Feb 4, 2004 12:30
20 yrs ago
9 viewers *
Spanish term
Euskadi
Spanish to English
Social Sciences
A usage question that probably does not have a right answer. I´m translating a series of articles about the Basque conflict and getting tired of repeating Basque region. Is it acceptable to use the term Euskadi in English? Most media sources don´t. Opinions and references greatly appreciated.
example:
El 27 de septiembre el presidente del Gobierno del País Vasco, Juan José Ibarretxe, lanza la propuesta de celebrar un referéndum popular durante la presente legislatura para convertir a Euskadi en un Estado libre asociado a España. Se pretende lograr un nuevo status que permita a Euskadi firmar tratados internacionales, tener presencia directa en Europa, libertad para relacionarse con otros territorios vascos, disponer de una amplia autonomía política real, un poder judicial propio, etc. Poco después, el Gobierno central muestra su rotundo rechazo al “plan Ibarretxe”. También se posicionan en contra los empresarios vascos y la Comisión Europea.
example:
El 27 de septiembre el presidente del Gobierno del País Vasco, Juan José Ibarretxe, lanza la propuesta de celebrar un referéndum popular durante la presente legislatura para convertir a Euskadi en un Estado libre asociado a España. Se pretende lograr un nuevo status que permita a Euskadi firmar tratados internacionales, tener presencia directa en Europa, libertad para relacionarse con otros territorios vascos, disponer de una amplia autonomía política real, un poder judicial propio, etc. Poco después, el Gobierno central muestra su rotundo rechazo al “plan Ibarretxe”. También se posicionan en contra los empresarios vascos y la Comisión Europea.
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+3
8 hrs
Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
United States
Native in English
United States
Each translation a gem!
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: Spanish to English, Portuguese to English
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5624
Selected
Basque Autonomous Community / Euskadi / Basque community
This is a linguistic answer, not a political one. Personally, I would suggest interspersing "Euskadi," possibly putting it in parentheses at first mention, because I found the word fairly often in English on the Web (searching on 'Euskadi Basque country' to weed out most of the Spanish-language sites and then checking to be sure they were in English). ALSO, there is an interesting discussion of the word IN ENGLISH at the site referenced below, which states: "Euskadi is the Basque name used for the Basque Autonomous Community (Comunidad Autónoma Vasca), whereas the whole of the Basque lands in France and Spain are referred to as Euskal Herria (which means 'Basque Country')." That is an interesting point to ponder, but I wouldn't dare to offer an informed opinion.
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Note added at 2004-02-04 21:14:23 (GMT)
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The question of capital \"C\" would depend on whether or not one is referring to the full official name / recognized abbreviated name of an official entity, on the one hand, or to an unofficial name. In the case of Basque Autonomous Community, the shortened version would probably be lowercase. \"Basque Country\" appears to be more problematic (and political). If in fact there is an official entity, then the \"C\" should be capitalized; if not, then it should be lowercase.
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Note added at 2004-02-04 21:14:23 (GMT)
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The question of capital \"C\" would depend on whether or not one is referring to the full official name / recognized abbreviated name of an official entity, on the one hand, or to an unofficial name. In the case of Basque Autonomous Community, the shortened version would probably be lowercase. \"Basque Country\" appears to be more problematic (and political). If in fact there is an official entity, then the \"C\" should be capitalized; if not, then it should be lowercase.
Reference:
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
kdavey
: Basque Autonomous Community..Ibarretxe is the President of the Basque Autonomous Community which comprises three provinces out of a total of seven which form the Basque Country divided between Spain and France.
29 mins
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Thank you for the confirmation -- I felt that I was treading on sensitive issues and hesitated to say I was sure.
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James Calder
: Thanks for the clarification on the capital 'C' Muriel.
10 hrs
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| agree |
dawn39 (X)
: excelente respuesta, Muriel: lingüística, sin connotaciones políticas. La "respuesta elegida", que curiosamente no es la tuya elegida, se suponía: "Basque Country" (= lands in France and Spain). ¿Para qué consultar...? (me pregunto). Un cordial saludo :)
11 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "THanks to all of you. I wish I could spread the points around. Everyone´s suggestions have been helpful. This link is interesting Muriel. I think, in the end, I am going to use Basque country though because I think the general readers will understand it best and the text is very broad range, not just about Spain but the whole Mediterranean space.
Saludos,M."
+1
3 mins
Euskadi
Why not leave it? An informed reader will know, or deduce from context, what it means.
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Note added at 2004-02-04 12:48:22 (GMT)
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Just for the sake of informatoin, Euskadi is the word used by Basques to refer to their region. The word itself has no political connotation in the sense of separatism.
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Note added at 2004-02-04 12:48:22 (GMT)
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Just for the sake of informatoin, Euskadi is the word used by Basques to refer to their region. The word itself has no political connotation in the sense of separatism.
+5
6 mins
The Basque Country
Euskadi - the Basque Country
I would just keep using the English version - Basque country - even though is is quite tiresome repeating your self all the time!
