Spanish word of the day
January 15th, 2012 at 8:43:39 AM
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Quote: WizardThat seems to be one definition, but I don't concede that I'm wrong either.
Maybe in South America or Spain. In Mexico you're wrong.
But then them foreigners use our language funny. For example, a "torta" is a sandwich made with a kind of roll. In other countries it means "cake." I think I've mentioned this before.
Point is if you are in Mexico and ask for buñuelos at, say, Krispy Kreme, they'll tell you they don't have any.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 15th, 2012 at 9:43:00 AM
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Quote: NareedFor example, a "torta" is a sandwich made with a kind of roll. In other countries it means "cake." I think I've mentioned this before.
Here too. However, I tend to think they use two slices of bread, put whatever between them, and then cook it.
Quote:Point is if you are in Mexico and ask for buñuelos at, say, Krispy Kreme, they'll tell you they don't have any.
I'll whip out my dictionary and correct them.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 15th, 2012 at 10:24:29 AM
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Quote: WizardHere too. However, I tend to think they use two slices of bread, put whatever between them, and then cook it.
A torta uses a kind of roll called bolillo or telera. It can have a hard or soft crust. Ideally they're made warm on a griddle. Some places make them cold.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 15th, 2012 at 10:15:33 PM
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So of course, I had to ask the Argentinian (my fiance).
She overheard me say bunuelo, and mentioned you guys should check out masitas dulces.....
She says they look like this in the stores.
And these are her two favorites:
Alfajores con dulce de leche y coco (coconut)
Dulce de leche masitas dulces con cereza
She overheard me say bunuelo, and mentioned you guys should check out masitas dulces.....
She says they look like this in the stores.
And these are her two favorites:
Alfajores con dulce de leche y coco (coconut)
Dulce de leche masitas dulces con cereza
January 15th, 2012 at 11:49:37 PM
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Quote: YoDiceRoll11She overheard me say bunuelo, and mentioned you guys should check out masitas dulces.....
They look wonderful. But masitas are pastries , and dulces masitas are "sweet pastries". A buñuelo involves fried dough (in whatever shape) which can be sweetened with powdered sugar. I don't think your fiancee was saying "masitas" and " buñuelo" are interchangeable words.
A Mexican torta served with cebollas or delicous grilled onions.
January 15th, 2012 at 11:54:25 PM
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Quote: pacomartinI don't think your fiancee was saying "masitas" and " buñuelo" are interchangeable words.
I should have been more clear. Yes, you are correct! She was just mentioning them as a side thing. The bunuelos made her think of the masitas. They are definitely not the same.
January 16th, 2012 at 2:22:34 AM
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Fecha: 16 de Enero, 2011
Palabaras: Tiempo, Clima
Sorry to change the topic, but it is a new day. Today we have two related words. As I understand it:
Tiempo = Weather/Time
Clima = Climate
Before going further, I think it would be good to review the English meanings of these words. As I understand it, weather is the kind of expected variance seen on a daily basis in temperature, wind, rain, etc.. Meanwhile, climate is more of what to expect on a long-term basis. For example, I might say "The weather is hot today." I might also say "Hawaii has a tropical climate."
Now, let me introduce the lovely Leticia Castro. Every weekday I switch away from The Big Bang Theory at about 6:18 P.M. to catch the weather on Univision Channel 15. The official reason in my house is that I'm trying to improve my Spanish. However, I must confess that the weather girl has something to do with it. Okay, she has todo to do with it.
To get back on topic, you can see the identify her segment as Tiempo in the video, but Clima on the web site. You can also hear her saying clima in the video, but my Spanish isn't good enough to make out the whole sentence. This brings up the question whether tiempo and clima are interchangeable in Spanish. Or, am I right above that clima means climate. In which case, don't you think the web site is using the word incorrectly, since the show is reporting on the day to day conditions. Everybody already knows what the Vegas climate is like.
Ejemplos time
Debes ponerse un abrigo en este tiempo. = You better put on a coat in this weather.
¿Crees que la clima está cambiando? = Do you believe the climate is changing?
Palabaras: Tiempo, Clima
Sorry to change the topic, but it is a new day. Today we have two related words. As I understand it:
Tiempo = Weather/Time
Clima = Climate
Before going further, I think it would be good to review the English meanings of these words. As I understand it, weather is the kind of expected variance seen on a daily basis in temperature, wind, rain, etc.. Meanwhile, climate is more of what to expect on a long-term basis. For example, I might say "The weather is hot today." I might also say "Hawaii has a tropical climate."
Now, let me introduce the lovely Leticia Castro. Every weekday I switch away from The Big Bang Theory at about 6:18 P.M. to catch the weather on Univision Channel 15. The official reason in my house is that I'm trying to improve my Spanish. However, I must confess that the weather girl has something to do with it. Okay, she has todo to do with it.
To get back on topic, you can see the identify her segment as Tiempo in the video, but Clima on the web site. You can also hear her saying clima in the video, but my Spanish isn't good enough to make out the whole sentence. This brings up the question whether tiempo and clima are interchangeable in Spanish. Or, am I right above that clima means climate. In which case, don't you think the web site is using the word incorrectly, since the show is reporting on the day to day conditions. Everybody already knows what the Vegas climate is like.
