La razón no grita, la razón convence.

00:54 Jul 15, 2009 

... look for my message -private- at your profile.

00:24 Jul 15, 2009 

Maybe there is no better way to transmit some thoughts from one language to another; certainly this is not the first time any of us has encountered such a quandary, nor, as translators, will it be the last. However, even if I do "fail” in the not so nefarious ambition of improving upon a “standard” at least I have gained very valuable insight into the “sense of meaning” and the “trappings” of false cognates. And I have all of you to thank for it.

I write this, in the sincerest hope that my own love and wonder of language and words and their subtle intertwinglings, meshed within the matrix of this experience, gives something to all of you, in return for what you have given me.

00:23 Jul 15, 2009 

“Truth” on the other hand, may not be much better as an alternative, but then “righteousness” is too clumsy, and "rightness" sounds almost vulgar. (No, Cinnamon Nolan, I am not taking a backhanded slap at you, you were thinking outside the box, and I applaud your effort! I hovered over your proposal for a very long time...)

I, however, did not think of “truth”, it never crossed my mind. And it *should* have!

That more than anything else in this exercise should be a testament to the sometimes awesome power of the false cognate!

Truth does not yell; it convinces. (With humble acknowledgement to bcsantos)

I am still not convinced (no pun) that this is the best way to transmit such a powerful idea to the English audience, but I do believe it is better.

00:23 Jul 15, 2009 

As an exercise, I offer my thoughts to you and hope the discussion will continue beyond the granting of kudoz points. As professionals I think it is a worthy pursuit.

I believe the original, standard, and largely accepted translation for this sentiment is fundamentally flawed. The term “la razón” as is used in this expression by Don Luis A. Ferre, is more in keeping with “quién tiene la razón” than with “el raciocinio” or “razonamiento”. Therefore the English translation: "Reason does not need to yell, it convinces." fails to be faithful to the original meaning. In English, you can be reasonable and still be wrong, which is definitely not what Don Luis meant.

And yet, it is hard to step back from the trap of this very seductive but false cognate: That "la razón" and “reason” are interchangeable. Here more than ever the context is everything. If Don Luis had said “el razonamiento” or “el raciocinio” I would agree with the translation. But that is not what he said.

08:55 Jul 14, 2009 

That is what we are here for :) You will be able to help us another time Steven. I wish I had remembered that answer that BCSantos gave!! It is soooo logical when you see it right before your eyes.

23:39 Jul 13, 2009 

I have been grappling with this one for a very long time, with no progress at all. This exercise has given me many new options and ideas; in short my purpose has advanced more with your help in a few days, than it did on my own for many months. Each one of you has helped me in some way. I wish I could give you all four points each! Thank you all!