HTH
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Note added at 2004-02-04 12:50:04 (GMT)
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I agree with your comment, many people may not know that \"Euskadi\" is the Basque country! Like I said above, translate it throughout or the other option is to put a foot note explaining the term at the beginning and then use Euskadi! Just a suggestion!
I would just keep using the English version - Basque country - even though is is quite tiresome repeating your self all the time!
HTH
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Note added at 2004-02-04 12:50:04 (GMT)
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I agree with your comment, many people may not know that \"Euskadi\" is the Basque country! Like I said above, translate it throughout or the other option is to put a foot note explaining the term at the beginning and then use Euskadi! Just a suggestion!
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Gillian Hargreaves (X)
1 min
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Thanks!
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James Calder
: Sorry to be a stickler but it should be a small 'c'. Emma, please see Muriel's note about the use of the lowercase 'c' below.
8 mins
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That's OK! Basque country it is then!
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Emma Cox
: I think you should call it the Basque Country, and perhaps reference Euskadi once too. Excuse my ignorance, but why should it be a small C by the way???
2 hrs
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| agree |
x-Translator (X)
5 hrs
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| agree |
Dr Andrew Read
5 hrs
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+2
8 mins
James Calder
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
United Kingdom
Sports/creative translation and writing
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, French to English, Portuguese to English
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566
Basque country
I come across it a fair bit too and always translate it this way. Personally speaking, I wouldn't use 'Euskadi', not for any political reasons, but because I don't think English-speakers outside Spain would know what you were referring to.
The link below is to the BBC's website and they use 'Basque country'. From what I can see they don't use 'Euskadi' at all.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/548545.stm
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Note added at 16 mins (2004-02-04 12:47:08 GMT)
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I suppose it depends on the type of document you\'re working on. If it were pro-nationalist there would be good reason to use \'Euskadi\', but if it\'s a general-interest text I would definitely use \'Basque country\'.
The link below is to the BBC's website and they use 'Basque country'. From what I can see they don't use 'Euskadi' at all.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/548545.stm
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Note added at 16 mins (2004-02-04 12:47:08 GMT)
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I suppose it depends on the type of document you\'re working on. If it were pro-nationalist there would be good reason to use \'Euskadi\', but if it\'s a general-interest text I would definitely use \'Basque country\'.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Gordana Podvezanec
49 mins
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Thanks Gordana
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| agree |
RafaLee
: I totally agree with you, James
8 hrs
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Thanks Rafa
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3 hrs
Maria Luisa Duarte
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Spain
Professional, Reliable & Committed
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, Portuguese
Works in: English to Portuguese, French to Spanish, Portuguese to Spanish, and 7 more.
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Euskalerria (Basque Country)
P. Villasante says that the Basques, in calling themselves "Euskaldunak" (those who speak Basque [Euskera]) and the country "Euskalerria",
But let’s start at the beginning: What is the Basque Country? The Basque Country, or Euskadi in the Basque language, is one of 17 autonomous Spanish communities, as stated in the current constitution in force in Spain. The Basque Country is made up of three provinces: Álava, Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya. Since the creation of the Spanish state, back in the times of the Catholic kings, the Basque Country has belonged to Spain. In fact, never in the history of this people has it been an independent state, or has it even had a historic reign like that of the Foral Community of Navarra. Nonetheless, despite having never been a separate country, in Basque Country there exist several nationalist parties that want total independence of this region, together with other historic territories. And according to the nationalists there are seven, not three, Basque provinces. To the three provinces that make up the Basque Country currently, the nationalists add Navarra and three French provinces: Lapurdi, Zuberoa and Lower Navarra. That is, the concept of a complete Euskadi would be more extensive. It would be called Euskalerria and it would embrace the current Basque Country of Spain, the Foral Community of Navarra and the French Basque Country. For the nationalists, Euskalerria must be independent.
But let’s start at the beginning: What is the Basque Country? The Basque Country, or Euskadi in the Basque language, is one of 17 autonomous Spanish communities, as stated in the current constitution in force in Spain. The Basque Country is made up of three provinces: Álava, Guipúzcoa and Vizcaya. Since the creation of the Spanish state, back in the times of the Catholic kings, the Basque Country has belonged to Spain. In fact, never in the history of this people has it been an independent state, or has it even had a historic reign like that of the Foral Community of Navarra. Nonetheless, despite having never been a separate country, in Basque Country there exist several nationalist parties that want total independence of this region, together with other historic territories. And according to the nationalists there are seven, not three, Basque provinces. To the three provinces that make up the Basque Country currently, the nationalists add Navarra and three French provinces: Lapurdi, Zuberoa and Lower Navarra. That is, the concept of a complete Euskadi would be more extensive. It would be called Euskalerria and it would embrace the current Basque Country of Spain, the Foral Community of Navarra and the French Basque Country. For the nationalists, Euskalerria must be independent.
Discussion