en las manos unidas por grilletes de Teseo.

English translation: in/into the shackled hands of Theseus

07:57 Apr 19, 2022
Spanish to English translations [Non-PRO]
Poetry & Literature / Literature.
Spanish term or phrase: en las manos unidas por grilletes de Teseo.
I would like to know the best translation of this phrase from Latin American Spanish into American English.

Translator colleagues from Spain, feel free to send me your suggestions as well. This is a translation about Mythology.

It's about the story of Theseus and the Minotaur.

I hope that all of you are healthy and safe from Covid19.

Here is the full paragraph for your review:

Ariadna imploró a Teseo que se arrodillase y esté lo hizo, pero no sin antes hacerle saber que era Teseo, hijo del rey Egeo, que venía poner fin al Minotauro. Ariadna entonces pidió que le diesen muerte tratándolo de enemigo de su padre, el rey Minos, pero mientras los guardias se le llevaban Ariadna puso algo en las manos unidas por grilletes de Teseo.
yugoslavia
United States
Local time: 18:33
English translation:in/into the shackled hands of Theseus
Explanation:
Either hands or legs can be shackled.
The name in English is Theseus, and IMHO the "in the... of..." construction is more in line with the tone and register of the tale, rather than the possessive apostrophe. You decide:
Version 1:
"...but as the guards took him away, Ariadne slipped something into the shackled hands of Theseus. "
Version 2.
"...but as the guards took him away, Ariadne slipped something into Theseus' shackled hands."





Theseus’ shackled hands.."
Selected response from:

neilmac
Spain
Local time: 00:33
Grading comment
Thanks for your help Neilmac. I'm sorry about the delay. I was sick with Covid last summer.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1in Teseo's shackled hands.
Simone Taylor
4 +1In Teseo's manacled hands
Andrew Bramhall
4 +1in/into the shackled hands of Theseus
neilmac
4in Theseus' handcuffed hands
Cecilia Gowar


  

Answers


10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
in Teseo's shackled hands.


Explanation:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shackle

Simone Taylor
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:33
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese
PRO pts in category: 28
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Miss Taylor.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Andrew Bramhall: "shackled" or " bound"; ( but shackles are more usually used on the legs)
6 hrs
  -> Thank you.

neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: Theseus in English/ nope.
6 hrs
  -> Name treatment will depend on the client and what was chosen for the rest of the book.
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
in Theseus' handcuffed hands


Explanation:
It should be "esposas" in Spanish. Grilletes are for feet.

Cecilia Gowar
United Kingdom
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 227
Notes to answerer
Asker: Muchas gracias Cecilia.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Andrew Bramhall: Yes but 'hand' twice is overkill; just " cuffed hands" would be better;
6 hrs

neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: Apostrophe and "handcuffed" not great
6 hrs
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
In Teseo's manacled hands


Explanation:
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/manacle

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:33
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 70
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Andrew.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: Theseus in English
41 mins
  -> You're right, thanks;

agree  Simone Taylor: Manacled is also a good option.
4 hrs
  -> Thank you!
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
in/into the shackled hands of Theseus


Explanation:
Either hands or legs can be shackled.
The name in English is Theseus, and IMHO the "in the... of..." construction is more in line with the tone and register of the tale, rather than the possessive apostrophe. You decide:
Version 1:
"...but as the guards took him away, Ariadne slipped something into the shackled hands of Theseus. "
Version 2.
"...but as the guards took him away, Ariadne slipped something into Theseus' shackled hands."





Theseus’ shackled hands.."


Example sentence(s):
  • Palamon was left in the tyrant's keep, with shackled hands and ironed feet...
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 00:33
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 155
Grading comment
Thanks for your help Neilmac. I'm sorry about the delay. I was sick with Covid last summer.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Neilmac.

Asker: Thanks Neilmac.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: I agree with Andrew that "shackled" more usually used for legs so would prefer manacled. But at least you got the name right! I'd also prefer to translate books but rates are too low
29 mins
  -> I'm honoured (I'd love to translate texts like this instead of my usual stuff)...

neutral  Andrew Bramhall: For me though, manacled, based on the Latin for hand, fits better as 'shackled' traditionally refers to legs and ankle restraints, as in' ball and chains' , for example..
21 hrs
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