Si fuera un santo, los silicios hubieran consumido mi cuerpo
English translation: Had I been a saint, my hairshirt / my cilices would have consumed my flesh.
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20:02 Oct 31, 2009
Spanish to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature / short story
Spanish term or phrase:Si fuera un santo, los silicios hubieran consumido mi cuerpo
Hello! This is phrase from a short story written by an argentinean writer. It's called "El arrepentido" and I'm translating it into english. I'm not sure about the term 'silicios' (chemical element) in relation to saints. I did found that 'cilicios' with a 'c' is 'cilices' or 'hairshirts' in english and it means a garment made of coarse cloth or animal hair (a hairshirt) used in some religious traditions to induce discomfort or pain as a sign of repentance and atonement. How would you translate this phrase? Should I consider it a spelling mistake and translate it as 'cilices'?
Explanation: Although the sentence says "si fuera un santo", I think "if I HAD been" or "HAD I been" fits better with the "hubieran consumido" structure that follows. I propose "flesh" over "body" as the flesh would be "rubbed raw" but the body would remain. As for "silicios", I suppose either hairshirt or cilices would work but I would make this "mine".
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 8 hrs (2009-11-01 04:10:31 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I meant for that to be "my hairshirt / my cilice" - singular, not plural.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 19 hrs (2009-11-01 15:34:09 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
To me it is an error. It should be "cilicios" (meaning the constant use of a cilice).
I would not be surprised. Some time ago I read a novel that had been awarded the Alfaguara Prize and on the cover it said "Maria Vargas Llosa" had recommended it....
Even if you're certain it is a mistake, you should still consult the author. The fact that he/she is a writer ought to preclude such mistakes, so it's always worth checking.
I agree, it must be 'cilicio', and it goes way back. I suppose Opus Dei, despite being very new compared to other religious organizations, may still encourage this kind of thing, but it's difficult to separate myth from reality in this.
This is a common mistake. I think it's cilicio.
DRAE: cilicio.
(Del lat. cilicĭum).
1. m. Faja de cerdas o de cadenillas de hierro con puntas, ceñida al cuerpo junto a la carne, que para mortificación usan algunas personas.
2. m. Saco o vestidura áspera que se usaba antiguamente para la penitencia.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
56 mins confidence:
scourge / flagellate
Explanation: it talks about the punishment / reminder of Christ´s suffering.
I would say something like:
If I had been a saint, the scourge would have consumed my (whole) body / flesh.
GOOD LUCK!
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 58 mins (2009-10-31 21:00:33 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
and there´s no speeling mistake it´s said SILICIO. not with C
;-)
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2009-10-31 21:13:17 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
UPSI!!! I am very very sorry, RECTIFICO: SE FLAGELABAN CON UN CILICIO!! (y toda una vida creyendo que el spelling era igual al del elemento químico!)
mis disculpas!
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +3
