Nov 11, 2010 11:03
13 yrs ago
Spanish term
La Chilenidad con sus pelos y sus lanas
Spanish to English
Art/Literary
Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
Dear colleagues,
referring to my last post, I have encountered another phrase during my translation of a text taken from the Chilean Museo de Arte Virtual on which I would like to know your opinion. The text describes the paintings of Gana, Chilean artist, as "una búsqueda de la chilenidad con sus pelos y sus lanas".
The wider context can be found on http://www.mav.cl/expo/gana-chile/chilenidad.htm
While I understand the term Chilenidad and can thus relate to the reference to "lanas" as wool industry is characteristic of Chile , I cannot grasp what the author meant by 'pelos'. Why 'hair'? Is there any particular reason for this?
I feel that the original target audience would understand such a reference but the same cannot be said about English-speaking visitors to the site. I therefore feel the need to make the reference more explicit. However, in order to do so I first need to be sure that I understand what the author meant.
Would you have any suggestions why the author would choose to refer to 'pelos' and what s/he means by that?
Thank you very much for your help.
Myska
referring to my last post, I have encountered another phrase during my translation of a text taken from the Chilean Museo de Arte Virtual on which I would like to know your opinion. The text describes the paintings of Gana, Chilean artist, as "una búsqueda de la chilenidad con sus pelos y sus lanas".
The wider context can be found on http://www.mav.cl/expo/gana-chile/chilenidad.htm
While I understand the term Chilenidad and can thus relate to the reference to "lanas" as wool industry is characteristic of Chile , I cannot grasp what the author meant by 'pelos'. Why 'hair'? Is there any particular reason for this?
I feel that the original target audience would understand such a reference but the same cannot be said about English-speaking visitors to the site. I therefore feel the need to make the reference more explicit. However, in order to do so I first need to be sure that I understand what the author meant.
Would you have any suggestions why the author would choose to refer to 'pelos' and what s/he means by that?
Thank you very much for your help.
Myska
Proposed translations
(English)
| 3 +8 | unvarnished // warts and all |
Robert Forstag
|
| 3 +1 | distinctive Chilean products such as animal hairs and wools |
Bubo Coroman (X)
|
| 4 | wild and wooly |
JH Trads
|
| 3 | hair / fine detail |
riafontes
|
Proposed translations
+8
21 mins
Robert Forstag
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Translating words, preserving meaning
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
134
Selected
unvarnished // warts and all
I don't know if the reference below is the same text you are working with, but if it is, then the phrase in question has nothing to do with "animal hairs" and "wools," but simply means that the artist seeks to portray what it is to be Chilean in its unvarnished reality, "without euphemisms.'
Suerte.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 mins (2010-11-11 11:26:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.mav.cl/expo/gana-chile/chilenidad.htm
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 27 mins (2010-11-11 11:30:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This is the same link the Asker posted....
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 45 mins (2010-11-11 11:48:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Or, perhaps:
unmasked
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2010-11-11 12:23:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Myska. I believe that the text that follows the extract in question also supports my reading:
La pintura de Gana es una búsqueda de la chilenidad con sus pelos y sus lanas, búsqueda directa, sin eufemismos, sin miedo a encontrar las sorpresas y epifanías que la vida depara (si se quiere mirar) en cada esquina, en cada bar, en la cola de la parafina durante las tardes de invierno, en el amor tórrido de la empleada doméstica con el carabinero, ella atisbando con su ojo picassiano si alguien los ve mientras entrega sus bondades y ardores al uniformado; en los juegos playeros de bañistas que resuman vida, transpiración y ganas de bajo el sol estival de una playa cualquiera de la Costa Central; en las ensoñaciones eróticas de la dueña de casa, su pelo tomado en cola de caballo, oliendo todavía a Rinso, y las chancletas que resuenan sobre el piso de madera mientras completa sus menesteres cotidianos.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 hrs (2010-11-12 00:42:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As a final comment, I don't think the text succeeding the phrase in question supports the idea that what the painter has captured are "ordinary" or "everyday." Rather, it seems that the images conveyed are of "the extraordinary/magical within the ordinary." I don't think my suggestion of "warts and all" works. "Unvarnished" comes closer (I believe) to capturing the intended idea. Perhaps even better would be something like, "the true fabric of life as it is lived in [contemporary] Chile."
Suerte.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 mins (2010-11-11 11:26:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.mav.cl/expo/gana-chile/chilenidad.htm
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 27 mins (2010-11-11 11:30:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
This is the same link the Asker posted....
