Monday, February 9, 2004

During my Chicano Studies class tonight the teacher was trying to make the following point: statements are not to be translated into another language word for word. Instead, meanings are to be carried across. He gave us an example, “Diosito.” It’s not to be translated as “little God,” but as “Dear God” or “beloved God.”

Then it was time for us to show that we understood what he meant. He asked us to help him translate “break a leg!” Someone, misunderstanding his question, suggested that it be translated as “rompe una pierna,” which is the word-for-word translation. But nah, I was paying attention and knew that was wrong. I just couldn’t remember the Spanish phrase equivalent to “break a leg!”

I thought and thought, and when I was about to give out an answer, I heard him say “buena suerte!” Well, I suppose “buena suerte” would work, but it just didn’t seem right to me, so I shared my answer with the class… “dales en la madre!” Yeah, the class broke out in laughter (including the teacher), but I’m right, “dales en la madre” does mean “break a leg!”

(Well, okay, I admit that “dales en la madre” is more like “beat the **** outta them!” but hey… close enough. :))

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