Oficina de los Pasos perdidos

English translation: LOST & FOUND OFFICE

04:08 Nov 13, 2000
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary
Spanish term or phrase: Oficina de los Pasos perdidos
This is a literary translation, and the author uses many metaphors. The text makes it clear that the term in question refers to the LOST AND FOUND OFFICE, and what I would like to have you help me with is whether this is the correct and usual term for a lost and found office in Chile (or anywhere, for that matter), or is the author employing another metaphor? If the latter, any explanations as to the metaphor?

(Related: in Havana there used to be a Salón de los Pasos Perdidos with a large diamond set into the floor to mark Kilometer 0. When the diamond turned up missing one day, vox populi began to call it El Salón del Diamante Perdido.)

Thanks -- I look forward to your comments.
Gloria Nichols
United States
Local time: 07:45
English translation: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.

Selected response from:

Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 12:45
Grading comment
Ailish, you're right! I had my nose glued to the text so firmly that I didn't realize the lost and found office is funny enough already! Yolanda, that was awesome! Thanks for the thorough search, and yes, wordplay is the term here. Thanks to all of you for your help.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
naHello!
Elinor Thomas
naclarification from the asker
Gloria Nichols
naIntertextual reference to Alejo's Carpentier's Pasos Perdidos
Yolanda Broad
naLOST & FOUND OFFICE
Lia Fail (X)
naYolanda was right. There are salones de los pasos perdidos
Maria


  

Answers


56 mins
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! :)

Elinor Thomas
Local time: 08:45
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in pair: 247
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1 hr
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
Gloria Nichols
United States
Local time: 07:45
PRO pts in pair: 67
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2 hrs
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...
Yolanda Broad
United States
Local time: 07:45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 668
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6 hrs
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!
Lia Fail (X)
Spain
Local time: 12:45
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in pair: 1368
Grading comment
Ailish, you're right! I had my nose glued to the text so firmly that I didn't realize the lost and found office is funny enough already! Yolanda, that was awesome! Thanks for the thorough search, and yes, wordplay is the term here. Thanks to all of you for your help.
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6 hrs
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)

Maria
Local time: 06:45
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in pair: 920
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