Ejemplos time
Debes ponerse un abrigo en este tiempo. = You better put on a coat in this weather.
¿Crees que la clima está cambiando? = Do you believe the climate is changing?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 16th, 2012 at 7:57:26 AM
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Quote: WizardBefore going further, I think it would be good to review the English meanings of these words. As I understand it, weather is the kind of expected variance seen on a daily basis in temperature, wind, rain, etc.. Meanwhile, climate is more of what to expect on a long-term basis.
Another question in English is why do we use the same basic root word for long term average of weather <<climate>> as we use for <<climb>> and for <<climax>>. What is the common denominator? (good science question)
As near as I can tell in Mexico the two words <<tiempo>> and <<clima>> are interchangeable in most speech, but if you label a website <<tiempo>> you can't immediately tell if it is about weather or time since you don't have an immediate context.
There must be a standard phrase in spanish to indicate when you are using the English version of climate. As one dictionary defines it, climate is the average weather over a period of a minimum of 30 years and possibly much longer.
January 16th, 2012 at 8:29:05 AM
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Quote: pacomartinAnother question in English is why do we use the same basic root word for long term average of weather <<climate>> as we use for <<climb>> and for <<climax>>. What is the common denominator? (good science question)
It seems pretty obvious that clim means to to go up, or perhaps the summit itself. I'd love to have a dictionary to help with questions like this.
Quote: pacomartinAs near as I can tell in Mexico the two words <<tiempo>> and <<clima>> are interchangeable in most speech.
It would seem that way from Univision. How did they handle the Spanish subtitles in the movie An Inconvenient Truth?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 16th, 2012 at 11:48:44 AM
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Quote: WizardIt seems pretty obvious that clim means to to go up, or perhaps the summit itself. I'd love to have a dictionary to help with questions like this.
It would seem that way from Univision. How did they handle the Spanish subtitles in the movie An Inconvenient Truth?
The root Greek word κλίμα (klima) meant region, zone, originally slope . It would make sense that people who lived in Europe would be unaware of the climatic changes associated with the Tibetan plateau, or the deserts of the world, or the places subject to tropical climates and rainstorms. In Europe, for the most part (with exceptions like the Alps), climate was associated with your latitude. If you change latitude, it changes the angle of the sun's rays. So different regions were associated with different angles of the sun's rays, which determined the length of the day and the "climate".
Today, we are familiar with a much broader range of the world. I've been on small islands in the Caribbean with tropical rain-forest only a few miles from deserts with cacti. The term <<micro-climate>> is much more widely used in Western USA. Plus we know a lot more about variations over time. Big changes are the "little ice age", other results from Volcanic activity, manmade global warming, and "el nino". We know that the gulf stream makes parts of Europe much warmer than parts of North America at the same latitude. So we only loosely associate climate with latitude or the incline angle of the sun's rays (or the height of the sun overhead in the sky).
Wikipedia: Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre el Cambio Climático.
In all but two cases the articles uses <<climático>> for climatic. The only two cases where they use <<clima>> it is clear that they are talking about weather, and not <<climate>>.
January 16th, 2012 at 8:34:59 PM
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Quote: WizardThis brings up the question whether tiempo and clima are interchangeable in Spanish. Or, am I right above that clima means climate.
Yes.
How Vorlon of me :)
Seriously: yes. 1) they are interchangeable and 2) "Clima" means "climate."
If you wanted to draw a distinction between habitually cold and warm places, you'd speak of "lugares con clima frio y lugares con clima cálido." If you wanted to be a global warming alarmist, you'd speak of "cambio climático" the better to fool people and such.
But when you turn to the weather on TV, it can be called "reporte del clima" or "reporte del tiempo," for example, indistinctly.
Quote:Debes ponerse un abrigo en este tiempo. = You better put on a coat in this weather.
"Debes ponerTE un abrigo CON este tiempo" = "you HAD better put on a coat in this weather."
Quote:¿Crees que la clima está cambiando? = Do you believe the climate is changing?
Ah, your old enemy: the gender of nouns. It's actually "EL clima."
Trivia: In the north of Mexico, "clima" is a word for air conditioning. In Monterrey, for instance, which gets really hot in the summer, you'll see cabs with A/C sporting a noticeable sign painted on the sign saying "Con Clima."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 17th, 2012 at 10:38:18 AM
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Quote: NareedAh, your old enemy: the gender of nouns. It's actually "EL clima."
¿Por qué? I submit the following suggestion to the Academia Real de Español. It should be optional to use la for any noun ending in a, and el for any noun ending in o. So, for words like clima, where el is considered right, that la also be accepted. ¿Firmas mi petición?
Quote: NareedTrivia: In the north of Mexico, "clima" is a word for air conditioning. In Monterrey, for instance, which gets really hot in the summer, you'll see cabs with A/C sporting a noticeable sign painted on the sign saying "Con Clima."
