Jul 5, 2012 09:01
11 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term
ser lo suficientemente obsecuente según el gusto de los alcahuetes
Spanish to English
Social Sciences
Government / Politics
Argentine history
Más de 700 profesores fueros cesanteados por no comulgar con la ideología oficial o por no ser lo suficientemente obsecuente segun el gusto de los alcahuetes de turno
Gracias
Gracias
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +5 | not being sufficiently obsequious ... |
neilmac
|
| 3 | not ingratiating themselves sufficiently |
Nedra Rivera Huntington
|
Proposed translations
+5
12 mins
Selected
not being sufficiently obsequious ...
This is a very long sentence:/
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Note added at 13 mins (2012-07-05 09:15:31 GMT)
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And it's also quite denigratory. It literally means "... were dismissed for not being sufficiently obsequious to suit the pimps currently running the show"...
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Note added at 15 mins (2012-07-05 09:17:41 GMT)
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Which I think would need to be toned down somewhat, depending on where it is to be published or used, for example:
"... were sacked for not being sufficiently obsequious/submissive
to suit those in charge"
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Note added at 17 mins (2012-07-05 09:19:50 GMT)
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If you disapprove of the overly submissive way someone is acting — like the teacher's pet (hacer la pelota) — you can use the formal adjective obsequious.
There are many words in the English language for a person or an action that is overly obedient and submissive. Obsequious is a more formal adjective, whereas fawning or servile belong to standard language use. An obsequious person can be called a bootlicker, a brownnoser (vulgar) or a toady. You can also say that someone gives an obsequious bow, a gesture that means, "your wish is my command."
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Note added at 19 mins (2012-07-05 09:21:42 GMT)
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Higher-frequency, less judgemental synonyms like "submissive" or "obedient" might be more appropriate depending on your context.
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Note added at 13 mins (2012-07-05 09:15:31 GMT)
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And it's also quite denigratory. It literally means "... were dismissed for not being sufficiently obsequious to suit the pimps currently running the show"...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 15 mins (2012-07-05 09:17:41 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Which I think would need to be toned down somewhat, depending on where it is to be published or used, for example:
"... were sacked for not being sufficiently obsequious/submissive
to suit those in charge"
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 mins (2012-07-05 09:19:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
If you disapprove of the overly submissive way someone is acting — like the teacher's pet (hacer la pelota) — you can use the formal adjective obsequious.
There are many words in the English language for a person or an action that is overly obedient and submissive. Obsequious is a more formal adjective, whereas fawning or servile belong to standard language use. An obsequious person can be called a bootlicker, a brownnoser (vulgar) or a toady. You can also say that someone gives an obsequious bow, a gesture that means, "your wish is my command."
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Note added at 19 mins (2012-07-05 09:21:42 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Higher-frequency, less judgemental synonyms like "submissive" or "obedient" might be more appropriate depending on your context.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Charles Davis
: I think "alcahuete" means "informer" in Cono Sur Spanish.
51 mins
|
| agree |
patinba
: Charles is right./ 'Sycophant´ probably gets closer to the implications of "alcahuete"
3 hrs
|
| agree |
coolbrowne
: Yes, Charles Davis is correct but, in English "alcahuete" would be "snitch", rather than "sycophant" ("adulador")
4 hrs
|
| agree |
Jenni Lukac (X)
4 hrs
|
| agree |
Marcelo González
: Good enough -- the only part that may need more attention is the last word/concept; indeed, a separate question might yield some interesting suggestions/comments. I think "informant" might work. Well done, Neil
11 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "gracias!!!!!!!!!!!"
7 hrs
Nedra Rivera Huntington
United States
United States
Native in English
Works in field
United States
Reliability, conscientiousness and style
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US) 
Works in: Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
40
not ingratiating themselves sufficiently
I think this would work.
For alcahuete, we really do need more context, as the meaning varies by country. From what I see, I would tend to go with "informer", thus rendering the end of the sentence something like "to the local / current informers". It's a little hard to tell if "de turno" is meant to be taken literally, but I'd imagine not.
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Note added at 7 hrs (2012-07-05 16:35:53 GMT)
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"to the informers of the time." perhaps.
For alcahuete, we really do need more context, as the meaning varies by country. From what I see, I would tend to go with "informer", thus rendering the end of the sentence something like "to the local / current informers". It's a little hard to tell if "de turno" is meant to be taken literally, but I'd imagine not.
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Note added at 7 hrs (2012-07-05 16:35:53 GMT)
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"to the informers of the time." perhaps.
Discussion