This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English to Spanish

cowboy

Spanish translation: comment

06:57 Oct 8, 2001
English to Spanish translations [PRO]
English term or phrase: cowboy
Anti-foreigner legislation in the security industry would send a worrying message to all foreign investors. André Gaum, of the opposition Democratic Alliance, claims that 150m rand of foreign investment has been put on hold because of this week's “ludicrous actions by cowboy comrades in the ANC”.
[email protected]
Spanish translation:comment
Explanation:
I don't know which specific actions they're referring to; however, I guess that this is a criticism to members of the African National Congress, who seem to have been acted like cowboys, that is, get your gun and go get'em, in a western movie style.
Regarding the word cowboy itself, it is so widely used that I don't think you need to translate it; using the Spanish "vaquero" would imply loosing its "western movie" meaning.
Hope it helps, regards


Patricia
Selected response from:

Patricia Lutteral
Argentina
Local time: 08:56
Grading comment
Thank you, p_lutteral.

Your answer has been immensely useful. Sorry for not commenting o grading your effort before.Í've been absent from office for some time.

Truly grateful.

Mario Buklfone/Patricia Torres

4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +5comment
Patricia Lutteral
4 +2I can't offer a translation, but
Jon Zuber (X)
5Temerario
Lafuente
4gringo
Hinara


  

Answers


1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +5
comment


Explanation:
I don't know which specific actions they're referring to; however, I guess that this is a criticism to members of the African National Congress, who seem to have been acted like cowboys, that is, get your gun and go get'em, in a western movie style.
Regarding the word cowboy itself, it is so widely used that I don't think you need to translate it; using the Spanish "vaquero" would imply loosing its "western movie" meaning.
Hope it helps, regards


Patricia


    Reference: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/gendocs.html
Patricia Lutteral
Argentina
Local time: 08:56
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in pair: 1564
Grading comment
Thank you, p_lutteral.

Your answer has been immensely useful. Sorry for not commenting o grading your effort before.Í've been absent from office for some time.

Truly grateful.

Mario Buklfone/Patricia Torres

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Marian Greenfield
10 mins
agree  jbinterpreter
14 mins
agree  Oso (X): Excellent comment & suggestion! ¶:^)
15 mins
agree  Gabriela Tenenbaum (X): outstanding explantion, Patty! #:))
3 hrs
  -> Tks, guys!! :-))
agree  Andrea Wells: Me encantó tu explicación, Pato!!
7 hrs
  -> gracias, che! :-))
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
gringo


Explanation:
I'm not sure "gringo" would be the best translation,considering the comment by my peer on the word "vaquero" Gringo perhaps doesn't have the "gu'ho" connotations that the word "cowboy" does. This is just an option to be considered. Suerte!

Hinara
United States
Local time: 04:56
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in pair: 18
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

7 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
I can't offer a translation, but


Explanation:
I can tell you what it means. "Cowboy" as an adjective describes those who act extraofficially, on their own initiative, often with an implication of recklessness. ¿"Desaforado"?

Jon Zuber (X)
PRO pts in pair: 83

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Sheila Hardie
56 mins
agree  Lafuente: I think that would be "temerario" or "persona de armas tomar" If you agree, it is all yours... You deserve it!
15 hrs
  -> These sound right to me, but I think the call really should be made by a native speaker.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 day 11 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Temerario


Explanation:
Following Jon's explanation, I would suggest your translating the "vaquero" term as : temerario // or "persona de armas tomar". This last one is rather colloquial...

Hope it helps,

Lafuente
PRO pts in pair: 104
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search