random post

[cmeador]

I just opened a new roll of paper towels and noticed that the labeling on the wrapper is in both English and Spanish. I'm not bothered by the fact that it has two languages, but this one in particular makes me curious

Comments

[queuebert]

It's all about picking the translation that sounds natural. While Spanish undoubtedly can say it exactly that way, it might sound like an unnatural construction. I see a lot of "home-brew" translations and it really is an art... those who translate literally tend to be antagonizing to read, while those who take the time to deliver the right meaning but in a way that "works" in English are more pleasant to read.

Or possibly, in this case maybe a literal translation of "One sheet keeps working" is a perfectly natural construction in Spanish, but the manufacturer probably have a Spanish marketing team (or maybe just one guy, if his only job is to translate paper towel slogans) as well as English because they have research data that shows it's cost-effective to do so.

[cmeador]

Yeah, I figure that's the case.

We have Spanish translations of some of the products (standardized testing) where I work and we had some trouble last year with overly-literal translations weren't entirely appropriate. We have a new vendor this year and they are very careful to make sure that the translation is as natural in the alternative language as it was in the original.

In this case I just thought it was kinda quirky and an excuse to make an LJ entry after so many weeks of silence.

[betacentauri]

I think it's really just another cultural difference, many of which are often reflected in the language. I don't think it's cliqueish or intentionally leaving out nonmembers, just a result of having different histories and perspectives.

[att4ck_k1tten]

As far as I know, Spanish doesn't use the construction "keeps working."

I think generally they use the common idioms of the respective languages.

[mikadochimu]

in spanish, if I wanted to say that a dude was boner-worthy, I'd say "Guapo, pero Guapo eh?" Repetition is frequently used as an emphatic grammar tool. and junk.