Adriana M. López Berríos M.A., English Specialist
Translating texts from one language to another can be tricky, regardless if you’re a professional or just learning a new language. We may feel frustrated or as if we’re sacrificing part of the message, otherwise known as “getting lost in translation”. Moreover, it can make learning a new language challenging, requiring us to understand words through other contexts in order to learn them. However, we must remember that languages are unique, with words and phrases in each language that don’t have exact translations. These words carry more meaning than what is in the dictionary, such as social, emotional, and cultural meanings that are expressed differently depending on the language.
English and Spanish are no exception. Most of the time, as native Spanish speakers, we tend to focus on words that can’t be translated into English, such as “estrenar” or “empalagarse”. However, English also has words that are challenging to translate into Spanish. Some examples include:
To commute
Definition: To travel back and forth regularly (usually referring to work).
Closest Spanish translation: “ir al trabajo” or “desplazarse al trabajo”
Why doesn’t it work 100%: in Spanish “ir” and “deplazarse” refer to movement and then the place must be added, while in English the word “commute” encompasses both concepts in one 7 letter verb.
Toe
Definition: One of the terminal members of the vertebrate foot.
Closest Spanish translation: “dedos de los pies”
Why doesn’t it work 100%: There is no specific word in Spanish to differentiate the digits on our hands, “fingers” from those on our feet, “toes”. They’re all just “dedos” until we specify where they are.
Shoplift
Definition: To steal displayed goods from a store.
Closest Spanish translation: “robar” or “hurtar”
Why doesn’t it work 100%: The Spanish words “robar” and “hurtar” are closer to the general term ‘to steal’ in English. However, shoplifting is more specific as it only refers to stealing from stores.
Insight
Definition: The act or result of grasping the inner nature of things or of seeing intuitively.
Closest Spanish translation: “percepción” or “perspicacia”
Why doesn’t it work 100%: These Spanish words are similar in meaning in that they refer to knowledge, but they are more connected with understanding things that we can see, while insight relies more on intuitive understanding.
Wanderlust
Definition: A strong longing for or impulse toward wandering.
Closest Spanish translation: “deseo de viajar”
Why doesn’t it work 100%: Besides it being a phrase and not a single word. This translation lacks part of the deep sentiment of being passionate about exploration that the English word conveys.
Glitch
Definition: A minor, usually technological, malfunction.
Possible Spanish translation: “pequeño problema técnico” o “pequeña falla técnica”
Why doesn’t it work 100%: Considering that a lot of minor technical issues could be considered a glitch, these phrases translate the concept well. However, they would require more explanations in Spanish than in English. For example, a graphics glitch would be translated as “un pequeño problema técnico con las gráficas”
While it is frustrating that these and other words don’t have direct translations, it should serve only as a reminder that languages are inherently arbitrary, complex, and intrinsically linked to its speakers, their history, and their culture. What we should do is continue to learn, expand our cultural knowledge, and find creative ways to express these concepts.
We want to hear from you: Have you had any experiences with translation? How did you handle idiomatic words and/or phrases that didn’t have a direct translation?
Let us know in the comments section.
meta[lenguaje] 
Deja un comentario