-- FLR or flrichar is a superfan of Linux Journal, and goofs around in the LJ IRC Channel
Interesting analysis on the
On May 29th, 2008 Anonymous (not verified) says:
Interesting analysis on the naming issue. It reminds me of the difference between English and Spanish regarding decisions. In English you "make" a decision or make a choice. In Spanish you "take" a decision. I guess the idea is that you choose from different alternatives, hence you "pick" or "take" an option.
I would literally translate "Ya estás los votos" to "The votes are ready".
Cheers.
Well, your name may be
On May 26th, 2008 toxicafunk (not verified) says:
Well, your name may be 'Javier' but you call yourself (or rather present yourself) as Javi, so I guess this way is more flexible.
Minor details
On May 27th, 2008 Gabriel Menini (not verified) says:
Actually, in Spanish it's "¡Ya están los votos!" with the á emphasized and the thwo exlamation marks --yep, Spanish the only language in the world using a starting exclamation and question marks :-)
Post new comment