SPI214 Intro to Translation: Interjections, Expletives, Euphemisms, and Regionalisms

I can't even begin to tell you how many times students have asked me to teach them bad words in class OR how many times students have shared bad words to "learn" what they mean ... really to see my reaction.

Let's get the "teacher" aspect out of the way first...

Interjections and expletives are single words and phrases that are used to express emotional reactions like, fear, excitement, surprise, pain, and anger. Sometimes we use them to add extra force on statements, even though they provide no meaning to sentence. Why are they a problem? Well just like here in the US, many interjections and/or expletives are regionally based... so where Goodnight Louise may be fighting words in one town, it may cause extreme laughter in another. :)

There's so many... I figured we look at this list and discuss it in class.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Category:Spanish_interjections

You didn't think I was going to post "potty mouth" words here... did you? LOL

Euphemisms are softer or gentler words used to replace more offensive or taboo words. 

For example...
mujer pública... "lady of the evening"
daños colaterales... "civilian casualties (collateral damage)
ver a Juan... "going to the bathroom
el corre que te alcanza... "the runs"
aventura amorosa... "affair"

Have you heard some for going to the bathroom? powder my nose, go to the little girl's/boys room, see a man about a horse, go sit on the throne...

Now, how would you translate those into Spanish? Literal translations? Probably not, but now think about if it was the other way around... What if you read? voy a reglar las plants, voy a tirar los niños a la piscina, hablar con un viejo amigo, quitarse un peso...

As I find more, I'll post them here.  If you have some, please share!

Ciao,
MLMoore

Week of 20 June 2011

Hola clases,

SPI 214 Introduction to Translation
We will discuss Leonor. I'm excited to see your translations and to hear your struggles with this translation. I know it was difficult, the question is why? Would it have been easier if Leonor was a 4yr old girl from the US and you had to translate from English to Spanish? Did you change the register of the text? Did you translate word for word? Why? Why not?

SPI 113 Analytical Skills
"Quizzes" on our Friendly Dictators. The 1st quiz will be matching Match the dictator with his country. (This may actually come in 2 different versions.) The 2nd will be matching, but this time you'll have to Match the dictator with something he did. After the "quizzes" we'll talk about how you studied. What memorization technique did you use? Did you study the same for both quizzes? Why? Why not?

Gotta love questions!!

Ciao,
MLMoore

WARNING Freerice.com is addictive...

Hola Clase,

I created a group on http://www.freerice.com/ it's called SCC Equipo de Arroz. I would love for you guys to register and join the SCC team. As you practice your Spanish and build your vocabulary, grains of rice will be donated to those in need.

Caution, I know that you guys are geeks like me, so I'm warning you now ... it's fun AND it's addictive.

Imagine the good we can do...

Ciao,
MLMoore

SPI 214 Adjectives...

An adjective is a word that describes a noun or pronoun, while there are different kinds of adjectives; the adjective that tends to cause the most problems is the DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVE.
 
In English, a descriptive adjective does not change … The red school, the red car, the red shirts, the red birds
In Spanish, the descriptive adjective must agree in number and in gender with the noun, it modifies, but we know this, so there’s no need to talk about it right now.
 
Usually in Spanish adjectives that describe qualities come AFTER the noun it modifies. I like to tell my Beginning Spanish students that here in the US we tend to highlight the description, make things seem better, bigger, faster, more expensive … than they really are. For example, I want a candy-apple red, 1967, Mustang convertible with black interior. Whereas in the rest of the world, in this case Spanish the most important thing is the car, all of those excessive words to describe the car are extra.
 
 
The general rule of thumb for placement of descriptive adjective is the more essential and informative the adjective is to the meaning of the sentence, the more likely it should go AFTER the noun.
 
Colors: La casa blanca

Shapes: la mesa redonda

Adjectives indicating membership or classification: (including adjectives of nationality) Una profesora mexicana, la iglesia católica

Adjectives modified by an adverb or phrase: una taza llena de agua.

Multiple adjectives: la casa grande y cara

 

Adjectives that come before the noun:

Adjectives of appreciation: By placing an adjective before the noun, you can sometimes indicate a certain amount of appreciation for that quality and/or a certain amount of emphasis.

