Translation - art & business » Teaching and Learning Languages »
Pages in topic:   < [1 2]
Which pronoun do you use to refer to people in general?
Thread poster: Rosina Peixoto
Giles Watson
Giles Watson  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 23:18
Italian to English
In memoriam
Spanish "nosotros" has the same ambiguity as English "we" May 28, 2008

Rosina Peixoto wrote:

I´m not bilingual. Spanish is my mother tongue and I cannot perceive such subtleness. In our language "we" use "we" most of the times. It´s a way of getting rid of the self-centredness that the first person singular conveys. It also suggests a kind of collective project.

Cheers!



Hi Rosina,

As in English, the first person plural pronoun in Spanish is ambiguous in that it can either include or exclude the addressee. In other words, the "collective project" can appear to be directed against the addressee, or the addressee may be included in it willy-nilly, although it is probably most often presented as a genuine attempt to share.

It's easier to make the distinction in spoken language, where you have tone of voice and gesture to assist interpretation.

Cheers,

Giles
 
Sara Senft
Sara Senft  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 17:18
Spanish to English
+ ...
My perspective and thoughts Sep 20, 2008

I think of the impersonal 'you' in English as like the impersonal 'se' in Spanish.

Back to the original question....When possible, I distinctly refer to a specific group. Like several other posters, I don't like using 'they' unless it refers to a specific group of people. At least for me, it comes down to clarification. In the case of spoken language, I get verbal clarification. EXAMPLE: Some names could easily suit a man or woman. In that case, I ask something like "Pat as ... See more
I think of the impersonal 'you' in English as like the impersonal 'se' in Spanish.

Back to the original question....When possible, I distinctly refer to a specific group. Like several other posters, I don't like using 'they' unless it refers to a specific group of people. At least for me, it comes down to clarification. In the case of spoken language, I get verbal clarification. EXAMPLE: Some names could easily suit a man or woman. In that case, I ask something like "Pat as in 'Patrick,' or as in 'Patricia'?"

This is something that makes English different from, say, Spanish or German. (I know some German, not enough to translate to or from it.)

[Edited at 2008-09-20 17:22]

[Edited at 2008-09-20 17:23] ▲ Collapse
 
Pages in topic:   < [1 2]


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Laureana Pavon[Call to this topic]
Fernanda Rocha[Call to this topic]
Nawal Kramer[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Which pronoun do you use to refer to people in general?






Protemos translation business management system
Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!

The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.

More info »
TM-Town
Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business

Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.

More info »