They should do that in Buenos Aires. Many of the cabs there either didn't have air conditioning, the driver chose not to turn it on, or the air conditioner was very feeble.
Fecha: 17 de Enero, 2012
Palabras: Tardar, Durar
Tardar means to take, in particular an amount of time. You might be asking at this time, how does that differ from durar? I think that durar is closer to how long something lasts.
Ejemplos time.
Ella tarda mucho tiempo por preparar. = She takes a long time to get ready.
Mi paciencia no dura mucho tiempo esperando por ella. = My patience does not last long waiting for her.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 17th, 2012 at 11:15:28 AM
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Quote: Wizard¿Por qué? I submit the following suggestion to the Academia Real de Español. It should be optional to use la for any noun ending in a, and el for any noun ending in o. So, for words like clima, where el is considered right, that la also be accepted. ¿Firmas mi petición?
Here is a list of the most common exceptions to the "masculine o, feminine a" rule:
masculine nouns that end in 'a'
el clima climate
el aroma aroma
el Canadá Canada
el día day
el diagrama diagram
el dilema dilemma
el diploma diploma
el drama drama
el enigma enigma
el esquema outline, diagram
el idioma language
el mapa map
el morfema morpheme
el panorama panorama, outlook
el poema poem
el planeta planet
el problema problem
el programa program
el quechua Quechua language
el reuma, el reúma rheumatism
el síntoma symptom, sign
el sistema system
el sofá sofa
el tanga G-string
el telegrama telegram
el tema theme, subject
el teorema theorem
el tranvía streetcar
nouns with masculine and feminine meanings
el cura priest (but la cura, cure)
el papa the pope (but la papa, potato)
el cólera cholera (but la cólera, anger)
el cometa comet (but la cometa, kite)
nouns with masculine or feminine articles depending on gender of person - default masculine
el policía policeman (but la policía, police force or policewoman)
el guardia policeman or male guard (but la guardia, vigilance)
el guía male guide (but la guía, guidebook or female guide)
el idiota male idiot (but la idiota, female idiot)
el indígena indigenous male (but la indígena, indigenous female)
nouns with masculine or feminine articles depending on gender of person - default feminine
la modelo female model (but el modelo, male model)
la testigo female witness (but el testigo, male witness)
la reo female criminal (but el reo, male criminal)
la soprano female soprano (but el soprano, male soprano)
nouns with feminine articles but involving common abbreviations
la moto motorcycle (short for la motocicleta)
la disco disco (short for la discoteca)
la foto photo (short for la fotografía)
la radio radio (short for la radiodifusión; but el radio, radius or radium; usage of the feminine form depends on the region)
As with other nouns denoting body parts, the definite article <<la>> is used to express ones own hand
la mano hand
January 18th, 2012 at 7:02:11 AM
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Quote: Wizard¿Por qué?
I don't know.
Quote:I submit the following suggestion to the Academia Real de Español. It should be optional to use la for any noun ending in a, and el for any noun ending in o. So, for words like clima, where el is considered right, that la also be accepted. ¿Firmas mi petición?
I would, but most people are used to how things are and won't want to change.
Take Paco's laundry list. no one in mexico who's not on broadcasting ever says "LA" radio. Those who do are considered pompous and pedantic.
Quote:They should do that in Buenos Aires. Many of the cabs there either didn't have air conditioning, the driver chose not to turn it on, or the air conditioner was very feeble.
Not every cab in Monterrey does, either. But those that ahve AC advertise it. It's funny when you're there in January, freezing on a street waiting for someone, and see all these cabs drive past advetising "clima" :) But then Monterrey has two types of weather: too hot and too cold. The joke is that it has the world's most constant climate: it always sucks.
I could go on.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 18th, 2012 at 7:50:59 AM
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Quote: NareedNo one in mexico who's not on broadcasting ever says "LA" radio. Those who do are considered pompous and pedantic
It's funny to read a statement like that. To an English speaker there is no social connotation to using the masculine or feminine. We just want to know which is the correct article.
It is sort of like while. In the USA we say "while", "awhile", "meanwhile" and sometimes the little more old fashioned "while away" or "whiled". But in the USA if you say whilst you are often considered pompous and pedantic. Meanwhile in Britain they say whilst all the time.
There is no logical reason for this distinction. It's just how the two different cultures evolved.
January 18th, 2012 at 7:56:43 AM
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Quote: pacomartinIt's funny to read a statement like that. To an English speaker there is no social connotation to using the masculine or feminine. We just want to know which is the correct article.
That's not saying much, considering there is but one article to worry about: "the"
On the other hand, you have the "it" problem with pronouns.
Quote:There is no logical reason for this distinction. It's just how the two different cultures evolved.
Sure. Two people separated by a common language and all that :)
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 18th, 2012 at 1:02:58 PM
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Quote: WizardTardar means to take, in particular an amount of time. You might be asking at this time, how does that differ from durar? I think that durar is closer to how long something lasts.
More or less. Durar means something more akin to duration.
Quote:Ella tarda mucho tiempo por preparar. = She takes a long time to get ready.
