Archive for the 'Did you know?' Category

The Meaning of Piola

Published on May 9, 2012 in Did you know? and Lunfardo. 0 Comments

Argentine Spanish is strewn with words and colorful phrases from Lunfardo, a rich vocabulary born on the streets ofBuenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. Now considered a fixture of the Spanish language inArgentina (especially in and aroundBuenos Aires) andUruguay, linguists cite the use of Lunfardo as a defining characteristic of the Rioplatense dialect. Add a dash of Argentine flavor to your Spanish vocabulary with the Transpanish blog’s ongoing feature highlighting some of the most frequently used terms in Lunfardo.

In Lunfardo, the word “piola” takes on a number of meanings, but it generally refers to someone who is clever, crafty or astute. Piola can also be used to describe someone who’s nice or friendly, calm or relaxed in nature, or something that’s cool or great.

When piola is paired with the verb quedarse, the phrase takes the meaning “to be/stay/keep cool.” The phrase hacerse el piola is also used, an expression that means to pretend to be/make like one is clever.

Related words in Lunfardo:

noun piolada: 1 cleverness 2 a case where one personally benefits from a situation without considering how others will be affected

Usage example: Mi amigo es muy piola. Seguro que te va a dar buenos consejos. // My friend is quite clever. Surely he’ll give you good advice.

The 1975 song Patente de piola by Eladia Blázquez features the word “piola” in the title and lyrics.

PATENTE DE PIOLA

La gente hace rato, no quiere más lola,
Con los avivados llamados los piolas
Y ni por asomo entres en su ley,
Porque de los plomos el piola es el rey.

Cuidado muchachos con tanta ranada,
Porque no nos hace ninguna gauchada
Y eso que parece risueño y pueril,
Puede ser a veces patente de gil.

El que nada en la piolada,
Vos sabés, se puede ahogar
En la clásica bobada de faltar
O de sobrar,

Pero para el porteño flor,
Es un loco berretín,
Un glorioso antecedente
De ocurrente y de pillín.

En la maratón del piola nadie cola quiere ser,
En el ranking del canchero, él primero y vos después.
Yo no se quién lo embarcó en la estupidez genial
La que él piensa que es señor, cuando es un chanta nacional.

Que aunque nadie le dé bola, él es piola y nada más.

Que loca manía que tiene el porteño,
Cuanta fantasía, que inútil empeño,
Muestra complacido, en cada ocasión
Que está recibido de vivo y piolón.

Un candor ingenuo lo caracteriza,
Y aquel que lo juna, se mata de risa.
Vive pregonando que raja de más
Y lo ven jadeando llegar siempre atrás.

El que nada en la piolada, vos sabés, se puede ahogar,
En la clásica bobada de faltar o de sobrar,

Pero para el porteño flor,
Es un loco berretín,
Un glorioso antecedente
De ocurrente y de pillín.

Que aunque nadie le dé bola, él es piola y nada más.

Latinos Spend More Time on Social Media than Other Groups

Published on April 17, 2012 in Did you know? and Latinos. 0 Comments

According to a market research study conducted by BIGinsight in February 2012, U.S. Hispanics spend significantly more time on social media than the average American Internet user. On any given day, 26.8% of Latino users are active on social media sites for upwards of six hours, while just 8.5% of all Internet users spend that amount of time on social media. While the big players like Facebook and Twitter garner plenty of attention from Latino users, interestingly, Hispanics are also more willing to visit some of the smaller social media sites such as Pinterest, foursquare and LinkedIn. For example, while just 4.9% of white users reported visiting LinkedIn on a daily basis, 15.5% of U.S. Hispanics log in to the site at least once a day. Understanding the social media usage patterns of Latino Internet users is vital to connecting with this key demographic and to creating meaningful relationships with customers.

For more information, take a look at this article by eMarketer.

The Absence of Certified Translators in the U.S. and Implications for Translation Buyers

Published on March 27, 2012 in Did you know?, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators and Translation Buyers. 1 Comment

Unlike most European and Latin American countries, licensure or certification for translators does not exist within the United States, neither at the federal nor the state level. In the case of interpreters, a program does exist to certify individuals so that they may work within the federal court system; however, interpreters in other fields are not subject to this certification process. Although there’s no official certification program for U.S. translators, they may seek accreditation through professional organizations such as the American Translators Association (ATA), which rigorously test translators before granting them a “seal of approval.” Without a formal certification scheme—and thus a lack of assurances regarding a translator’s competence—many agencies have developed their own certification procedures to vet potential translators.

