mandarín

12:43 Mar 6, 2024
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Errant question

Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Spanish term or phrase: mandarín
This is a text about a contemporary Argentine painter. "Mandarín " here does not seem to refer to Mandarin Chinese:

El mandarín escondido que suele poner una línea divisoria entre lo abstracto y lo concreto se pone a pensar si vale la pena el intento.
Wendy Gosselin
Argentina
Local time: 23:18


Summary of answers provided
4 +1grey eminence
neilmac
2[The hidden] traditionalist [in her] / [...] reactionary
Andrzej Ziomek


Discussion entries: 11





  

Answers


6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
grey eminence


Explanation:
You might try this if you're not keen on "inner bureaucrat", which I quite like.

A grey eminence is a powerful decision-maker or adviser who operates "behind the scenes", or in a non-public or unofficial capacity. Like a civil service Mandarin (such as Sir Humphrey from the BBC series Yes Minister).

Note: If you use this, you don't need to worry about translating "escondido", as that is implied in the term (behind-the-scenes).

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Note added at 6 hrs (2024-03-06 18:48:48 GMT)
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"The grey eminence who often draws a line between the abstract and the concrete ponders whether it/the attempt is worth the effort."

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Note added at 1 day 19 hrs (2024-03-08 08:21:48 GMT)
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On the other hand, if slothm's take is correct, you can just translate it literally and I've been wasting my time here. Ho-hum.


    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Éminence_grise
    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandarin_(bureaucrat)#:~:text=I...
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 04:18
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 82

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  O G V: Escondido aquí apunta más a inconsciente o no manifiesto que a alguien que maneja los hilos desde la sombra/oculto.
1 day 22 hrs
  -> Puede ser... al menos he intentado ofrecer una solución, aunque la Wendy nunca me hace caso :)

agree  Remo Fugnit
13 days
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4 days   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5
[The hidden] traditionalist [in her] / [...] reactionary


Explanation:
.

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Note added at 4 days (2024-03-10 21:52:02 GMT)
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https://www.bellanaija.com/2009/12/whose-wedding-is-it-anywa...

Weddings involve a lot of traditions and in most cases bring out the hidden traditionalist in most of us.

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Note added at 4 days (2024-03-10 21:57:25 GMT)
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https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mandarin

mandarin
[...]
c
: a person of position and influence often in intellectual or literary circles
especially : an elder and often traditionalist or reactionary member of such a circle

Andrzej Ziomek
Poland
Local time: 04:18
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in PolishPolish
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