Foul language, swear words, should we translate this or simply refuse? - English Spanish Translator Org: Translation Forum � Translators Forums

exxc�ntrica · 05-09-2008, 12:26 PM

This issue came up on this thread:

http://www.english-spanish-translato...rbon-mean.html

Somebody asked to translate "cacho cabrón" and Kelly said this:

Quote:

We don't have to translate something just because someone requests it. We have to draw the line somewhere! danecao's requests are in very bad taste, and downright offensive. A thousand little red squares (bad reports) to this kind of postings!

I agree with her in general terms, concerning explicit pornographic material. In any case, I suppose if you are a pro, it's not so easy to decide.

this is my opinion:

Quote:

Hi Kelly, I generally agree with you on posts with foul language or pornographic sentences or such, but this particular wording can be something VERY friendly in Spain!!

I believe in Mexico too. So we are not talking about pornographic material or bad taste here. In Spain, swearing is a part of the culture. Even my mother in law swears!

I understand that this is not the same in other cultures.

In any case, on a forum, the solution is very easy. Don't get into these posts if they offend you. I do not find simple swearing offensive.

What do you think? Should we translate any kind of material? What about swear words? In Spain this is part of the culture. EVERYBODY swears!

What about posts like the above, do they offend you?

hugocar · 05-10-2008, 08:43 AM

I am a translator, and I translate whatever text is given to me.
I have nothing to do with the contents of the text. I have no authority to edit or audit the text.
On the other side, people use swear words in their ordinary language.
Many great literary works contain swear words.
I think that it is childish to refuse their translation.

exxc�ntrica · 05-10-2008, 02:18 PM

I agree with you completely, hugo.

but what do you think about translating, or helping to translate, here on teh forum? should we refuse to help with foul language??

I think right out po*rn material should not be allowed. I actually deleted part of a post like that the other day. Probably you will not agree with me.

I wonder what you and others think...

hugocar · 05-10-2008, 03:35 PM

Exxc�ntrica, I think one should evaluate the reason for the use of foul language. If the intention is offensive, it should not be allowed. If it is only a means of stressing an idea, I can accept it.
However, I understand that the post is about TRANSLATING foul language, and not about using it in the forum.

vicente · 05-10-2008, 03:43 PM

This is a translation forum not a chatroom. There are many, many words in Spanish...and I imagine just as many in English...that a lot of us do not understand and any professional translator should know every word he possibly can.

I believe, danecao was translating a movie script and if the script has foul language in it, he did not put it there, yet he has a responsibility to translate the words accurately.

Words are only words. If they are not directed at you as insults then they should not bother you. Anybody who is offended by vulgar language will have a tough time watching movies and television in the U.S.

I don't like vulgarity but I certainly want to know what the words mean if I ever hear them so I think it is perfectly proper to learn them in a translation forum such as this.

Exx is right. If you don't like the language then simply leave the thread but don't try to censor the entire forum.

mem286 · 05-10-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicente

This is a translation forum not a chatroom. There are many, many words in Spanish...and I imagine just as many in English...that a lot of us do not understand and any professional translator should know every word he possibly can.

I believe, danecao was translating a movie script and if the script has foul language in it, he did not put it there, yet he has a responsibility to translate the words accurately.

Words are only words. If they are not directed at you as insults then they should not bother you. Anybody who is offended by vulgar language will have a tough time watching movies and television in the U.S.

I don't like vulgarity but I certainly want to know what the words mean if I ever hear them so I think it is perfectly proper to learn them in a translation forum such as this.

Exx is right. If you don't like the language then simply leave the thread but don't try to censor the entire forum.
__________________
vicente

Sorry guys, but I have to say it again...VICENTE, YOU ARE MY BIBLE!!! JAJAJA... I agree with you... every single word...

I guess this thread was in the slang section... We can ask the Administrator if there is the possibility to flag this kind of post someway so that people who could feel offended would not even read that thread because they are already warned, something like: "This thread contains adult language or offensive language"...

Danecao never meant to be offensive to us... he was working. Personally, I don't feel confortable answering that kind of post, but I would certainly send him a PM with the translation... no big deal...

exxc�ntrica · 05-11-2008, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mem286

Sorry guys, but I have to say it again...VICENTE, YOU ARE MY BIBLE!!!

Yes S I R E!!!!!!!

Quote:

I guess this thread was in the slang section... We can ask the Administrator if there is the possibility to flag this kind of post someway so that people who could feel offended would not even read that thread because they are already warned, something like: "This thread contains adult language or offensive language"...

I think this is splendid idea!!! Can this be done??? I was the one who suggested Danecao to ask for private help, I thought the given text was a ...joke?? I might have misinterpreted...

In any case, this flagging system would be a wonderful idea.

Leslie M · 05-11-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exxc�ntrica

Yes S I R E!!!!!!!