In other parts of the world, only certified translators may translate certain types of documents, such as legal or medical texts, for example. However, in the United States, translators are not required to be certified or licensed in order to provide a certified translation. Any translators willing to take an oath before a notary public, attesting to the accuracy of the translation and their qualifications to translate to and from a specific language pair, can offer clients certified translations.

Unfortunately, the absence of certification for language professionals in the U.S. means that nearly anyone, regardless of experience, education or aptitude, can pose as a translator. In addition, many translators refer to themselves as “certified” in an attempt to increase their marketability. Given that there’s no licensure or certification program in the United States, it’s wise to question the qualifications of those claiming to be certified translators (i.e. who certified them?). It’s important to note that there are many highly qualified, experienced translators who are neither accredited nor certified by a particular institution.
What can translation buyers do given the lack of translator credentialing programs in the U.S.?

Inquire as to whether the translator is accredited by a professional organization for translators.
Thoroughly check the translator’s references.
Work with a translation agency that has taken the time to put together a trusted team of qualified translators.

Latinos and the 2012 Elections

Published on February 22, 2012 in Did you know?, Latinos and News. 0 Comments

As the 2012 U.S. elections draw ever closer, some candidates scramble to curry favor with influential Latino voters while others have dismissed the Hispanic vote altogether. However, the impact of the Latino vote in this year’s elections cannot be ignored by those seeking office, as Latino voters’ say at the ballot box will make or break competitive Senate races and decide who ascends to the office of president (or remains there) for the next four years.

The flexibility of the Latino vote means that this crucial demographic could swing either way politically in this year’s election. Most Republican candidates have firmly taken an anti-immigrant stance, and many of the party’s key priorities fail to resonate with Latinos. Nonetheless, President Obama hasn’t come through on important campaign promises to the Hispanic community and has, in fact, distanced himself from many in the demographic by increasing the number of deportations.

Immigration is the key issue for Latino voters. A recent poll conducted by Univision News revealed immigration reform as the number one concern for registered Hispanic voters, followed closely by jobs and the economy. Even when voters find that they agree with a candidate’s take on economic issues, they are less likely to vote for that candidate if he supports restrictive immigration policies.

In spite of a tremendous push to register Latino voters in 2008 and 2010, only some 60% of Latino adults are registered to vote, in comparison with 70% of blacks and 74% of whites. So, while the Latino population is experiencing dramatic growth, the influence of the Hispanic demographic on the 2012 election could be even greater than expected if voter registration drives result in more Latinos on the rolls.

The Latino community is engaged and energized ahead of these elections. Organizations such as The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Mi Familia Vota are working hard to register every eligible Latino voter and to encourage Hispanic turnout at this year’s election, which is predicted to be 25% higher than in the previous presidential election.

The Meaning of “Atorrante”

Published on August 12, 2011 in Did you know?, Languages, Lunfardo, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators and Translation Buyers. 0 Comments

Argentine Spanish is strewn with words and colorful phrases from Lunfardo, a rich vocabulary born on the streets of Buenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. Now considered a fixture of the Spanish language in Argentina (especially in and around Buenos Aires) and Uruguay, linguists cite the use of Lunfardo as a defining characteristic of the Rioplatense dialect. Add a dash of Argentine flavor to your Spanish vocabulary with the Transpanish blog’s ongoing feature highlighting some of the most frequently used terms in Lunfardo.

In Lunfardo, the word “atorrante” commonly refers to one who avoids work and other responsibilities or one who lacks honesty and respect, with concern only for his own personal gain. In addition, atorrante carries the following meanings:

When used to describe a man or a woman (atorranta in the case of a female) – scum, bum, tramp, layabout, crook, slacker, good-for-nothing, naughty, cheeky
When used to describe a woman – whore, slut, easy, promiscuous
When used to describe a child – prankster, mischievous, cheeky
When used to describe an animal – mutt

The origin of the word “atorrante” is uncertain; however, there are two widely held explanations as to its etymological roots.

(1) It’s said that in the early 20^th century, vagabonds and indigents slept inside huge cement pipes being installed for an important public works project in the City of Buenos Aires. Allegedly, the French-made pipes were emblazoned with the name of the manufacturer A. Torrent, and the men spending the night in these pipes gained the moniker “atorrantes” as a result.

(2) At the turn of the 20^th century, unemployed men who came looking for work at general stores were offered the job of roasting coffee beans (to roast/toast = torrar). The raggedy-looking folks given this task later came to be known as atorrantes.

