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Explanation: Also: I didn't think about it, I didn't think about the consequences
Gajes del oficio No se me hizo fácil traducir “Se me hizo fácil” The importance of Cultural Awareness in Translation Francesca Samuel
[...] I learned that this expression was more complex than I had originally thought. There were several possible renditions: one was “I didn’t think about it”; another was “I didn’t think it through” and yet another “I really didn’t think about the consequences.” One thing was for sure. The old “it was easy for me” translation that I had been using was completely inappropriate https://ataspd.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/interv14no4winter...
No I'm simply asking why has it become acceptable to use "literally" in N. American English when it couldn't possibly be something literal. My brother lives in Vancouver and he mentioned to me a few months ago that it has become acceptable in colloquial language and I wondered to what extent this grammatical error had spread. Has it reached the media, is it 'acceptable' in every day language like N. American use of the double negative?
An equivalent of a set expression is difficult to find. By your own admission, there are sometimes several 'equivalents' but now they may have different registers, apply to a different generation or part of society, so they aren't equivalents and each fits better according to context. That's the point I'm trying to make.
When I mentioned "literal" in my suggestion, I meant using the same subject with the verb as in the original text, most other suggestions have changed the subject of the verb - which has a big effect on the translation, IMO, shifting the blame.
I detect a little bit of contempt for Americans in your rhetoric. You could easily express your opinion without pointing fingers, my friend, en todas partes se cuecen habas. And I don't think there's anything wrong with searching for an equivalent, there's often one, sometimes several. And by the way, no one's looking for literal here, it's all about meaning.
It is impossible to ".... literally "grab" the opportunity". Opportunity being an abstract noun one cannot literally physically grab hold of it. What is it with Americans' misuse of "literally"?
FWIW, I'm not sure why you (Flavio) think there should or has to be an exact equivalent, an expression will typically have different renditions depending on the context, setting, orator, etc.
All 4 suggestions given seem okay....but all are maybe more definite or specific than the Mexican expression, which as Juan explains can be, "no tuve problema al hacerlo", "aproveché la oportunidad, casi sin pensarlo". As we can see the exact meaning is not clear in Mexican, it depends on the situation, so an exact equivalent cannot be expected in English. IMO. From a native's point of view, Robin's reasoning is sound, but I think only the asker can decide with full context of the situation.
As a court interpreter in Los Angeles I have encountered the expression "se me hizo fácil" numerous times. The exact translation of this phrase has been a topic I've often talked about with my colleagues, many of them Mexicans, and we've found ways to convey its meaning but the quest for the exact equivalent never goes away. I've just read the article by Francesca Samuel and I was totally captivated. Thank you so very much for sharing it. I was surprised the question was never posted on PROZ and I'm glad I did. Please, please, please, Lorena, enter Francesca's translations as your answer above. They need to be part go the glossary. Here's the link for anyone interested: https://ataspd.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/interv14no4winter... -go to page 10 for the article-.
I leave you here what another colleague wrote on a different discussion group:Francesca Samuel: This is one of those idiomatic expressions that can make or break a case. My interpretation is "I didn't think it through" or "I didn't think about the consequences" which is really what it means in the source language. I wrote an article about it on Intercambios, the ATA Spanish Language Division newsletter a while back. Andre Moscowitz, a colleague that has dedicated 20+ years to the study of dialectology, also has written on this very topic. In my humble opinion, this phrase should NEVER be translated literally. Hope this helps!
I can't go into details about this, but it is definitely a felony in this case. The question here is not about the severity of the offense, its punishment or anything like that, but whether there is probable cause.
Adding to the options presented by Lorena's 2 cents, it is suggested that perhaps it was done by accident. This could provide a way out. The term doesn't belong to one country especially. It is used all over South América without counting Brasil. The situation arises because it not a felony in most places. so very rarely the outcome requires legal proceedings. Normally, the person can receive a beating from a lady in rage or from anybody that comes to her help.
Possibly the longest discussion thread I've ever read. Simple solution, get Lorena to post an answer. There's a 99% possibility she's right - "nadie es perfecto" ☺
...no se rompan la cabeza. "...stealing Grandma´s cookies..." tiene su equivalente en español... "...como robarle un dulce a un niño..." y sí, "se me hizo fácil" equivale más o menos. Pero jamás lo traduciría así. T'was easy for me y ya. Re-saludos.
Naturally, stealing Grandma´s cookies and committing a felony are not on the same level. But the expression can be applied in both instances.
Yes, of course, the Mexican Spanish expression can be applied in both instances.
But, picking up Lorena's theme, the translator/interpreter must surely avoid using language that might be seen as an apology for the criminal's acts, or which might cause the felon to receive a penalty in excess of what's properly due.
This is not about what the 'words' mean. It's about achieving a 'just reflection' of the speaker's sentiments.
But the translation into English must suit the context. What's OK when referring to 'nicking cookies from Grandma's pantry' is quite different from the language to be used when referring to sexual harassment. Unless, of course, one places those acts on the same level.
No, no hace falta más contexto. Leer bien mis tres comentarios y ya está. Les toca a ustedes ponerlo en inglés, del que no sé (casi) nada. Read lorenab23 also. That's it. La expresión puede utilizarse en cualquier caso.
It has to do with alleged sexual abuse and since it is an open criminal case I can't give much context. But Lorena is 100% correct about the controversy regarding this term. That's why I'm asking the question.
knowing full well that I may be "lynched" for it. This expression has been a thorn in US court certified interpreters' side for years and it has been discussed ad nauseam. It may be translated as "because I could", "because the opportunity presented itself", "it just happened", etc. the one main thing is that it implies that there is no forethought that it was done without thinking, a very important distinction in a criminal setting because certain crimes require premeditation. My two cents :-)
Examples from MX: Terra - Suspenden a fiscal colombiano por tocar las nalgas ... www.terra.com.mx › Noticias › Noticias › ReportajesTranslate this page Jul 26, 2007 - Un fiscal fue suspendido de sus labores por quince días tras ser acusado de palpar el trasero a una funcionaria. EFE. Agarran a tentón y lo exhiben amarrado en un poste ... - Oem www.oem.com.mx/elsoldepuebla/notas/n3742358.htmTranslate this page 3 days ago - ... varias féminas ya habían alertado a sus esposos, padres y hermanos, que un sujeto las había manoseado y le gustaba tocar "las nalgas", ...
Explanation: the situation presented itself and the speaker didn't think twice. On impulse he literally "grabbed" the opportunity.
Phoenix III United States Local time: 00:35 Native speaker of: English, Spanish PRO pts in category: 4
5 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +4
I didn't think it through
Explanation: Also: I didn't think about it, I didn't think about the consequences
Gajes del oficio No se me hizo fácil traducir “Se me hizo fácil” The importance of Cultural Awareness in Translation Francesca Samuel
[...] I learned that this expression was more complex than I had originally thought. There were several possible renditions: one was “I didn’t think about it”; another was “I didn’t think it through” and yet another “I really didn’t think about the consequences.” One thing was for sure. The old “it was easy for me” translation that I had been using was completely inappropriate https://ataspd.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/interv14no4winter...
lorenab23 United States Local time: 21:35 Native speaker of: English, Spanish PRO pts in category: 4
