HT Localization Presents Language Translations for Real Life: More Themes You Just Can’t Find the Words to Translate!

Segment 23 – More Themes You Just Can’t Find the Words to Translate!

In Segment 11, I wrote about my top 10 favorite difficult to translate themes.  Needless to say, I received lots of feedback, comments and more examples to share.  Thank you my readers for your support and suggestions.  So back by popular demand…a few more Themes You Just Can’t Find the Words to Translate...

1. Tonto de remate (Spanish) – I was at a local bar where Real Madrid was playing Barcelona, the player – I can’t remember who, made or missed the goal or something (I'm not a huge football fan), but the crowd suddenly busted out shouting at the poor TV - ¡Tonto de remate!    Later, I was told that “remate”  is the word used when a soccer scoring shot slams hard into the back of the net instead of just gliding over the goal line. But if someone is referred to as being  “Tonto de remate”, it basically means a that he is a completely stupid fool to the nth degree!

2. Koi No Yokan (Japanese) – So we’ve all heard of “love at first sight”, but what about the opposite?  How would you like to hear your spouse refer to your relationship like this, “well, I don’t really love you now, but I'm sure I will eventually”. This is actually a positive expression in cultures with traditionally arranged marriages.

3. Manja (Malay) – For those women out there, I'm sure your spouse has never accused you of exhibiting this expression… In Malaysia, when a woman is acting “manja”, she is behaving like a child so that she can receive pampering and sympathy. 

4. Mas feo que Falla (Spanish) – Poor guy. This expression references the Spanish composer Manuel Falla, but reminds me of the old American expression in spirit  “so if my dog looked like you (him or her), I’d shave his butt, and make him walk backwards”.

5. Gigil (Tagalog) – On a different note, how about that feeling you get when you just need to pinch or squeeze that cute kitten or baby girl?  That would be feeling “gigil”. I’ve also heard the urge described as “so cute that you want to eat her up”.

6. Tingo (Pascuense language of Easter Island) – Have you ever had a friend or neighbour who pops over to borrow some sugar?  Two days later, your blender…two days later, your lawnmower…two days later, your chairs…two days later, your TV…two days later, etc.?  Yep, on this Polynesian island, to “tingo” is to borrow things from your neighbour one by one, until the house is empty.  Watch out!

7. C'est la fin des haricots (French) – If you hear a French mother using this expression during a family dinner, it might mean that either, “that’s the end of the beans” or “I've had enough, that’s the last straw”… I’d bet on the latter (speaking from experience).

So there you go, a few more themes which are not always easy to translate across borders.

Enjoy your summer travels and, if I may offer these words of wisdom... “Don’t cry over spilt milk.  But, it is OK to cry over spilt wine!"

  … Stay tuned for the next Segment of HT Localization Presents Language Translations for Real Life Series, where we’ll continue … with more stuff.

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This article was written by Rachanee Thevenet, Co-Founder of HT Localization.  Rachanee is an Asian-American expat living in Spain with her family.  She loves all things international including food, art, literature, culture, languages and people.  She has years of professional product marketing expertise and global expansion experience.

HT Localization, LLC. is a worldwide translation & localization agency providing a full range of professional language translation services, including social media localization, marketing translations, website translations, software localization, eLearning materials, documentation translations, etc.  With locations in the US, Spain, France, Zambia & Thailand, and coverage across all languages and most industries, HT Localization is well positioned to provide around the globe services for all translation needs.  

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