For example: Ella es una maestra buena… she’s a good teacher.  Or Ella es una buena maestra. She’s a really, good teacher

Reinforcing adjectives: Adjectives that "go with" the noun are placed before the noun, these adjectives are “decorative” they can be omitted from the sentence, and the information would still be relayed. Los altos picos de los Andes, el horrible monstruo, una oscura noche

Quantitative or non-descriptive adjectives: pocos libros, raras veces, tres perros

Words that express subjective judgment: bueno, malo, mejor, peor, grande, maldito, condenando, mero

Keyboard Keys....

Print the chart on the right and tape to you monitor.  It can be used as a handy guide to type Spanish characters in ANY program.
1. Be sure your NUM LOCK light on your keyboard is on (the NUM LOCK key is on your keypad)
2. Hold down the ALT key
3. Type the number shown on the chart with your KEYPAD
4. Release the ALT key
Your special character will appear.
  
 
 
Yes, this is not the EASIEST method ...
but it works for ANY program.)
Use the Alt key and the KEYPAD to create these characters.
Spanish
á........ 160
é........ 130
í........ 161
ó....... 162
ú....... 163
 
Á......0193
É....... 144
Í...... 0205
Ó..... 0211
Ú..... 0218
 
ñ....... 164
Ñ....... 165
 
¿........ 168
¡........ 173
 
 
Other
ö....... 148
Ö....... 153
ü........ 129
Ü....... 154
 
Math
¢........ 155
¼....... 172
½....... 171
¾..... 0190
÷........ 246
°........ 248
 
 

http://www.irvingisd.net/districtweekly/flyers/typing_in_spanish.htm
 

SPI214 Intro to Translation: Un Chiste

One of the hardest things to translate from one language to another is a joke. Here's a joke in Spanish.
1. See if you understand it
2. Translate it into English. (literally...word for word) Is it still funny? Does it make sense?
3. Translate it into English. (meaning... focus on tone, sentiment, ideas...) Is it still funny?

Chiste
Celerino Pérez, un hombre muy bueno y muy pobre, muere y va al cielo. San Pedro examina su currículum vitae: "No cabe duda de que Ud. sse merece el cielo: pobre toda la vida, sufrimientos incontables, honradez y sacrificio desde la infancia, nunca levantó la voz a nadie... Señor mío, se ha ganado la vida enterna. Bienvenido al cielo."

Pero el hombre no parece satisfecho. Con los ojos bañados en lágrimas, le suplica a San Pedro: "Por favor, señor San Pedro, se lo ruego: ¡Mándame al infierno! Aquí en el cielo hace un frío espantoso y yo he pasado frío toda mi vida. Quiero ir al infierno, que allí se está calentito."

San Pedro se queda pasmado, pero no puede negarle nada, así que le escribe una nota a Lucifer y manda a don Celerino al infierno. Unos siglso más tarde, San Pedro va a hacerle una visita de cortesía a Lucifer. Llama a la puerta del infierno, sale Lucifer a abrirle y se ponen a charlar: "¡Hombre, Pedrito, cuántos siglos! ¿Qué hay de tu vida?" "Ya sabes, lo de siempre. Pasaba por aquí y quería saludarte."

En ese momento sale un GRITO del fondo del infierno, la voz de son Celerino: "¡Cierra esa puerte! Que hay corriente."

jajajaja

Ciao,
MLMoore

Middle of the Week Post

It seems that as we get deeper into the summer the more relaxed and slack, I become with getting my posts out on time. No worries... if I'M not stressed, then you shouldn't be stressed.

SPI214 Intro to Translation
I gave you Leonor and we won't talk about her until the 21st. Remember that class will be from 2:45-3:45, hopefully in OUR classroom, WITH air... just saying.

Below you'll find my "podcast" and the key information from my notes. I'll upload my transcript to Moodle. As I create more grammar podcasts, I'll share them here, Facebook, twitter, and Moodle.

Translation Notes Part 1

1. Algo de ejercicios o algún ejercicio

Algo

In general, in statements it means something, and in interrogative and conditional sentences, anything.

As an adverb, it means a little or somewhat.

