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Spanish to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Philosophy / Literary - Academic
Spanish term or phrase:Se acabó su salud.
—¿De qué murió? —De nada. Se acabó su salud. Clarice Lispector: La hora de la estrella.
Wider context: Quote cited at beginning of academic text on ageing and longevity. I have nothing else from the book and can´t find the quote in English, so asking for input to offer the best option I can.
Explanation: It wasn't that he was injured, or had a heart attack or something - his life was over, he no longer had his health. The next line gives us a clue as well - his hour had come, as shown in the stars.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2022-12-01 19:11:34 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
@Domini Lucas: We who are trying to assist you would be glad to see the additional text you refer to in your note below. It might really help us to get a feel for what is the best alternative in context. It's almost impossible to include too much context, but all too common that Askers don't include enough.
Hello Tom. Sorry I didn't answer earlier. The deadline took over! For most of my queries I was able to add plenty of context as the full article is already in public view. This little text appeared as a quotation before the main article as a standalone quote (as in books at times). Plus there are 3 language versions on the website so I've been trying to juggle some consistency where I could. This is some of what made it tricky, including the fact that I had no idea whether the character referred was a "he". I was revising an English version of the text which had the character as he, not she. Toni citing a translation of the book gave me the answer to both of those in the end, so I picked it for the text. I have chosen your answer as that is what I would most likely have gone with if I hadn't had access to a published translation and it was e.g. within a paragraph etc. Its been a problematic text with multiple quotes and no references, and hours of research to understand what each quoted author might have meant, which is why I have picked published translation options when I could find them. I hope this answers your query. I totally agree re providing as much context as possible.
That's kind. But actually it's an issue for all of us as translators. We could all be in that position at some point. I think I will put the links in and flag it up (there are myriad quotes). Unless other colleagues say otherwise.
Whatever you do, I am sure it will be the right choice. I can read between the lines. When you quote literary works already published, you should specify the source and the authors. This is just logical and fair, and I am sure you know how to handle it. Best of luck.
I can only give the client the links and ask them to do it. The references haven't been given in any of the languages sadly. It's either they go with a published translation for most quotes where they exist, or I translate them all which will take forever. I opted for what has been published where it exists, not least because some quotes are v old with some of the differences in language at the time. What to do... My instinct has been that where there is an English translation they should use it as it could come up when Googling and/or give the authors more hits online. But as to the translators being credited (which is quite right), the only thing I can do is flag it up with the client. If however I'm contravening copyright by doing that (groan), I'll have to start from scratch and final deadline is tomorrow. This is most likely a good conversation to be having. Just wish I had thought to have it earlier! Can I suggest the client puts links in the text (or do it myself) so that it links directly to the online sources I do have?
I'm still not convinced that "her health gave out" or "her health ran out" is, either of them, good, colloquial English. "Her body just gave out" rings truer to me.
Please do post it. It is the answer. It's just possible it could arise for someone else in future. No offence intended re other options proposed. I am hugely grateful for everyone's input. Just prefer to go with a published version as exists for the reason mentioned. It will be posted publicly so it's best for the client. I searched for ages before posting, but missed it. Sorry everyone.
That's grand, thank you. I had thought of "Her health gave out" but my head is buzzing a bit so wasn't sure. If it's a published translation I'll go with it as that is what I've been doing wherever I can so the client has proof if they get any queries (there's a sort of academic forum). Can you post it as an answer?
That´s interesting. This is what follows in the academic text´s first paragraph: "De causa natural o sobrenatural, da casi lo mismo, pues al considerar la vida como un derecho innegociable y la muerte como el enemigo por antonomasia de la vida, siempre se muere prematuramente y siempre la vejez, la fase final de nuestro viaje sobre la tierra, adquiere el carácter de una etapa triste e injusta. Ahora bien, si el cese de las funciones vitales significa o no la extinción de la persona, afortunadamente, lo comprobamos después de morir, nunca antes." Do you still think the same? i.e. as the words "natural causes" are spelt out further on.
The main character is a woman, a "she", but this is less relevant in the context of your question. I have read some texts by Clarice Lispector, a fascinating creature and writer, and directly related to the topic of your translation. There are several possible translations of this source into English. This one is just one among many, sure, and you do not need to stick to it.
I probably should have said that, in the context of what follows, the inclusion of health may be significant. "His health ran out" is what someone else put (it´s a revision) but, like Carol, I´m not convinced about it in English and couldn´t think of another option with health in it. Perhaps I need to rethink the inclusion of health based on comments already given. Just adding the thought.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
4 mins confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
He/She/They ran out of health.
Explanation: Suggestion.
Ana Vozone Local time: 20:59 Native speaker of: Portuguese
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you for your input. As per discussion entry my concern was that it doesn´t sound English.
Asker: Thank you again Ana, and Michele. On its own as it stands I didn't feel it would work.
18 mins confidence:
He died a natural death/ of natural causes
Explanation: It's tricky one to translate. This is my take on it because it links well to what is said before, that he had no ilnesses.
Alexandra Straton Spain Local time: 21:59 Native speaker of: English
Explanation: It wasn't that he was injured, or had a heart attack or something - his life was over, he no longer had his health. The next line gives us a clue as well - his hour had come, as shown in the stars.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2022-12-01 19:11:34 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
@Domini Lucas: We who are trying to assist you would be glad to see the additional text you refer to in your note below. It might really help us to get a feel for what is the best alternative in context. It's almost impossible to include too much context, but all too common that Askers don't include enough.
Thomas Walker United States Local time: 12:59 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Reason chosen: as in discussion entry. Thank you!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you so much for commenting. This looks good if an English option with health doesn´t turn up. My slight hesitation is that there are many comments re time and the finitude of life in the academic text that follows (it´s about longevity among another things) and I am wondering whether the author purposely chose the quote with "salud" in it rather than opting one relating to time. However if it doesn´t prove possible to have it all...
peer agreement (net): +1
