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chaser (?)
la madera es cortada en tablas, tablones, *chapillas*
Mar 28, 2006 01:46
18 yrs ago
Spanish term

puente inventado

Spanish to English Tech/Engineering Construction / Civil Engineering bridges
In a documentary film, an elderly, uneducated Puerto Rican woman is describing a bridge that she watched being built in her community during her youth. She says:

"Pues, el puente era de chaser (¿?), pero era por el aire. Tenía unos alambres gruesos para las orillas, era como un *puente inventado*."

As she speaks, she hesitates before choosing the word "inventado." I have no idea what she is getting at. I have considered the literal "invented bridge" or maybe "artificial bridge" but I'm not satisfied. Ideas?
Proposed translations (English)
3 +2 two possibilities
4 +4 (it was like a make-believe) bridge that someone had invented
3 +1 it was like something out of a fantasy

Discussion

JaneTranslates (asker) Mar 29, 2006:
Thank you, everyone! I liked both the "make-believe" and "fantasy" options (I toyed with using "fantastic" but had to let it go). But I think Big Ed hit the true meaning with "invertido." If you could see the DVD I think you'd agree! Thanks to all who took the time to answer, agree, or comment. Jane
Refugio Mar 28, 2006:
¿de cabeza???

Proposed translations

+2
2 hrs
Selected

two possibilities

invertido- instead of the supports under the walkway, they are above.

improvisado - improvised
Peer comment(s):
agree Refugio : I had also thought of the possibility of invertido, which might seem more likely than an uneducated woman talking about a fantasy bridge. It would be a rather imaginative use of language to combine invertido and inventado. So maybe 'upside-down bridge'?
11 hrs
Exactly. Upside-down bridge! thanx, Ruth
agree kurecova
16 hrs
thanx, Karin
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks--I went with "upside-down bridge" based on your "invertido." It fits both the visual and spoken context. I wish I could talk to the lady and find out what she meant! My second choice would have been something with "make-believe.""
+1
2 mins
Spanish term (edited): era como un puente inventado

it was like something out of a fantasy

Or, perhaps: it was like something out of science fiction

Since it is already clear that she is referring to a bridge, the word itself need not be repeated.

It sounds to me like this is the lady's intended meaning.

Suerte.
Reference:

http://www.nukimouse.homestead.com/files/ch5_poison_honor.htm

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-6614257-prod-travelguide-action-read-rat..

Peer comment(s):
agree Andrea Bullrich : I like "out of a fantasy"... Si fijó el recuerdo cuando era joven, me suena que tal vez no lo haya identificado mucho con la ciencia ficción :) // agree, or can you say "it was like make-believe"?
48 mins
This would seem to capture the intent. Another possibility would be to alter Gloria's suggestion: "It was like something make believe". (But not: "a make believe" or "that someone had invented". Thank you, Andrea. :)
Something went wrong...
+4
46 mins

(it was like a make-believe) bridge that someone had invented

Otra sugerencia.

Suerte.
Peer comment(s):
agree Denise DeVries : I like make-believe
1 hr
Thanks Denise.
agree Alexandra Stephens : I like make believe too
5 hrs
Thanks Alexandra.
agree Mónica Algazi
10 hrs
Gracias Mónica.
agree Andrea Bullrich : using "make-believe" is a wonderful idea
11 hrs
Muchas gracias Andrea.
Something went wrong...
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