English translation: cross in one hand, sword in the other
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Spanish to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Philosophy
Spanish term or phrase:Rogando y con el mazo dando
So...
Normally I would translate this as "God helps those who help themselves", or something of that ilk. However, in this case the author is using this expression in an atypical way (at least in my native English speaking opinion). And, to top it all off, he uses the hammer metaphor in the next sentence. I need some ideas for how to either translate this smoothly, or write a coherent translator's note. Here's the text:
Baste decir que se puede comparar el gesto de la guerra santa en el Islam y en el Cristianismo, diciendo que para los crusados cristianos (como recoge el dicho de <>) consitió en blandir el mazo con una mano en tanto que la otra sostenía el rosario, mientras que para sus contrincantes,... el rosario parecía hacerse innecesario.
(This is a book on psychology/philosophy that is for a general, well-educated, audience.
Explanation: ... followed by "swinging the sword in one hand while raising the cross with the other. Not literal, but within the bounds of artistic license?
"praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" is roughly what the Spanish A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando means. Your text explains it perfectly.
Thank you! I think this is reasonable artistic license. I have chosen this translation because it maintains the weapon metaphor elegantly, is a set expression (which matters here since the author makes reference to a saying), and in my opinion fits the best with the theme. THank you, and all the others who answered, too. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
I found your interpretation very interesting, describing hypocrites. I always thought of that expression differently: that it is not enough to pray for something, but you have to also make an effort, keep working at it (hammering...)
To those of you who were confused, I apologize. I was puzzled as to why the confusion was occuring, and I see now, that for some reason the most important part was omitted from between the <<>> quote marks! I typed it in, but it doesn't show. Now I don't understand why EVERYONE wasn't confused.
The English expression (coined by Benjamin Franklin) means that we can't spend our lives waiting for God to do for us what we need to do for ourselves.
The Spanish expression means we have no problem going to church on Sunday, spouting faith, hope, and love, and then spending the rest of the week walking all over our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
Michelle, this idiomatic expression in Spanish means that you do two opposite things at the same time - Crusaders held the rosary (= prayed, spread the word of God) while "beating" (or killing people) - while Islam war simply beat or killed people, not finding any need to pray while doing so .
Explanation: ... followed by "swinging the sword in one hand while raising the cross with the other. Not literal, but within the bounds of artistic license?
"praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" is roughly what the Spanish A Dios rogando y con el mazo dando means. Your text explains it perfectly.
patinba Argentina Local time: 02:19 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 21
Grading comment
Thank you! I think this is reasonable artistic license. I have chosen this translation because it maintains the weapon metaphor elegantly, is a set expression (which matters here since the author makes reference to a saying), and in my opinion fits the best with the theme. THank you, and all the others who answered, too.
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peer agreement (net): +3