"Ella tarda mucho tiempo EN prepararse," or "Ella tarda mucho tiempo en estar lista."
Quote:Mi paciencia no dura mucho tiempo esperando por ella. = My patience does not last long waiting for her.
In this case "tiempo" is redundant. And it's "esperÁNDOLA," or "esperando A ella."
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 18th, 2012 at 1:34:21 PM
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It is 1:15pm PST and no SWOTD yet!?!?
I'll do one!
Fecha: 18 de Enero, 2012
Palabra: Baboso/a
Noun
A Baboso is a male that tends to be all over the opposite sex (this can be applied to women to, babosa). It can me a skirt chaser, a guy who is always looking to pick up a girl at a bar or casino. It could be a drunk individual at a blackjack table that hits on every woman there, not sloppily though. It is used primarily as slang in Argentina but can also be found in use in Uruguay.
Ejemplo: Esto baboso esta alli, jaja, tiene no suerte esta noche, que tanto. = This drooly guy over there, he isn't having any luck tonight, what an idiot.
I'll do one!
Fecha: 18 de Enero, 2012
Palabra: Baboso/a
Noun
A Baboso is a male that tends to be all over the opposite sex (this can be applied to women to, babosa). It can me a skirt chaser, a guy who is always looking to pick up a girl at a bar or casino. It could be a drunk individual at a blackjack table that hits on every woman there, not sloppily though. It is used primarily as slang in Argentina but can also be found in use in Uruguay.
Ejemplo: Esto baboso esta alli, jaja, tiene no suerte esta noche, que tanto. = This drooly guy over there, he isn't having any luck tonight, what an idiot.
January 18th, 2012 at 3:18:10 PM
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Quote: YoDiceRoll11A Baboso is a male that tends to be all over the opposite sex (this can be applied to women to, babosa). It can me a skirt chaser, a guy who is always looking to pick up a girl at a bar or casino. It could be a drunk individual at a blackjack table that hits on every woman there, not sloppily though. It is used primarily as slang in Argentina but can also be found in use in Uruguay.
Ejemplo: Esto baboso esta alli, jaja, tiene no suerte esta noche, que tanto. = This drooly guy over there, he isn't having any luck tonight, what an idiot.
DRAE definition Enamoradizo y rendidamente obsequioso con las mujeres.
The dictionary definition seems a little different than yours. The DRAE seems to be describing someone who is "pussy-whipped" for want of a better term. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time that a dictionary definition of colloquial term wasn't quite right.
I am not sure I understand the "not sloppily" comment. Anything that involves excessive <<drool>> sounds pretty sloppy to me. Maybe I don't quite get the context.
January 18th, 2012 at 4:09:03 PM
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For what it's worth, I got the term from my fiance (From Argentina). She says it isn't used like you described above. I guess it depends on the region.
Hehehe. With the not sloppily, I meant that guys that aren't completely wasted. Wasted dudes have another name. This is to imply a guy, after a few drinks, or not, that is constantly chasing tail or just really getting close to other chicks at a bar or casino. Maybe forget I mentioned drool.
In my example I should have used a different word:
There isn't really a good single english word to translate it to. At least not that I can think of right now.
Cheers.
Hehehe. With the not sloppily, I meant that guys that aren't completely wasted. Wasted dudes have another name. This is to imply a guy, after a few drinks, or not, that is constantly chasing tail or just really getting close to other chicks at a bar or casino. Maybe forget I mentioned drool.
In my example I should have used a different word:
Quote:This baboso over there, he isn't having any luck tonight, what an idiot.
There isn't really a good single english word to translate it to. At least not that I can think of right now.
Cheers.
January 18th, 2012 at 5:08:59 PM
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Quote: YoDiceRoll11Maybe forget I mentioned drool.
No, drool is the correct word. Que echa muchas babas. I was not questioning the translation, but I was just wondering if a person who drools a lot is not considered sloppy, then what do you have to do to be a sloppy drunk?
January 18th, 2012 at 5:14:23 PM
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Quote: pacomartinNo, drool is the correct word. Que echa muchas babas. I was not questioning the translation, but I was just wondering if a person who drools a lot is not considered sloppy, then what do you have to do to be a sloppy drunk?
A sloppy drunk is a guy trying to hit on girls that has "lost his touch". He goes from trying to be witty with semi-decent pick up lines to just completely wasted and sloppy. You gotta have technique, and too much alcohol, ruins that technique and makes one sloppy. That's what I meant.
If a person is literally drooling....than they are definitely sloppy.
January 18th, 2012 at 8:07:41 PM
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Quote: YoDiceRoll11A Baboso is a male that tends to be all over the opposite sex (this can be applied to women to, babosa).
In Mexico it means either a slug or a dumb jerk.
Close enough.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 19th, 2012 at 9:17:28 PM
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SWD bruto = gross.
Loca (Loca)
No te pongas bruto
Loca.
Que te la bebe'
Dance or Die (Loca)
El está por mi y por ti borró
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí.
El está por mi
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí.
Ella se hace la bruta pa' cotizar
Conmigo en frente ella se hace la gata en celo contigo
Te cotorrea el oído pa' tenerte en alta
Ella muere por ti pero por mi es que matas.
