04:08 Nov 13, 2000 |
Spanish to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary | |||||||
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| Selected response from: Lia Fail (X) Spain Local time: 12:45 | ||||||
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Hello! Explanation: We have a Salon de los Pasos Perdidos in our Government House (Casa Rosada). I think the name should not be translated. It is not an office but a Hall where, for example, foreign VIP visitors are received by the President. Literally translation would be: Lost and Found Steps Hall. Hope this helps! :) |
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clarification from the asker Explanation: Thanks, Serena, your answer made me realize that I did not give enough information; this is an attempt so I can help you folks help me. The original is a fantasy tale for children but really for grownups, rather like Le Petit Prince by St. Exupery. The author employs many metaphors. This particular scene is in a railroad station and the protagonist's granddaughter is lost, so someone suggests he go to La Oficina de los Pasos Perdidos. Obviously referring to the station's Lost and Found. My question: is La Oficina de los Pasos Perdidos a normal way to refer to the Lost and Found (the author is from Chile, so particularly in Chile), or is this another metaphor? Thanks! xx |
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Intertextual reference to Alejo's Carpentier's Pasos Perdidos Explanation: I've been all over the Web, using every single search engine I could come up with. I've found lots of "salon de los pasos perdidos"; in Peru, a "hall de los pasos perdidos" and several mentions of a simulation game called "tierra de los pasos perdidos." And, of course, lots and lots of mentions of Alejo Carpentier's famous novel. I am basing my interpretation of the metaphor (although I think I'd rather call it a wordplay, here...) on the incorporation of "pasos perdidos" into the name of that simulation game. Of course, there is also no doubt a strong element of playfulness, period, in a lot of good children's literature, and this no doubt is the case here, too. I think I'd go for a wordplay in the English translation, too. Something like: "Lost and Found People." Or "Wait and Find Office," depending on *what*/*who* has been lost/misplaced. Google, Alta Vista, Northern Light, Inference Find, HotBot, Dogpile, Yahoo, etc... |
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LOST & FOUND OFFICE Explanation: I agree with Yolanda, it's obviously a play on words (for the benefit of the adults) and yet playfulness as far as the child is concerned. But the author is Chilean and the reference to the Oficina will make sense to almost all Chilean adults and also children who would interpret the term literally, and react accordingly (e.g. the way I, as a foreigner, react to Cobrador de Frac in Spain - I find it an amazing and hilarious concept). The child is told to go the this Oficina because HER 'pasos' are 'perdidos' (her steps, hence she, are/is lost. The problem you have is to reproduce this in English, and to do this you'll have to forget about Chile-Oficina de Pasos Perdidos (and its real meaning; it is its literal meaning that is being evoked in the story) and find an alternative that will PRODUCE THE SAME EFFECT on English readers. I think you have to translate it from the child's and adult reader's point of view - what would they think comic about the place where she is recommended to go, a place that exists, with a specific adult function in the adult world. I think the 'juego de palabras' has to include the following references. A child is lost An adult tells her a strange, yet supremely logical place to go It retains the humour of the original for the adult reader I think the answer is to tell the child to go to the LOST & FOUND OFFICE. It answers all the above criteria. a passion for reproducing metaphors! |
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Yolanda was right. There are salones de los pasos perdidos Explanation: in many other countries, it generally pertains to government buildings.... I do not believe the author is trying to make a metaphor but simply point out the irony that there is where supposedly you find your "lost steps" but instead they stole the diamond. I found one more indication of why the name of "pasos perdidos" which may add some light to your sentence.... the name of pasos perdidos comes apparently from the acoustic nature of the hall... it is well insolated and the footsteps cannot be heard.... http://www2.ceniai.inf.cu/cultura/capitolio/salonpp.html.... "el efecto acustico es el que le da su nombre. en el centro la replica del brillante que marca el kilometro cero de las carreteras del pais.... This pertains to the Capitolio building. Saludos afectuosos. Maria ;o) (This is a really interesting translation you are working on. I am envious! ;0) |
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