el problema es que llegan pocas

English translation: the problem is that not many make it

22:52 May 7, 2017
Spanish to English translations [PRO]
Journalism / Phrase used in an interview
Spanish term or phrase: el problema es que llegan pocas
Hi!

I'm translating an interview with executive from a Spanish financial-services company from Spanish into British English and I'm having trouble with a turn of phrase. Please see the question and answer below for the full context:

¿Crees que el reconocimiento de la mujer en el sector empresarial en Europa es muy diferente a España?
No es un tema de reconocimiento, el problema es que llegan pocas. El techo de cristal existe y es muy dificil de superar. Cada país tiene sus características y sus propias barreras. En general, si trabajas duro y das el 100% tienes las mismas oportunidad que un colega masculino. El problema aparece cuando tienes hijos y hay que compaginar el papel de madre con el profesional.

I was thinking something along the lines of '...few come through', but I'm not feeling hugely sure about it. Could someone help please?

Many thanks!
Matt Valentine
Norway
Local time: 19:25
English translation:the problem is that not many make it
Explanation:
I like "make it" for "llegan" here.
Selected response from:

Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:25
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +7the problem is that not many make it
Simon Bruni
3 +2there aren't many women coming through the door to begin with/in the first place
12316323 (X)
4the problem is that not all that many are successful
Barbara Cochran, MFA
4the problem is that just a few make it through
Marcel Gomez
4the problem is few reach the top
Phoenix III


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +7
the problem is that not many make it


Explanation:
I like "make it" for "llegan" here.

Simon Bruni
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:25
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 60
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  David Hollywood: I totally agree and also with your turn of phrase
10 mins

agree  Cecilia Gowar: or "only a few make it".
15 mins

agree  Helena Chavarria: I like your suggestion.
16 mins

agree  Charles Davis
17 mins

agree  Christian [email protected]
2 hrs

agree  neilmac
9 hrs

agree  Clarkalo
21 hrs
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10 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
there aren't many women coming through the door to begin with/in the first place


Explanation:
Or, few women make it this far.

12316323 (X)
Local time: 13:25
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  JohnMcDove: The second, shorter version. :-)
2 mins
  -> Few women make it this far?

agree  Muriel Vasconcellos
20 mins
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31 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the problem is that not all that many are successful


Explanation:
When one talks about breaking though the glass ceiling, that refers to overcoming every obstacle and becoming successful.

Barbara Cochran, MFA
United States
Local time: 14:25
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 16
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45 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the problem is that just a few make it through


Explanation:
It even rhymes :=)

Marcel Gomez
Peru
Local time: 13:25
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
the problem is few reach the top


Explanation:
Another idea.

Phoenix III
United States
Local time: 14:25
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
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