Sigo tranquila como una paloma de e'quina
Mientras ella se pasa en su BM al lado mío
Yo de aquí no me voy, se que está por mí
Y ninguna va poder quitármelo de un tirón
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Soy Loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
El está por mí
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí
El está por mí
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí
Mientras ella te complace con todos tus caprichos
Yo te llevo al malecón por un caminito
Me dicen que tu novia anda con un rifle
Porque me vio bailando mambo pa' ti
¿Qué no lo permite?
Yo no tengo la culpa de que tú te enamore'
Mientras él te compra flores yo compro condo' (whooo)
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Cuanto ma rrayas mejor y mira, eso es lo que dicen
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Soy Loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Dios mio! (ah)
Se colán lo ra-ta-ta
No te ponga' bruto
Que te la bebe
Loca (Loca)
Loca
El está por mi
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tu tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Soy Loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Loca (Loca)
No te pongas bruto
Loca.
Que te la bebe'
Dance or Die (Loca)
El está por mi y por ti borró
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí.
El está por mi
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí.
Ella se hace la bruta pa' cotizar
Conmigo en frente ella se hace la gata en celo contigo
Te cotorrea el oído pa' tenerte en alta
Ella muere por ti pero por mi es que matas.
Sigo tranquila como una paloma de e'quina
Mientras ella se pasa en su BM al lado mío
Yo de aquí no me voy, se que está por mí
Y ninguna va poder quitármelo de un tirón
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Soy Loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
El está por mí
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí
El está por mí
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tú tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí
Mientras ella te complace con todos tus caprichos
Yo te llevo al malecón por un caminito
Me dicen que tu novia anda con un rifle
Porque me vio bailando mambo pa' ti
¿Qué no lo permite?
Yo no tengo la culpa de que tú te enamore'
Mientras él te compra flores yo compro condo' (whooo)
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Cuanto ma rrayas mejor y mira, eso es lo que dicen
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Soy Loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Dios mio! (ah)
Se colán lo ra-ta-ta
No te ponga' bruto
Que te la bebe
Loca (Loca)
Loca
El está por mi
Y por ti borró (borró)
Y eso que tu tienes to'
Y yo ni un Kikí
Yo soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
Loca, Loca, Loca
Soy loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
Soy Loca con mi tigre
(Loca, Loca, Loca)
January 19th, 2012 at 9:19:33 PM
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Finally upgraded my ride to one with a CD player. Wife and I would like to learn Spanish. Am considering Rosetta Stone program on CDs. Any comments ?
January 19th, 2012 at 10:24:22 PM
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Quote: buzzpaffFinally upgraded my ride to one with a CD player. Wife and I would like to learn Spanish. Am considering Rosetta Stone program on CDs. Any comments ?
Bad review from one of Rosetta's competitors. The 20 year old Rosetta is easily the most heavily marketed computer-assisted language learning (CALL) program in the country, and it is not surprising that a competitor would be critical. But it's worth reading anyway.
January 20th, 2012 at 5:44:18 AM
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Quote: buzzpaffFinally upgraded my ride to one with a CD player. Wife and I would like to learn Spanish. Am considering Rosetta Stone program on CDs. Any comments ?
I shouldn't comment on Rosetta because I never tried it. I've been tempted, but I don't know what level to start at. I did enjoy Bueno, entonces. However, that product is to be used on a computer.
Fecha: 20 de Enero, 2012
Palabra: arándano
Sorry for ignoring the thread. I was in Laughlin for a couple days. Nice list of el/la exceptions, Paco.
Today's SWD means blueberry.
Ejemplo time
¿Por qué los llaman los arándanos? A mí, los veo morado. = Why do they call them blueberries? They look purple to me.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 20th, 2012 at 6:51:34 AM
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Quote: WizardFecha: 20 de Enero, 2012
Palabra: arándano
Sorry for the the tardy reply. I was in Laughlin for a couple days. Nice list of el/la exceptions, Paco.
Today's SWD means blueberry.
That made me blink and rub my eyes...
Berries are a complicated tranlsation problem. In Spanish they're not grouped by name the way they are in English. Now, I don't know what blueberry translates as, but "arándano" is cranberry, the one which seems to be around only at Thanksgiving.
Quote:¿Por qué los llaman los arándanos? A mí, los veo morado. = Why do they call them blueberries? They look purple to me.
"A mi ME PARECEN moradoS" or "YO LOS VEO moradoS."
Anyway, the phrase doesn't make sense. Whatever the meaning, "arándano" contains no reference to color. Here's a reverse nonsense phrase: "Por que le llaman café. Yo lo veo negro." = "Why do they call it coffee? It looks black to me."
See?
So how about some homework? Find the English words for the following berries:
Fresa
Grosella
Frambuesa
Zarzamora
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January 20th, 2012 at 7:04:44 AM
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Quote: Wizard¿Por qué los llaman los arándanos? A mí, los veo morado. = Why do they call them blueberries? They look purple to me.
