Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

un largo cabello

English translation:

long tresses

Added to glossary by Jennifer Levey
May 6, 2015 12:42
9 yrs ago
Spanish term

un largo cabello

Spanish to English Other Archaeology Account of the 1981 massacre at El Mozote, El Salvador
What is the proper translation of this term in the context of an archeological finding of hair from a woman killed 10 years previously? The reference here is obviously to "a full head of a woman's hair," but this would not seem to work as a translation. "A woman's hair" would make it sound like one strand (or perhaps a few strands) were found. Here is the passage in question:

Los hallazgos continuaron siendo similares a la semana anterior: fragmentos muy pulverizados, en una parte considerable pertenecientes a cráneos de adultos e infantes: un largo cabello, obviamente de mujer (tomando en cuenta las características culturales de esta población)….

Many thanks.
Proposed translations (English)
3 long tresses
3 +3 long hair
Change log

May 6, 2015 12:59: AllegroTrans changed "Field (specific)" from "Law (general)" to "Archaeology"

May 15, 2015 17:00: Jennifer Levey Created KOG entry

Discussion

ormiston May 6, 2015:
I presume You don't mean merely 10 years ago..
Robert Forstag (asker) May 6, 2015:
@Wendy Given that the hair was identified as conforming to the style typical of the women of that culture, it is evident that either "a full head of hair" or a "clump" large enough to make such an identification is in being referred to, rather than a single hair.
Wendy Streitparth May 6, 2015:
@ Robert: One could say a "head of long hair", but why are you so convinced that it is more than one hair?
liz askew May 6, 2015:
Just to be clear, it is possible that "un largo cabello" =
a long hair (i.e. one strand of hair only)
or
long hair (in general) - as opposed to short hair
Robert Forstag (asker) May 6, 2015:
"Long hair" might work, but it really does not seem to convey what was found in this instance: a well-preserved head of hair that had belonged to a woman at the time of her death.

"Long hair" could also mean "a few strands of long hair" or "a tuft of long hair."

See what I mean? :)
liz askew May 6, 2015:
Doesn't it mean "long hair"?
Which culture are they referring to?
James Greenfield May 6, 2015:
Could it possibly just mean long hair?

Proposed translations

2 hrs
Selected

long tresses

'tresses' in the plural suggests the hair flowed freely, whilst 'tress' suggests some form of plaiting.

Alternatives might be 'locks' (in the plural), or a 'shock' (singular), depending on how the women in this community wore their hair.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "This answer captured the idea in the specific context that I provided. Thank you, Robin. "
+3
6 mins

long hair

I think this is what it means.
Peer comment(s):

agree Lisa McCarthy
4 mins
Thank you
agree liz askew : to me, somebody with long hair has more than one hair:) La Historia de La Raza de Pelo Rojo Tuatha De Danaan www.bibliotecapleyades.net/.../ciencia_tuathadedanaa... Translate this page Los arqueólogos apenas podían creer lo que veían. ... Una momia tocari
2 hrs
Thank you
agree Catherine Steele : I think they're definitely referring to more than one hair. Normally someone would specify if it was "un solo cabello". I would go with long hair
14 hrs
Thank you
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Reference comments

2 hrs
Reference:

full reference

La Historia de La Raza de Pelo Rojo Tuatha De Danaan
www.bibliotecapleyades.net/.../ciencia_tuathadedanaa...
Translate this page
Los arqueólogos apenas podían creer lo que veían. ... Una momia tocaria femenina, con largo pelo rubio dorado, perfectamente conservado como una cola de caballo. ... Una búsqueda de un museo revela una mujer joven con la mandíbula .
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