Sep 19, 2020 10:56
3 yrs ago
56 viewers *
Spanish term
si no está de acuerdo (2nd person or 3rd person?)
Spanish to English
Bus/Financial
Business/Commerce (general)
website terms and conditions
This is for UK English speakers, please.
And before people start down-voting this as "non Pro", I am not asking for meaning here (I do understand the text!).
Instead, I am asking for a general opinion about whether I should refer to the user in the second or third person. There is a tendency in modern British English business texts to be warmer and more personal by talking about "you". However, I wonder if that would be taking things too far in the context of a website's terms and conditions.
So for "por todo lo anteriormente mencionado, por lo que, si no está de acuerdo con todo ello, no debe usar este Sitio Web", should I go for "therefore, if he/she does not agree to all of the above, he/she should not use this Website" (a bit stiff and clunky) or "therefore, if you do not agree to all of the above, you should not use this Website" (warmer, more approachable but is it "legal" enough?).
What is the general consensus, please?
Thanks!
"Al utilizar este Sitio Web o al hacer y/o solicitar la adquisición de un producto y/o servicio a través del mismo el Usuario consiente quedar vinculado por estas Condiciones y por todo lo anteriormente mencionado, por lo que, si no está de acuerdo con todo ello, no debe usar este Sitio Web."
And before people start down-voting this as "non Pro", I am not asking for meaning here (I do understand the text!).
Instead, I am asking for a general opinion about whether I should refer to the user in the second or third person. There is a tendency in modern British English business texts to be warmer and more personal by talking about "you". However, I wonder if that would be taking things too far in the context of a website's terms and conditions.
So for "por todo lo anteriormente mencionado, por lo que, si no está de acuerdo con todo ello, no debe usar este Sitio Web", should I go for "therefore, if he/she does not agree to all of the above, he/she should not use this Website" (a bit stiff and clunky) or "therefore, if you do not agree to all of the above, you should not use this Website" (warmer, more approachable but is it "legal" enough?).
What is the general consensus, please?
Thanks!
"Al utilizar este Sitio Web o al hacer y/o solicitar la adquisición de un producto y/o servicio a través del mismo el Usuario consiente quedar vinculado por estas Condiciones y por todo lo anteriormente mencionado, por lo que, si no está de acuerdo con todo ello, no debe usar este Sitio Web."
Proposed translations
(English)
| 5 +9 | You (second person) |
Gareth Rhys-Jones López
|
| 5 | third person |
Paul García
|
References
| An example |
Helena Chavarria
|
Proposed translations
+9
2 mins
Gareth Rhys-Jones López
Spain
Spain
Native in Spanish
&
English
Specializes in field
Spain
Translator/Transcreator/Subtitler
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
, Spanish (Variant: Standard-Spain)
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish, Spanish, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
Selected
You (second person)
It's what I've seen used. Notice you're speaking directly to the reader.
Note from asker:
| Thanks all, this has been really helpful. I always aim for contemporary, accessible and plain English, but sometimes I worry about straying too far from the formality of many Spanish texts - especially if they are of a legal nature. But this is a B2C website so a more accessible form seems right and natural. The resounding support here for the less formal and simple "you" is providing wind under my wings! Many thanks. |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks everyone - very helpful to have your endorsement of second person in these texts. And especially grateful to Helen Chavarria for the great examples."
3 hrs
Paul García
United States
United States
Native in Spanish
&
English
Specializes in field
United States
calidad y rapidez / quality and speed
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish
Related KudoZ points
:
12
third person
Register. Taking into consideration the elevated, legalistic style of the rest of the text, register.
Reference comments
6 hrs
Helena Chavarria
Spain
Spain
Native in English
Specializes in field
Spain
Striving for excellence
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: Spanish to English, Catalan to English
Related KudoZ points
:
106
Reference:
An example
From Marks and Spencer's website
By accessing, browsing, using, registering with, or placing an order on the Website, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions in their entirety, please do not use this Website.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/help/legal-and-ethical-pol...
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Note added at 7 hrs (2020-09-19 17:56:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Morrisons
We revise our terms of use from time to time. You should regularly check for changes we make to these terms of use. If you do not agree with them, you should stop using our website.
https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/scontent/termsOfUse
Sainsbury's
Please read this agreement carefully. These represent the terms and conditions for using this service. If you do not agree to these, you may not use this Website.
https://help.sainsburys.co.uk/help/website/terms-conditions-...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2020-09-19 18:01:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
WH Smith
Meaning of Key Words
"We", "us, "our", means WHSmith.co.uk
"You", "your" means the person ordering products under these terms and conditions.
"Working days" means all days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays.
"Product" means the product or products you have ordered from us.
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/help/our-policies/website-terms-an...
By accessing, browsing, using, registering with, or placing an order on the Website, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to these Terms and Conditions in their entirety. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions in their entirety, please do not use this Website.
https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/help/legal-and-ethical-pol...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2020-09-19 17:56:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Morrisons
We revise our terms of use from time to time. You should regularly check for changes we make to these terms of use. If you do not agree with them, you should stop using our website.
https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/scontent/termsOfUse
Sainsbury's
Please read this agreement carefully. These represent the terms and conditions for using this service. If you do not agree to these, you may not use this Website.
https://help.sainsburys.co.uk/help/website/terms-conditions-...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 hrs (2020-09-19 18:01:46 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
WH Smith
Meaning of Key Words
"We", "us, "our", means WHSmith.co.uk
"You", "your" means the person ordering products under these terms and conditions.
"Working days" means all days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays.
"Product" means the product or products you have ordered from us.
https://www.whsmith.co.uk/help/our-policies/website-terms-an...
Note from asker:
| Many thanks Helena, they are useful references. |
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