From the DRAE definition
Planta de color blanco verdoso o rosado, y por frutos bayas negruzcas o azuladas, dulces y comestibles.
Plant of color white, greenish or pink, and with berries blackish or bluish, sweet and edible.
I am not sure your statement works as well in Spanish. The name of the berry does not include the color "blue" or "azul".
January 20th, 2012 at 7:13:07 AM
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I looked up blueberry in an online dictionary, and it did come upw ith arándano. Problem is I also looked up cranberry, and the answer was aránadano.
So I will cite experience, again:
1) dehydrated cranberries are sold at the local Costco as "arándanos secos."
2) cranberry juice is sold as "jugo de aránadano."
3) we sell a cereal bar with cranberries and is listed in the catalog as "barra de amaranto y cereales con arándanos." We also had one with blueberries. That one was listed as "barra de cereales con mora azul."
I rest my case :)
So I will cite experience, again:
1) dehydrated cranberries are sold at the local Costco as "arándanos secos."
2) cranberry juice is sold as "jugo de aránadano."
3) we sell a cereal bar with cranberries and is listed in the catalog as "barra de amaranto y cereales con arándanos." We also had one with blueberries. That one was listed as "barra de cereales con mora azul."
I rest my case :)
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January 20th, 2012 at 8:25:08 AM
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Quote: NareedNow, I don't know what blueberry translates as, but "arándano" is cranberry, the one which seems to be around only at Thanksgiving.
You later admitted that arándano also means blueberry. However, there must be some way to distinguish the two. For example, if a restaurant has pastel de arándano on the menu how would you know whether it is cranberry or blueberry pie?
Quote:Anyway, the phrase doesn't make sense. Whatever the meaning, "arándano" contains no reference to color.
I thought you might say that. However, if I put "blueberry" in English you would ask where is the SWD in the ejemplo. In that light, perhaps it wasn't the best example, but does illustrate another issue. What would a professional translator do with that sentence?
Such situations happen a lot with the Ramona books, because many stories revolve around misunderstandings based on English homonyms. For example, one chapter revolved around the word present and the ensuing confusion whether it referred to a gift of the current moment in time. The translation in Spanish was very awkward. Another chapter revolved around a similar misunderstanding over the lyrics of the American National Anthem. The Spanish translation had to footnote a lengthy explanation about the English words in it that were pertinent to the plot of the story.
In some easier picture books I have about Olivia the Pig it seems the translator didn't consider the English words at all, and just went off of the pictures. For example, in Olivia Helps with Christmas there is the sentence "Finally the tree was trimmed." However, the picture shows a tree with lots of ornaments on it. The Spanish says El árbol por pin está adornado. I take that to mean, the tree was finally decorated.
While I'm on the topic of that book, I was wondering what this sentence means, Mi amor, todavía falta much para que llegue Santa.
To get further off topic, another children's book I have in Spanish refers to Santa as Papa Noel. How do they refer to him in Mexico? Argentina?
Quote:So how about some homework? Find the English words for the following berries:
Fresa = strawberry (I knew that one)
Grosella:
grosella (roja) -> redcurrant
grosella negra -> blackcurrant
grosella silvestre -> gooseberry (source: http://www.spanishdict.com/translate/Grosella)
Frambuesa = raspberry
Zarzamora = spanishdict.com says blackberry. However I thought the word for blackberry was mora. In fact, that word appears in book I was just referring to, Olivia se prepara para la Navidad.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 20th, 2012 at 9:48:18 AM
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Quote: WizardWhat would a professional translator do with that sentence?
I think that is where we get the expression lost in translation. You either resort to a flat indicative sentence, or you replace it completely with an equivalent wordplay in Spanish.
In looking at gambling websites and possible translation into Spanish, I discovered that in English we often slip back and forth from one definition to another for an English word. For instance look at two possible dictionary definitions of the word odds.
(A) The ratio of the probability of an event's occurring to the probability of its not occurring.
(B) A ratio expressing the amount by which the stake of one bettor differs from that of an opposing bettor.
Definition (A) is by far the meaning most people associate with the word. In craps, if you roll a 4 or a 10 on your come-out roll, then the odds are 2:1 that you will make your point. Definition (A) is clearly being used.
Hot Blonde has set 9:1 odds that she will make her weight goal. Since the "true" probability is unknown, we are using definition (B). Hot Blonde is taking the odds and the other forum member are laying odds.
The difficulty is that sometimes the player mixes the two definitions. If you are on the "Don't Pass" and the come out roll is on the 4, the "odds" bet is $2 to win $1. The payout ratio is from definition (A), but the act of "laying odds" is from definition (B) and refers to betting more money to win less (just like the Hot Blonde bet).
You can see the translation is very difficult. In addition we have other definitions of odd that are closely related to definition (B) of odds. We have <<odd>> numbers and we have <<odd>> people.
January 20th, 2012 at 11:17:00 AM
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Quote: WizardI thought you might say that. However, if I put "blueberry" in English you would ask where is the SWD in the ejemplo. In that light, perhaps it wasn't the best example, but does illustrate another issue. What would a professional translator do with that sentence?
