palabras de a centavo

17:20 Oct 17, 2014
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere

Spanish to English translations [Non-PRO]
Esoteric practices / metaphysics, meditation, spirituality
Spanish term or phrase: palabras de a centavo
"Palabras de a centavo" is the title of a book by Conny Méndez. I am looking for a general phrase that describes what this means so that I can cite the title in Spanish but give the reader an idea of what this book is called in parentheses.

http://www.amazon.com/Palabras-Centavo-Reflexionanado-Reflec...

I have tried "words worth a penny", however author (of another book that mentions Conny's book) does not like this translation. The book I am translating is about meditation, the Ascended Masters, and the I AM Presence.
Alicia Añino
Local time: 10:02


Summary of answers provided
4 +1simple words
Charles Davis
3Words and Pennies
George Rabel
2Words Penyeach
DLyons
Summary of reference entries provided
Different Ideas
Chris Maddux

Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Words and Pennies


Explanation:
Too bad the author does not like "Words worth a penny." I cannot think of a better translation for the title. Maybe the editor will have better sense and accept your translation. Here are a couple of alternatives:

A Penny for Your Thoughts
Priceless words
Pennywords
Words and Pennies
Conny's Pennies
Pennies from Conny

George Rabel
Local time: 10:02
Native speaker of: Spanish
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22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
Words Penyeach


Explanation:
Based on Joyce.
http://www.james-joyce-music.com/pomes_penyeach.html

DLyons
Ireland
Local time: 14:02
Works in field
Native speaker of: English
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
simple words


Explanation:
Since what you want is something that will convey what the title means, rather than what an English version of the book might be called, I suggest this. It abandons the centavo/penny image entirely, but then it's hard to think of an English expression that keeps that image and conveys the sense.

What she means is explained here:

"Ante todo quiero decirles que, como muchos de ustedes saben, yo hablo en lo que suelo llamar palabras de a centavo porque quiero que todo el mundo comprenda lo que es la Metafísica, desde los niños de diez años en adelante. Por eso hablo en palabras de a centavo. No tengo pretensiones literarias, ni vuelos de retórica;ésa es la primera razón. Y la segunda es, mis amigos, que estamos en la Era Apocalíptica y es recomendableque no exista más ocultismo."
https://es.scribd.com/doc/3231342/Conny-Mendez-Metafisica-4-...

So "palabras de a centavo" are simply words that even a child can understand, without literary pretensions.


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Note added at 5 hrs (2014-10-17 22:38:21 GMT)
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So it's actually got nothing to do with pennies or centavos; it's just a way of saying modest or unpretentious. It refers to the kind of language she chooses to use.

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Note added at 17 hrs (2014-10-18 10:28:26 GMT)
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Most phrases using "penny" for "centavo", such as your own "words worth a penny", will imply that the words are of little value or cheap, which is not the right idea.

Charles Davis
Spain
Local time: 15:02
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jennifer Levey: There's now't like a bit of research, eh?
5 mins
  -> I'm a bit partial to it, I must say. Thanks, Robin!
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Reference comments


13 mins
Reference: Different Ideas

Reference information:
Penny for your thoughts...

My two cents worth....

Chris Maddux
United States
Native speaker of: English
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