material de trabajo

English translation: raw material

21:22 May 13, 2010
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Linguistics
Spanish term or phrase: material de trabajo
"El lenguage es el material de trabajo de un traductor"

¿Cómo traducirían "material de trabajo" en esta frase? ¿Estaría bien decir "Language is the material with which translators work"?

Agradecería su ayuda.
Lincoln Burr (X)
English translation:raw material
Explanation:
Another possibility.
Selected response from:

philgoddard
United States
Grading comment
2 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +5raw material
philgoddard
4language is the translator's work material
Leonardo Lamarche
4raw material
Edward Tully
4(working) medium
Muriel Vasconcellos
4tool
jmleger


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


2 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
language is the translator's work material


Explanation:
Mi sugerencia.

Leonardo Lamarche
Venezuela
Local time: 02:53
Native speaker of: Spanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  philgoddard: I don't think this works as well as Lincoln's own suggestion.
0 min
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4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +5
raw material


Explanation:
Another possibility.

philgoddard
United States
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 22
Notes to answerer
Asker: But "raw materials" are substances such as coal or iron that are in their natural state before being changed by chemical processes. I don't think it would be suitable for this context, right? Please, be patient. I'm just a student trying to learn some more. Thanks.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Edward Tully: too quick for me Mr G!
1 min
  -> Thanks Edward.

agree  Roberto Lipani
10 mins
  -> Thanks, Roberto.

agree  Richard McDorman: I agree strongly.
31 mins
  -> I thank you strongly.

agree  Jennifer Levey: Couldn't agree more...
43 mins

agree  Katherine Wootton Joyce: I agree but Lincoln's own suggestion works too.
1 hr
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5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
raw material


Explanation:
Needing to be worked etc...

Edward Tully
Local time: 07:53
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 44
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16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
(working) medium


Explanation:
'Language is the translator's (working) medium'. I like it better without 'working'.

'Medium' applies in multiple sense--especially 9(a) below:

From Merriam-Webster:
Main Entry:1me£di£um
Function:noun
3 : something through or by which something is accomplished, conveyed, or carried on: as a : a substance (as air or ether) regarded as the means of transmission of a force or effect *air is the medium that conveys sound* b : a condition, atmosphere, or environment in which something may function or flourish *a more finely perfected medium in which T feelings are at liberty— T.S.Eliot* c : an intermediate or direct instrumentality or means *affirmed that the historic church was the medium of a continuous revelation— Stringfellow Barr* *cattlemen seeking a medium to combat horse thieves— R.A.Billington*
Also:
4 a : a proper setting or natural environment *factors involved that make this slightly contaminated water better for young goldfish than a clean medium— W.C.Allee* b : an appropriate occupation or means of expression : an activity or field in which one is at home : M*TIER *the work of extraction and arrangement was the true medium of the monastic scholars— R.W.Southern*
**9 a : the material or technical means for artistic expression (as paint and canvas, lithographic or sculptural stone, or literary or musical form)**

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Note added at 44 mins (2010-05-13 22:06:22 GMT)
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Hi Lincoln! It seems to me that the author is trying to make an original observation, you wouldn't want something that's trite and common.

Muriel Vasconcellos
United States
Local time: 23:53
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 120
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you very much for your help. Thought, I agree with you that this would be the most suitable option, I've surfed on the Internet, looking for this term and I found only 5 websites which use this phrase ("translator's medium")

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8 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
tool


Explanation:
I would say

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Note added at 46 mins (2010-05-13 22:08:56 GMT)
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Here material does not mean "Material" it means instrument, tool. We have the same expression in French "Matériel de travail", which would be "matériau de travail" if we were talking about raw material.

jmleger
Local time: 01:53
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for your help. A tool is something that you use in order to perform a job or to achieve an aim... so I think that tool would be a good option. The phrase would be "language is the tranlator's main tool" or sth. like that, right?

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