Kill it :)
Seriously, most times, word play cannot be translated, You can translate the meaning, but usually not the double meaning, Exceptions are rare. What i've seen done on TV shows using subtitles, is they substitute a similar pun, or a pun along similar lines. Sometimes it works, sometimes it fails spectacularly.
Quote:Such situations happen a lot with the Ramona books, because many stories revolve around misunderstandings based on English homonyms. For example, one chapter revolved around the word present and the ensuing confusion whether it referred to a gift of the current moment in time. The translation in Spanish was very awkward.
Without knowing the works in question, I find it a bit odd because this may be a rare exception. There are three Spanish words for a gift: regalo, obsequio and presente. The latter also means "present" as in the current moment in time.
Work beckons. more later.
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January 20th, 2012 at 1:32:41 PM
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Quote: NareedWithout knowing the works in question, I find it a bit odd because this may be a rare exception. There are three Spanish words for a gift: regalo, obsequio and presente. The latter also means "present" as in the current moment in time.
(DRAE definition) presente - Obsequio, regalo que alguien da a otra persona en señal de reconocimiento o de afecto.
It's difficult to know why the same word-play doesn't work in Spanish as well as English. My guess is that English speaking children use the word <<present>> more often than the word <<gift>>. So it is easy for them to confuse the two meanings of the word <<present>>.
I assume that Spanish speaking children are more likely to use <<regalo>> instead of <<presente>>. So they are less likely to get the joke based on the double meaning of the word.
I would be curious to hear the translation.
BTW: The word obsequiousness has only negative connotations in English.
January 20th, 2012 at 2:39:11 PM
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Quote: NareedI looked up blueberry in an online dictionary, and it did come upw ith arándano. Problem is I also looked up cranberry, and the answer was aránadano.
Just googling arándano produces an equal number of images of blueberries and cranberries.
The DRAE says that arándano are fruits from the family of Ericales. Unfortunately Ericales is large order of plants containing some 8000 species, including tea, kiwi, blueberries, huckleberries, cranberries, etc.
Perhaps there is some country to country variation in the use of the word.
January 20th, 2012 at 4:14:56 PM
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An entire chapter revolved around the present/present thing. Maybe I was too quick to say the translation was awkward. Let's just drop that.
So, let me get this straight.
There are two words for blackberry: zarzamora y mora.
However cranberry and blueberry have to share arádano.
Is it just me or can anyone else see the inefficiency here? I'm definitely adding this to my list of things to bring up the Acadamia Real de Español.
So, let me get this straight.
There are two words for blackberry: zarzamora y mora.
However cranberry and blueberry have to share arádano.
Is it just me or can anyone else see the inefficiency here? I'm definitely adding this to my list of things to bring up the Acadamia Real de Español.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 20th, 2012 at 5:00:58 PM
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Quote: WizardSo, let me get this straight. There are two words for blackberry: zarzamora y mora. However cranberry and blueberry have to share arádano.
Is it just me or can anyone else see the inefficiency here? I'm definitely adding this to my list of things to bring up the Acadamia Real de Español.
According to Google translate zarzamora could mean blackberry or raspberry and mora could mean blackberry or blueberry. I am just reporting results so don't shoot me.
Blackberry, blueberry, and raspberry are mûre, myrtille, framboise in French; mora, mirtillo, lampone in Italian; amora, mirtilo, framboesa in Portuguese; mure, afine, zmeură in Romanian; and rubus, xxxx, rubus idaeus in Latin. Idaeus means you were from Phrygia or modern day Turkey. Maybe the problem is that there was no Latin word for "blueberries".
Aula Virtual de Español are online courses offered by the Cervantes Institute. $200 On-line course with tutor and $160 On-line course without tutor. Email: classprogram@cervantes.es Tel.: 212 308 7720 ext.3
Maybe you could get your message heard about some of these language inefficiencies.
January 20th, 2012 at 6:04:24 PM
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From usage I'd define "mora" as meaning "berry." The thing is few berries have "mora" in their names. To make matters worse, "morillas," which any reasonable person would take to mean "small or tiny berries," are actually a kind of mushroom or truffle <roll-eyes>.
Languages are often inconsistent <shrug>. you kind of get used to it.
Languages are often inconsistent <shrug>. you kind of get used to it.
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January 20th, 2012 at 6:29:54 PM
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Quote: pacomartinAccording to Google translate zarzamora could mean blackberry or raspberry and mora could mean blackberry or blueberry. I am just reporting results so don't shoot me.
According to SpanishDict.com the only word for raspberry is frambuesa. Speaking of the word raspberry, is the p silent, or am I just lazy in not pronouncing it? That is also on one of my Spanish flash cards.
Quote: pacomartinMaybe you could get your message heard about some of these language inefficiencies.
No, I'm going straight to the top. Whom do I complain to at the Acadamía Real?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 20th, 2012 at 6:32:47 PM
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Quote: WizardNo, I'm going straight to the top. Whom do I complain to at the Acadamía Real?
