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07:40 Oct 22, 2011
Spanish to English translations [PRO] Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Spanish term or phrase:Lo que tu crees
I am translating a letter from a Latin American person (country of origin: unknown) writing on behalf of his father to a Swedish authority. Below the signature of the father, there's a phrase that seems totally out of context: "Lo que tu crees".
To me, it looks like a personal comment that remains from a draft, not to be translated or at least not to be taken into consideration by the authority.
Explanation: I agree with you that this phrase probably remains from a draft and appears to be a private comment between the writer and his father; the "tú" suggests that. It has no obvious relevance to the letter itself as you describe it, particularly placed in isolation below the signature.
What it actually means is impossible to determine for sure without any context, which of course does not exist. Presumably it was written by the son to the father (or perhaps the other way round) and the recipient was expected to get the message. It literally means what I have indicated: what you think or believe. Since it says "crees" and not "creas", it does not, in principle, mean "whatever you think/believe", but strictly "that which you do actually think/believe". It could refer to an opinion or to a belief (including a religious belief); indeed, it could mean "what you believe in". It could be part of a longer phrase, such as "Eso es lo que tú crees" (that's what you think) or "No es lo que tú crees" (it's not what you think).
It seems to me that this is probably best dealt with in a note to the translation.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 39 mins (2011-10-22 08:19:27 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
One possible scenario that might explain the phrase, though this is pure speculation, of course, is that the son has separately consulted his father on what should be said in the letter and the father is here replying "put what you think", in other words, "I agree with your suggestion". As I have said, since "crees" is indicative, not subjunctive, it does not, in principle, mean "put whatever you think (best)"; it would refer to something specific that the son (probably) has suggested saying.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 8 hrs (2011-10-22 15:48:29 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
On further reflection, I still feel that this phrase was probably written by the father, and that it indicates the father's agreement to what the son has written or intends to write. It is written below the father's signature. The fact that the son is writing the letter on his behalf suggests that the father is unable or unwilling to write it for himself, but it would be natural for the son to seek the father's advice and approval as to the content.
As in, "end the letter as you see fit". Basically, not knowing what formalities are expected in letters in English, the author might be deferring to you as the English-language specialist.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
30 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
What you think / believe
Explanation: I agree with you that this phrase probably remains from a draft and appears to be a private comment between the writer and his father; the "tú" suggests that. It has no obvious relevance to the letter itself as you describe it, particularly placed in isolation below the signature.
What it actually means is impossible to determine for sure without any context, which of course does not exist. Presumably it was written by the son to the father (or perhaps the other way round) and the recipient was expected to get the message. It literally means what I have indicated: what you think or believe. Since it says "crees" and not "creas", it does not, in principle, mean "whatever you think/believe", but strictly "that which you do actually think/believe". It could refer to an opinion or to a belief (including a religious belief); indeed, it could mean "what you believe in". It could be part of a longer phrase, such as "Eso es lo que tú crees" (that's what you think) or "No es lo que tú crees" (it's not what you think).
It seems to me that this is probably best dealt with in a note to the translation.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 39 mins (2011-10-22 08:19:27 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
One possible scenario that might explain the phrase, though this is pure speculation, of course, is that the son has separately consulted his father on what should be said in the letter and the father is here replying "put what you think", in other words, "I agree with your suggestion". As I have said, since "crees" is indicative, not subjunctive, it does not, in principle, mean "put whatever you think (best)"; it would refer to something specific that the son (probably) has suggested saying.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 8 hrs (2011-10-22 15:48:29 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
On further reflection, I still feel that this phrase was probably written by the father, and that it indicates the father's agreement to what the son has written or intends to write. It is written below the father's signature. The fact that the son is writing the letter on his behalf suggests that the father is unable or unwilling to write it for himself, but it would be natural for the son to seek the father's advice and approval as to the content.
Charles Davis Local time: 04:33 Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 7
Reference information: it seems to me that the "tu" may be the father who perhaps was meant to check the letter before it was sent. Perhaps the phrase invites the father to add "whatever you think".
Deborah Lockett Spain Works in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 83
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +1