Related words in Lunfardo:

atorrantear – to loiter; to go out and have fun, especially at night; to go out in search of someone to have sex with

atorrar – to sleep

The word “atorrante” appears in the lyrics of popular 70s tune “Cara de tramposo” by Argentine pop and tango singer Cacho Castaña.

Cara de tramposo

Cara de tramposo y ojos de atorrante
con el pelo largo y la lengua picante

Dejó la Argentina buscando horizontes
en un viejo barco fue de polizonte
en tierras lejanas buscando fortuna

How Translators Can Protect Their Vision

Published on June 18, 2011 in Did you know? and Tips for Translators. 0 Comments

Translators spend hours and hours each day plugging away at their work in front of a flickering computer screen. The pressure of deadlines often leads translators – and other professionals who work long hours in front of a monitor – to sit for extended periods without resting their eyesight. Unfortunately, this unhealthy behavior may lead to permanent damage to your vision, including the eye disorder glaucoma.

In addition to heavy computer use, screen flicker rate, glare, reflections and/or a poorly lit work environment place stress on your vision. This visual stress may manifest itself as eyestrain, headaches, blurred vision, dryness or irritation of the eyes, double vision, or trouble seeing at a distance after a prolonged session in front of the computer.

So, what can translation professionals do to protect their vision? Eye exercises, modifications to your workstation, regular breaks, and appropriate lighting are all steps you can take to avoid the symptoms listed above and maintain good eye health. Get more excellent tips for preventing and relieving computer eyestrain here.

Most endangered languages in the World

Published on June 6, 2011 in Did you know?, Languages and Tips for Translators. 1 Comment

An endangered language is defined as any language that children will probably not be speaking them in 100 years. Here are the top ten most at risk languages:

1. Apiaca: Brazil

This language and way of life is threatened by the gradual creep of Portuguese into the Mato Grosso region. In 2007, the language only appeared to have one remaining speaker. This in spite of an ethnic population hovering around 192 people.

2. Bikya: Cameroon

This language might actually be extinct without ethnographers knowing it. The last contact with the only known Biyka speaker occurred in 1986. The remaining speaker also happened to be the last known Bikya in the country.

3. Taje: Sulawesi

This Austronesian language, also known as Petapa, was apparently only spoken by one person in 2000. It’s entirely plausible that it may have passed into extinction since then, but no linguist or ethnographer knows for certain.

4. Dampelas: Sulawesi

UNESCO claims that only one of the 10,300 Dampelas peoples spoke the Austronesian language as of 2000, meaning it may very well be extinct by now.

5. Diahoi: Brazil

As of 2006, there was only one Diahoi speaker in the world. Hailing from the Amazon region of Brazil, Diahoi is also known as Jiahui, Jahoi, Djahui, Diahkoi and Diarroi. Because of the isolated location, linguists and ethnographers don’t know for certain whether or not the language has become officially extinct.

Continue reading in The Telegraph

Lunfardo: What Does “Guita” Mean?

Published on April 28, 2011 in Did you know?, Languages, Lunfardo, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators and Translation Buyers. 0 Comments

Argentine Spanish is strewn with words and colorful phrases from Lunfardo, a rich vocabulary born on the streets of Buenos Aires in the second half of the 19th century. Now considered a fixture of the Spanish language in Argentina (especially in and around Buenos Aires) and Uruguay, linguists cite the use of Lunfardo as a defining characteristic of the Rioplatense dialect. Add a dash of Argentine flavor to your Spanish vocabulary with the Transpanish blog’s ongoing feature highlighting some of the most frequently used terms in Lunfardo.

The Meaning of Guita

In Lunfardo, the word “guita” means “money” or “cash.” The word “dinero” (money) is not frequently heard in Argentina, with speakers tending to favor the word “plata” instead. The term “guita” is in widespread use throughout Argentina. In addition to guita, you may run across the words “mango,” “vento,” “sope” (a reversal of the syllables in the word “peso”), and “mosca” in a discussion about money. Also the word “guita” is equivalent to cent or “peso” (Argentine currency).

The word “guita” turns up in the lyrics of the tango “Al mundo le falta un tornillo” by José María Aguilar and Enrique Cadícamo

Todo el mundo está en la estufa,
Triste, amargao y sin garufa,
neurasténico y cortao…
Se acabaron los robustos,
si hasta yo, que daba gusto,
¡cuatro kilos he bajao!
Hoy no hay guita ni de asalto
y el puchero está tan alto
que hay que usar el trampolín.
Si habrá crisis, bronca y hambre,
que el que compra diez de fiambre
hoy se morfa hasta el piolín.

