un elemental constructor
English translation: a constructive element
| GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| 16:21 Apr 15, 2013 |
| Spanish to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting / Photography exhibit - art | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||||
|  Selected response from: Robert Forstag United States Local time: 00:03 | ||||||
Grading comment
| |||||||
| Summary of answers provided | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 +1 | a creative elemental (being) |
| ||
| 2 | a constructive element |
|
| Discussion entries: 4 | |
|---|---|
Answers
15 mins confidence: 
a constructive element Explanation: But it is confusing as to what the artist means by "elemental constructor," given that "hic et nunc" and "speakeasy" suggest radically different kinds of things. Suerte. |
| ||
Grading comment
| |||
Notes to answerer
| |||
| Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) | |||
6 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
peer agreement (net): +1a creative elemental (being) Explanation: I am sorry about this; once again I am suggesting what looks like a straight calque (at least for "elemental"), but there is something behind it. I have to admit that I didn't get this until I looked up "elemental". I thought it was probably a typo for "elemento", since the expression "elemento constructor" is used a few lines earlier, so you'd think it must be the same thing. But no, not exactly. An elemental is a mythological being, composed of one of the four classical elements. Here is good ol' Wikipedia on the subject: "An elemental is a mythological being first appearing in the alchemical works of Paracelsus in the 16th century. Traditionally, there are four types: gnomes, undines (also known as nymphs), sylphs, and salamanders. These correspond to the Classical elements of antiquity: earth (solid), water (liquid), wind (gas), and fire (heat)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elemental Various modern esoteric practices (not to mention video games, apparently) invoke elementals. To make it a bit easier for some readers (speaking as someone who didn't get the point without assistance), you could put "elemental being" rather than just "elemental". I think that when he says "elemento constructor" he's probably thinking of the four elements also. I am not sure what to do with "constructor", which is an adjective in both cases. The trouble is that "constructive" is a common word normally meaning helpful or positive, which is not the intended meaning, I think; the sense is surely that of something which builds or constructs. Although it's rather a liberty, I would be inclined to use "creative", indicating that the element or elemental is what constructs or creates the image. I wondered also about "generative" or "productive". |
| ||
Notes to answerer
| |||
| Login to enter a peer comment (or grade) | |||
Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
KudoZ™ translation help
The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.
See also:
Search millions of term translations