·         Estoy algo cansado (I am a bit tired)

·         Se queja algo, pero está mejor (He complains a little, but he is better)

·         Estoy algo más tranquilo (I am a bit more calmed)

Also, as a pronoun and followed by de, its meaning is similar to the adverb: it indicates 'a bit', 'part of', 'something'... referring to just a (small) fraction of a whole.

·         Algo de comer (something to eat --> not necessarily a full meal)

·         Algo de carne (a bit of meat)

·         Algo de ruido (a bit of noise)

Algún is just the short form of Alguno

As an adjective, it modifies the noun it precedes, when you don't refer to anyone or anything in particular among several possible options, like 'some? for statements or 'any? for questions and conditional sentences.

·         algunas veces (sometimes)

·         alguna película (any movie)

Used after a noun it means whatsoever, (not) at all, or simply none.

·         Sin motivo alguno (for no reason at all)

·         No hay problema alguno (There is no problem at all)

Algunos/as can be translated as several.

·         Me comí algunas manzanas (I eat up several apples)

As a pronoun, it is like the adjective before the noun, but the noun is intended from the context.

·         Han venido algunos (Some of them came)

·         Algunas son más caras que otras (Some are more expensive than others)

What does this mean to us?

algo de ejercicio = a bit of exercise  and    algunos ejercicios  = some exercises

2. Ir de compras/ Estar de compras/ Hacer compras

Ir de compras = to go shopping …. implies fun things, clothes, jewelry, things you WANT not NEED

Estar de compras = to be shopping…  shopping in general, not looking for or buying anything specific

Hacer compras = to do the shopping … implies grocery shopping

Next podcast will be about placement of adjectives...

SPI114 Analytical Skills

Note taking...

It seems that you either have a system that you're comfortable with or you don't. One thing we didn't discuss in class is that taking notes in my class is probably VERY different than taking notes in let's say a History class. In a history class you have to know exact dates, exact names, key information, in my class I want you to grasp the knowledge and use it the best way that it's relevant to you and you're real world. With this in mind taking notes in an academic setting will be very different than taking notes in a court room and/or doctor's office. 

Here's my question... Taking in consideration all of the different settings that you as an interpreter may need to take notes, is it realistic to create a "standard" note taking format? Can you be flexible with your note taking techniques?

Probably should have been a forum question, BUT those of you that know me, know that when the question hits me... I ask it or it's gone...

Ciao, 

MLMoore

What's going on....

Hola clases,

 

Here's what happened this week and what's going to happen next:

 

SPI214 Intro to Translations

1. Pepa: Discussed Pepa in class (I thought this was a really good discussion)
2. "took" we will discuss this next week in class, I'd like to hear why you chose what you chose and discuss all the different ways of saying the same thing.
3. Leonor: I will post her passage this weekend. I would like for us to discuss Leonor in class on the 21st. I'd also like to start class on 21 June 11 at 245 and end at 345. I'd really like for entire class to be there and hear all of your views. I think it'll be cool to compare answers and methods.
4. Grammar: I'm going to post a link to my notes, then I'll provide a podcast of more in depth notes on the things that we needed clarification on in class.
   
   

    

   Verbs like Gustar http://www.sampsoncc.edu/staff/mmoore/verbs_like_gustar.htm
   

   Prepositions a, de, y en http://www.sampsoncc.edu/staff/mmoore/usos_de_las_preposiciones_a.htm

   Interrogatives http://www.sampsoncc.edu/staff/mmoore/interrogative_and_negative_sente.htm

 

SPI114 Analytical Skills

1. We listened to your speeches and discussed your different approaches to "memorizing". We will talk about note-taking. Do you take notes? How do you take notes? Do you know shorthand?
2. I've posted 3 articles and a forum with several questions on Moodle.
3. In class next week, 14 June 11, we'll discuss your views and techniques of note taking. No better way to practice than to use my podcast on Grammar notes from SPI214. I'll post it next week, but we'll listen to it and compare note-taking strategies in class.

Have a great weekend.

OHHHH! Someone suggested that we get together for a SPANISH ONLY round-robin discussion type of thing, like maybe we can meet for coffee, chips and salsa, tea and cookies, ... you get the idea. Think about it.

Ciao,
MLMoore