Hoy se vive de prepo
y se duerme apurao.
Y la chiva hasta a Cristo
se la han afeitao…
Hoy se lleva a empeñar
al amigo más fiel,
nadie invita a morfar…

…

Also read
Linguistic Features of Rioplatense (River Plate) Spanish
Lunfardo: Money Talk
The meaning of yeta
Meaning of “pibe”

Celebrate Spanish Language Day!

Published on April 23, 2011 in Did you know?, Languages and Spanish Language. 0 Comments

Lovers of Spanish, did you know there’s a special day set aside to honor your favorite language? Observed throughout the Spanish-speaking world, Spanish Language Day (El Día del Idioma Español) – celebrated on April 23 – aims to highlight the richness and vitality of the Spanish language. Cultural centers and libraries throughout Spain and Latin America will mark the occasion with readings, films, storytelling, book fairs, and children’s workshops throughout the day.

The date chosen for Spanish Language Day commemorates the death of one of the most significant and best-known Spanish language authors, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Literary scholars consider Don Quixote, Cervantes’ classic work penned in the 17th century, to be one of the most important pieces of fiction of all time.

El Día del Idioma Español dates back to 1926, when Valencian writer Vicente Clavel Andrés first proposed the idea of a special day dedicated to celebrating literature. The tradition began in Valencia and gradually spread throughout all of Spain. In 1964, the celebration was adopted by all Spanish-speaking countries.

Some useful articles:
Linguistic Features of Rioplatense (River Plate) Spanish
The Future of Spanish in the United States
Spanish in the World
New Spanish Spelling Reforms from the RAE
Castilian Spanish Versus Latin American Spanish
The Influence of Arabic on the Spanish Language
10 Free Online Resources for Spanish Language Learners

The Languages of Spain

Published on March 5, 2011 in Did you know?, Latinos, Spanish Language, Spanish Translation, Tips for Translators and Translation Buyers. 0 Comments

The first language that springs to mind when one thinks of Spain is – not surprisingly – Castilian Spanish, the country’s official language. However, there are actually a number of other languages and dialects spoken there, a few of which have attainted co-official status in certain regions: Catalan/Valencian, Basque, Galician, and Aranese.

Here’s a brief snapshot of some of the languages spoken in Spain.

Castilian Spanish

Castilian Spanish – so named for its roots in the region of Castile – emerged from Spain’s many regional languages and dialects to become the primary language of the nation. Castilian Spanish was later brought to the New World through the colonization efforts of the Spanish, where the language enjoyed widespread adoption throughout the Americas.

Catalan/Valencian

Catalan, a Romance language spoken in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands, currently boasts some 12 million speakers. Catalan has achieved broad usage as an everyday language in these areas. The language has become the medium of instruction in a number of schools, and it’s utilized to a large extent in government administration and the media. The version of the language spoken in the Community of Valencia is known as Valencian. Though some Valencians contest that their language is separate from Catalan, the majority of linguists consider it a dialect.

Galician

Spoken by approximately three million people in the northwest corner of Spain, Galician shares many linguistic features with Portuguese. The two languages are more or less mutually intelligible, but Galician relies on Spanish orthographic conventions. In fact, scholars have been debating for some time as to whether Galician and Portuguese are actually two distinct languages or just dialects of the same language.

Basque

Linguists consider the Basque language, spoken in the north of Spain in Basque Country, a language isolate (i.e. a language with no known linguistic relationship to another language). As such, Basque shares virtually zero mutual intelligibility with Castilian Spanish and the other languages of Spain, which all belong to the Romance language family.

Aranese

Aranese – a language spoken in the Aran Valley of Catalonia in northeastern Spain – shares co-official status with Catalan in that region. Approximately 90% of those living in the Aran Valley can understand Aranese, and some 65% of inhabitants can speak the language.

Read Differences between Latin American Spanish and Castilian Spanish.

Archive for the 'Did you know?' Category

The Meaning of Piola

Latinos Spend More Time on Social Media than Other Groups

The Absence of Certified Translators in the U.S. and Implications for Translation Buyers

Latinos and the 2012 Elections

The Meaning of “Atorrante”

How Translators Can Protect Their Vision

Most endangered languages in the World

Lunfardo: What Does “Guita” Mean?

Celebrate Spanish Language Day!

The Languages of Spain

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