English translation: Commemorative Monument to the Lajas Soldiers
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Spanish to English translations [PRO] Social Sciences - Tourism & Travel / History
Spanish term or phrase:Monumento al soldado lajeño
This appears in a list of "Lugares de interés" in an article about Lajas, Puerto Rico. It's not an "unknown soldier" monument, but rather one that honors all the soldiers from Lajas. There is apparently no official name in English for this monument. I found a translation on the Internet, "Lajeño soldier Monument," but I would prefer not to use the gentilicio in English. A war veterans' newsletter mentions that "Years later, we erected the first monument in Puerto Rico to honor those who did not return to our native town of Lajas." Too long!
My current version is "Monument to the Soldiers of Lajas." Can anyone come up with something that sounds better?
Explanation: A commemorative monument is issued to commemorate a historical event, to honor the memory of a personage, etc. I believe this would fit well with the fact that the monument was erected years later.
Thank you, Deborah. Adding "Commemorative" is a good idea. I used "Monument commemorating the soldiers of Lajas." 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
Thanks to all, especially to those who confirmed my original version. That made me feel good! And you see, Carol, that I took you up on a suggestion you made on another of my questions about not capitalizing my translation when it's more of a descriptive note than a proper name for the place. Thanks!
Correct me if I'm wrong, but you cannot be a 'fallen soldier' and a 'veteran' as a vet is one who survived the war or served (without a war) and is no longer in the military.
your "Monument to the Soldiers of Lajas" is the best so far, in my humble opinion. Nice work!
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Answers
3 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
Monument to the Lajas soldier
Explanation: Just a tweak on your proposal...
silviantonia Local time: 02:04 Native speaker of: English, Spanish PRO pts in category: 20
Notes to answerer
Asker: I know it's singular in the original, but it just doesn't sound right to me in English. We have "tombs of the unknown soldier," because there's one soldier buried there in representation of all. But the monument has to be plural, I think. Thanks for your input.
Fallen Heroes from Lajas Memorial / Fallen Soldiers from Lajas Memorial
Explanation: Alternativa. Hay muchos ejemplos de Soldiers' Memorial en la red.
Sandra Rodriguez Puerto Rico Local time: 04:04 Specializes in field Native speaker of: Spanish PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Me gustan ambas sugerencias, Sandra, pero me parece que el monumento honra a todos, no solamente los caídos, a pesar de lo que el veterano escribió. Gracias de nuevo y saludos.
22 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
Lajas Veterans Monument
Explanation: A veteran is a former soldier. However, in one place you say it honors all the soldiers from Lajas and in another, those who did not return.
But the answer I have given would serve both for those fallen in battle and those who lived.
Henry Hinds Local time: 02:04 Native speaker of: English, Spanish PRO pts in category: 173
Notes to answerer
Asker: My understanding is that it honors all the soldiers from Lajas; the vet who wrote in the newsletter gave, I believe, his own interpretation.
Explanation: I think with "Sons" and "Memorial" it's understood that they were soldiers :-)
Deborah Lockett Local time: 09:04 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 155
Notes to answerer
Asker: I think so too, Deborah. I like this version a lot. But I'm being boring and sticking with a more literal translation. If I were asked to come up with a new name, not a translation, this is the one I would pick. Thanks again, Deborah.
Asker: I forgot--I meant to mention that I would have to add "and Daughters."
Explanation: A commemorative monument is issued to commemorate a historical event, to honor the memory of a personage, etc. I believe this would fit well with the fact that the monument was erected years later.
Deborah Adeogba Local time: 03:04 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thank you, Deborah. Adding "Commemorative" is a good idea. I used "Monument commemorating the soldiers of Lajas."
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): +2
peer agreement (net): +1
