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."
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Phil Hughes
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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 :-)
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