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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

¡Que nunca más jueguen contigo!

English translation: Don\'t let them play games with you again!

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Spanish term or phrase:¡Que nunca más jueguen contigo!
English translation:Don\'t let them play games with you again!
Entered by: Laura Hercha

17:45 Mar 3, 2011
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Libro de auto-motivación
Spanish term or phrase: ¡Que nunca más jueguen contigo!
This is the subtitle of the cover of the book. The author, who is not a translator, by the way,
"thinks" that it should read somehow literal. Of course I know that we need to translate, but in
a way that makes sense. So, even though I have a way I would say this, I would like some
suggestions to offer the author, so she can choose from those. The book deals with the issue
of never letting a man abuse you in any way (in no way is talking about physical abuse, but
psychological, emotional, neglectful abuse).
Laura Hercha
United States
Local time: 00:37
Don't let them play games with you again!
Explanation:
Since the author has suggested a literal translation, why not give "play games with you"? In the context of a self-help book on relationships, "play games" in English just like "jueguen" in Spanish has a clear sense of manipulation. It's true it's a bit longer than the original, which may matter in a subtitle. But I think it's better than "fool with you" which has less of a sense of manipulation and more of wasting time or dealing with someone (http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fool with). "Mess with you" is quite good but is more exclusive to US English, whereas "play games" is both UK and US.
Selected response from:

Dr Trevor Stack
United Kingdom
Grading comment
Excellent suggestion! Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +3Don't let them fool with you again!
Henry Hinds
4 +3Don't let them mess with you again!
Isabelle17
4 +1Never let them toy with you
bcsantos
3 +2Don't let them play games with you again!
Dr Trevor Stack
4That they never mess up with you
telefpro
4Emough of his inflicted emotional distress!
Matthew Fuzzey
4Never let them manipulate you again!
lorenab23
4Never be trampled on again!
Carol Gullidge
3Never be/get played (with) again!
MedTrans&More


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Never be/get played (with) again!


Explanation:
I suppose you could build from the common slang 'player' with a phrase like this?????

MedTrans&More
United Kingdom
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
That they never mess up with you


Explanation:
Hope it sounds nice

telefpro
Local time: 12:07
Native speaker of: Native in PortuguesePortuguese, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Henry Hinds: Unfortunately it doesn't sound like English.
27 mins
  -> don't try to teach english- learn Spanish
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38 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Don't let them fool with you again!


Explanation:
My suggestion.

Henry Hinds
United States
Local time: 00:37
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 92

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charles Davis: Yes! All my ideas are variations on this: maybe "mess you around" (or is that British?). One thing: the plural is impersonal, so maybe in practice "Don't let him...", or "Don't let anyone". But perhaps "them" is better, after all
22 mins
  -> Gracias, Charles. There can be many possibilities.
agree  FVS (X)
33 mins
  -> Gracias, FVS.
agree  teju: Otra parecida: Don't let them make a fool out of you ever again. Cierto! No sé cómo se me pasó. Gracias.
1 hr
  -> Gracias, Teju. EVER again.
neutral  telefpro: sounds very banal
21 hrs
  -> Banality is the fashion today.
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47 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Emough of his inflicted emotional distress!


Explanation:
Suggestion

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 47 mins (2011-03-03 18:33:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

sorry! Enough with an n

Matthew Fuzzey
Local time: 23:37
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Never let them manipulate you again!


Explanation:
another option

lorenab23
United States
Local time: 23:37
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 4
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
Don't let them mess with you again!


Explanation:
Another suggestion: Don't be taken for a ride.

Good luck!

Isabelle17
Brazil
Local time: 03:37
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Muriel Vasconcellos: That was my first thought when I saw the question.
3 hrs
  -> Thank you Muriel! Have a great evening!
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
7 hrs
  -> Thank you Gallagy2! Have a great day!
agree  Catherine Gilsenan: "Mess you around". "Don't be taken for a ride" is also good.
15 hrs
  -> Thank you Catherine! Have a great day!
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Never let them toy with you


Explanation:
From-to toy with someone-mess them about

bcsantos
Gibraltar
Local time: 08:37
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 20

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Bubo Coroman (X): I think "toy with" is just right, it creates the image of a cat playing with a mouse; a more powerful creature tormenting a weaker one
12 hrs
  -> Thank you :)
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4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Don't let them play games with you again!


Explanation:
Since the author has suggested a literal translation, why not give "play games with you"? In the context of a self-help book on relationships, "play games" in English just like "jueguen" in Spanish has a clear sense of manipulation. It's true it's a bit longer than the original, which may matter in a subtitle. But I think it's better than "fool with you" which has less of a sense of manipulation and more of wasting time or dealing with someone (http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/fool with). "Mess with you" is quite good but is more exclusive to US English, whereas "play games" is both UK and US.

Dr Trevor Stack
United Kingdom
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Excellent suggestion! Thank you!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Shannon Morales: Though I still don't like the sound of "them" (not sure why), I'd say "play games with" is perfect, as it's close to the original Spanish AND natural in English.
20 mins
agree  Yvonne Gallagher
3 hrs
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16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Never be trampled on again!


Explanation:
Never let them walk over you again!
____
I know your client would prefer something more literal, but it might be worth explaining to her that in the world of literary translation, literal translations very rarely are the most appropriate or idiomatic. This applies to titles and headings in particular. For these, contextual translations are almost inevitably more meaningful and have more impact/oomph than literal ones.
I would say that it's more important here to choose a heading that is punchy in the target language and in the context than simply one that comes closest to a literal translation.

It can be very difficult dealing with authors who are not translators, as they tend to want their "baby" to be adhered to at all costs. Then you have to explain to them that - for cultural or linguistic reasons (idiomacy, collocation, etc) - what works brilliantly in their own language doesn't necessarily work so well in the target language. And remember that, as the translator, it will be your name that is attached to the translation hereafter, so you'd want to avoid compromise if at all possible!

Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:37
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 138
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