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 45 mins (2010-11-11 11:48:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Or, perhaps:
unmasked
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2010-11-11 12:23:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Thank you, Myska. I believe that the text that follows the extract in question also supports my reading:
La pintura de Gana es una búsqueda de la chilenidad con sus pelos y sus lanas, búsqueda directa, sin eufemismos, sin miedo a encontrar las sorpresas y epifanías que la vida depara (si se quiere mirar) en cada esquina, en cada bar, en la cola de la parafina durante las tardes de invierno, en el amor tórrido de la empleada doméstica con el carabinero, ella atisbando con su ojo picassiano si alguien los ve mientras entrega sus bondades y ardores al uniformado; en los juegos playeros de bañistas que resuman vida, transpiración y ganas de bajo el sol estival de una playa cualquiera de la Costa Central; en las ensoñaciones eróticas de la dueña de casa, su pelo tomado en cola de caballo, oliendo todavía a Rinso, y las chancletas que resuenan sobre el piso de madera mientras completa sus menesteres cotidianos.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 hrs (2010-11-12 00:42:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As a final comment, I don't think the text succeeding the phrase in question supports the idea that what the painter has captured are "ordinary" or "everyday." Rather, it seems that the images conveyed are of "the extraordinary/magical within the ordinary." I don't think my suggestion of "warts and all" works. "Unvarnished" comes closer (I believe) to capturing the intended idea. Perhaps even better would be something like, "the true fabric of life as it is lived in [contemporary] Chile."
Note from asker:
| Dear Robert. Thank you so much for your thoughtful answer. I believe that you are right. I viewed some of the work by this artist and its style and the theme of his paintings seem to confirm your view. Thank you! |
| Yes Rober, I agree. |
| Yes, Robert. That is my interpretation of the text following the phrase in question, too. The painter searches for the beauty, the extraordinary, something special in the "ordinary" ... the beauty of the individual in that special moment that he focuses on in his paintings, the true heart of Chilenidad. Thank you very much for your lovely and thoughtful posts. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
James A. Walsh
: This is my understanding of the text too.
18 mins
|
|
Thank you, James.
|
|
| agree |
Marina Soldati
: Pués hasta ahora no se han quejado y han seguido mandando más. Entregué el mismo día de la pregunta. Buen finde!
1 hr
|
|
Gracias, Marina. Espero que todo fuera bien con tu traduccion para la empresa de moviles. :) // Que bueno! A ti tambien Marina. :)
|
|
| agree |
Denise DeVries
: "warts & all"
2 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Denise.
|
|
| agree |
franglish
: my reading, too
5 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Fran.
|
|
| agree |
Irina Livov
10 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Irina.
|
|
| agree |
GillW (MCIL)
: yes, nothing to do with wool and hair!
10 hrs
|
|
Nope. Thank you, Gill.
|
|
| agree |
Catherine Gilsenan
23 hrs
|
|
Thank you, Catherine.
|
|
| agree |
claudia16 (X)
1 day 1 hr
|
|
Thank you, Claudia.
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Selected automatically based on peer agreement."
+1
12 mins
distinctive Chilean products such as animal hairs and wools
por ejemplo, el pelo de alpaca. Referencia:
Conozca el pelo de Alpaca y vicuña
http://www.galeon.com/alpacarealperu/
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 37 mins (2010-11-11 11:40:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I just read Robert's explanation and if you are looking for a figurative translation I suggest "In search of ordinary, everyday Chile".
Conozca el pelo de Alpaca y vicuña
http://www.galeon.com/alpacarealperu/
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 37 mins (2010-11-11 11:40:20 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
I just read Robert's explanation and if you are looking for a figurative translation I suggest "In search of ordinary, everyday Chile".
Note from asker:
| Thank you, Deborah for both of your suggestions. I especially like your figurative translation. |
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Esther van der Wal
: Yeah, I think that may be it. I find many references of lana and pelo together with tejido.
3 mins
|
|
many thanks Esther, best regards! - Deborah
|
48 mins
hair / fine detail
I think that there is the possibility he is referring to the human hair. If there are portraits, the characteristic of the hair, specially within the native population, long straight shining black, may be part of that Chilenidad he is looking for. There is also another possibility. In Spanish there is the expression "pelos y señales", which means "pormenores o detalles". Maybe "pelos y lanas" is the equivalent in Chile to that Spanish expression
Note from asker:
| Thank you! I thought about this possibility, too (long straight shining black hair typical of the indigenous population). There is certainly not a straight-forward solution to this. |
2 hrs
wild and wooly
trying to remain as close as possible and keeping elements of the metaphore
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2010-11-11 13:45:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
¡viva Chile mi...a!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2010-11-11 13:45:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
¡viva Chile mi...a!
Discussion