I think this is splendid idea!!! Can this be done??? I was the one who suggested Danecao to ask for private help, I thought the given text was a ...joke?? I might have misinterpreted...

In any case, this flagging system would be a wonderful idea.

HOLA A TODOS! WORDS ARE NOT DIRTY NOR PRNO. WE MAKE THEM SO WITH THE EMOTIONS AND CONCEPTS ATTACHED TO THEM BY OUR CULTURE AND EXPERIENCE WHICH WE ACCEPT AND STICK IN OUR MIND CUBICLES. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CONDEMN SOME WORDS, HERE ARE SOME YOU MIGHT CONSIDER. (I PRESUME THEY ARE ALLOWED IN THIS FORUM-SOMETIMES I FEEL I AM WALKING ON THIN ICE HERE) THEY ARE:
WAR, GREED, VANITY,MORON,KILL,MY COUNTRY IS BETTER THAN YOURS,
MY GOD IS BETTER THAN YOURS AND OTHER WORDS THAT ALL KNOW AND USE EVERY DAY AND SOCIETY AND THE VARIOUS FORUMS APPROVE.THINK ABOUT IT.

IUS · 05-11-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leslie M

HOLA A TODOS! WORDS ARE NOT DIRTY NOR PRNO. WE MAKE THEM SO WITH THE EMOTIONS AND CONCEPTS ATTACHED TO THEM BY OUR CULTURE AND EXPERIENCE WHICH WE ACCEPT AND STICK IN OUR MIND CUBICLES. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO CONDEMN SOME WORDS, HERE ARE SOME YOU MIGHT CONSIDER. (I PRESUME THEY ARE ALLOWED IN THIS FORUM-SOMETIMES I FEEL I AM WALKING ON THIN ICE HERE) THEY ARE:
WAR, GREED, VANITY,MORON,KILL,MY COUNTRY IS BETTER THAN YOURS,
MY GOD IS BETTER THAN YOURS AND OTHER WORDS THAT ALL KNOW AND USE EVERY DAY AND SOCIETY AND THE VARIOUS FORUMS APPROVE.THINK ABOUT IT.

Hi Leslie, Just FYI the words now allowed in these forums are not allowed for a Spam protection reason.

IUS · 05-11-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugocar

Exxc�ntrica, I think one should evaluate the reason for the use of foul language. If the intention is offensive, it should not be allowed. If it is only a means of stressing an idea, I can accept it.
However, I understand that the post is about TRANSLATING foul language, and not about using it in the forum.

Agree with that.

05-10-2008, 08:43 AM	#2
hugocar Contributing User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Caracas Posts: 137 Rep Power: 281	Swear words I am a translator, and I translate whatever text is given to me. I have nothing to do with the contents of the text. I have no authority to edit or audit the text. On the other side, people use swear words in their ordinary language. Many great literary works contain swear words. I think that it is childish to refuse their translation.

05-10-2008, 02:18 PM	#3
exxc�ntrica Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spain Posts: 1,146 Rep Power: 1148	I agree with you completely, hugo. but what do you think about translating, or helping to translate, here on teh forum? should we refuse to help with foul language?? I think right out porn material should not be allowed. I actually deleted part of a post like that the other day. Probably you will not agree with me. I wonder what you and others think... __________________ �Los hombres son superiores a las mujeres porque Al� les otorg� la primacia sobre ellas. Portanto, di� a los varones el doble de lo que di� a las mujeres. Los maridos que sufrieran desobediencia de sus mujeres pueden castigarlas: abandonarlas en sus lechos, e incluso golpearlas. No se leg� al hombre mayor calamidad que la mujer." El Cor�n (libro sagrado de los musulmanes, recitado por Al� a Maom� en el siglo VI)*

05-10-2008, 03:35 PM	#4
hugocar Contributing User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Caracas Posts: 137 Rep Power: 281	Foul language Exxc�ntrica, I think one should evaluate the reason for the use of foul language. If the intention is offensive, it should not be allowed. If it is only a means of stressing an idea, I can accept it. However, I understand that the post is about TRANSLATING foul language, and not about using it in the forum.

05-10-2008, 03:43 PM	#5
vicente Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 599 Rep Power: 1079	This is a translation forum not a chatroom. There are many, many words in Spanish...and I imagine just as many in English...that a lot of us do not understand and any professional translator should know every word he possibly can. I believe, danecao was translating a movie script and if the script has foul language in it, he did not put it there, yet he has a responsibility to translate the words accurately. Words are only words. If they are not directed at you as insults then they should not bother you. Anybody who is offended by vulgar language will have a tough time watching movies and television in the U.S. I don't like vulgarity but I certainly want to know what the words mean if I ever hear them so I think it is perfectly proper to learn them in a translation forum such as this. Exx is right. If you don't like the language then simply leave the thread but don't try to censor the entire forum. __________________ vicente Last edited by vicente : 05-10-2008 at 05:32 PM.

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