I guess the top would be the King of Spain.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
January 20th, 2012 at 6:37:30 PM
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It's pronounced "razberry", no "P".
Unless you're talking to a 3 year old, then they're "razpees" or "blazpees", depending if they're red or black, with the "p" pronounced. So says my little guy =)
Unless you're talking to a 3 year old, then they're "razpees" or "blazpees", depending if they're red or black, with the "p" pronounced. So says my little guy =)
The opinions of this moderator are for entertainment purposes only.
January 20th, 2012 at 7:30:48 PM
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Quote: WizardSpeaking of the word raspberry, is the p silent, or am I just lazy in not pronouncing it?
Cases when the silent P is used in English.
(1) Occasionally, as when preceding a syllable beginning with its voiced equivalent b, the sound of p is assimilated, so effectively becoming silent, as in cupboard (cubberd), raspberry (razb(e)ry).
(2) When a word starts with "p" if the word is of Greek derivation before n (pneumonia), s (psalm), t (pterodactyl),
psalm, psalter, pseudo-, psittacosis, psoriasis, psyche, Ptolemy, ptomaine, etc.
(3) The p in receipt should logically be inserted in the words conceit and deceit. They are English variants of the same root Latin word:
recipere = "to receive"
concipere = "to conceive"
decipere = "to deceive"
But when Samuel Johnson's published A Dictionary of the English Language in 1755; it had a far-reaching effect on Modern English. For some reason he left out the silent p in conceit and deceit and it has remained standard spelling ever since.
(4) Silent p occurs in sapphire. MIDDLE ENGLISH spelled it "safir", but it is from a Greek word "sappheiros" meaning "blue stone". The silent p was restored to make it closer to the original Greek.
(5) French loans as corps and coup.
January 20th, 2012 at 8:57:55 PM
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Quote: pacomartinCases when the silent P is used in English....
Is everyone thinking of the same old joke, or is it just me?
January 20th, 2012 at 9:21:49 PM
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Quote: DocIs everyone thinking of the same old joke, or is it just me?
January 20th, 2012 at 9:50:42 PM
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As the expression goes, "Great minds think alike."
Actually, I was thinking of the comment about the spelling/pronunciation of "pneumonia": the p is silent, as in swimming.
Actually, I was thinking of the comment about the spelling/pronunciation of "pneumonia": the p is silent, as in swimming.
January 21st, 2012 at 6:50:12 AM
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Fecha: 21 de Enero, 2012
Palabra: Acaso
Today's SWD means "perhaps." Yes, another one. Add it to the list, along with tal vez and quizás. Of the three I seem to run across tal vez by far the most, although it seems interchangeable with quizas. Acaso seems pretty rare.
A question for the advanced readers would be if there are subtle differences between the three words.
Ejemplo time
Acaso veo una pelicula hoy, si puedo salir trabajo temprano. = Perhaps I will see a movie today, if I can leave work early.
Palabra: Acaso
Today's SWD means "perhaps." Yes, another one. Add it to the list, along with tal vez and quizás. Of the three I seem to run across tal vez by far the most, although it seems interchangeable with quizas. Acaso seems pretty rare.
A question for the advanced readers would be if there are subtle differences between the three words.
Ejemplo time
Acaso veo una pelicula hoy, si puedo salir trabajo temprano. = Perhaps I will see a movie today, if I can leave work early.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 21st, 2012 at 7:57:08 AM
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Quote: WizardAcaso
Acaso from <<de caso>> which might be translated as "perhaps", but it means literally "in case" .
Quizá translated as "perhaps" first and also "maybe"
"tal vez" translated as "perhaps" or "maybe", but more literally "equal time".
January 21st, 2012 at 8:09:50 AM
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Quote: pacomartinQuizá translated as "perhaps" first and also "maybe".
What is the difference between "perhaps" and "maybe"?
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
January 21st, 2012 at 8:36:29 AM
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Quote: WizardWhat is the difference between "perhaps" and "maybe"?
"May be" used it be said "It may be". Or it is possible that "it exists".
"Perhaps" is short for "by chance" . In addition "haps" is the plural of an old word "hap" meaning "chance". It implies that several different chance events need to occur (i.e. a kind of serendipity).
Even though they have different etymologies, most people consider them to be synonyms today. The word "perhaps" is considered slightly more formal, and most often used in British English and in American English.
January 21st, 2012 at 4:24:55 PM
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Quote: Wizard
Today's SWD means "perhaps." Yes, another one. Add it to the list, along with tal vez and quizás. Of the three I seem to run across tal vez by far the most, although it seems interchangeable with quizas. Acaso seems pretty rare.
That's because the dictionary definition is jumbled and mostly worthless. Look it up in the Real Academia. I did. I can't tell you what it means based on that.
Quote:A question for the advanced readers would be if there are subtle differences between the three words.
Yes, that would be a good question ;)
Ejemplo time
Quote:Acaso veo una pelicula hoy, si puedo salir trabajo temprano. = Perhaps I will see a movie today, if I can leave work early.
I think that's right. Except the second part, where it should definitely read "DEL trabajo." Alternatively you could say "salir de trabajar."
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