Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Spanish term or phrase:
los grandes señores
English translation:
big shots
Added to glossary by
Claudia Vale
Apr 30, 2008 10:38
16 yrs ago
Spanish term
United Kingdom
Qualified Teacher of French and Spanish
Native in: English
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English
los grandes señores
Spanish to English
Art/Literary
Poetry & Literature
The scene is a nightclub-cum-restaurant in Afghanistan in the 1960s which is a bit of a hotspot for all the various nationalities:
A medida que avanzaba la noche iba llegando el personal, los efluvios etílicos aumentaban, los militares americanos sacaban las fotos guardadas en sus billeteros de chicas coreanas, se despedían los grupos amables y discretos de mujeres rubias y hombres trajeados que habían estado cenando y bailando, llegaban los grandes señores del país que eran recibidos con saludos y casi revenercias por parte de los afganos allí presentes...A estos señores se les escuchaba en silencio y se les reían las gracias.
These guys are obviously very important and command a great deal of respect. I'm thinking about "the big cheeses" but am wondering if anyone has any better ideas.
Thank you.
A medida que avanzaba la noche iba llegando el personal, los efluvios etílicos aumentaban, los militares americanos sacaban las fotos guardadas en sus billeteros de chicas coreanas, se despedían los grupos amables y discretos de mujeres rubias y hombres trajeados que habían estado cenando y bailando, llegaban los grandes señores del país que eran recibidos con saludos y casi revenercias por parte de los afganos allí presentes...A estos señores se les escuchaba en silencio y se les reían las gracias.
These guys are obviously very important and command a great deal of respect. I'm thinking about "the big cheeses" but am wondering if anyone has any better ideas.
Thank you.
Proposed translations
(English)
| 4 +3 | big shots |
bcsantos
|
| 3 +2 | the bigwigs |
CMJ_Trans (X)
|
| 4 +1 | dignataries |
Remy Arce
|
| 4 +1 | the overlords |
Elizabeth Medina
|
| 4 | the 'big guns' |
bcsantos
|
| 4 | the big names |
Bubo Coroman (X)
|
| 4 | men of distinction/men of rank |
Tom2004
|
| 4 | the doers and shakers |
trans4u
|
| 4 | anyone who is anybody |
Carol Gullidge
|
| 4 | the heavyweights |
Nelida Kreer
|
| 3 | big wheels |
Robert Feuerlein
|
Proposed translations
+3
9 mins
Selected
big shots
another alternative I've just thought of.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Graciela Vicente
: I like this option
54 mins
|
|
thanks:)
|
|
| agree |
peter jackson
: me too
2 hrs
|
|
thanks:)
|
|
| agree |
Beatriz Pérez
: I like it!!
3 hrs
|
|
Thanks:)
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "I found it hard to choose from so many good suggestions but I like this one because although they are respected, they are also quite full of themselves, I think. Thanks, Brenda!"
8 mins
the 'big guns'
I thought of VIPs but discarded it !
1 hr
Robert Feuerlein
Native in Spanish
Diligent
Native in: German 
, Spanish
Works in: Spanish to German, English to German, German to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
big wheels
some more to choose from...
+2
1 hr
the bigwigs
another
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Yvette Neisser Moreno
: This is the first one that came to my mind, too.
1 hr
|
| agree |
Helen Huthnance
: Also, the first thing that came to my mind.
2 hrs
|
1 hr
the big names
this is slightly more formal, and very respectful, in line with the tone of the text, where they seem to be received with real respect
1 hr
men of distinction/men of rank
!
1 hr
the doers and shakers
That first meeting seemed innocent enough. But what happens when you get a bunch of DOERS and SHAKERS together in one place? They decide to dosomething BIG. They decide to create a REVOLUTION! http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:VzTxgAtYT3MJ:www.expand...
Despite their problems and predicaments, the UNM finalists were characterized by faculty leaders at their respective institutions as doers and shakers who have made significant contributions to their universities.
http://www.nicholasjohnson.org/BlogStuf/regents/sgat0125.htm...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-04-30 12:35:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Also: "the high and mighty" or "the powers that be"
Despite their problems and predicaments, the UNM finalists were characterized by faculty leaders at their respective institutions as doers and shakers who have made significant contributions to their universities.
http://www.nicholasjohnson.org/BlogStuf/regents/sgat0125.htm...
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-04-30 12:35:17 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Also: "the high and mighty" or "the powers that be"
+1
47 mins
dignataries
another option
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-04-30 12:38:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As pointed out by Carol, it should read "dignitaries"; my apologies
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 hrs (2008-04-30 12:38:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
As pointed out by Carol, it should read "dignitaries"; my apologies
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Carol Gullidge
: dignItaries! with correct spelling, fits the register of the text
1 hr
|
|
Thanks Carol. I appreciate the correction
|
2 hrs
Carol Gullidge
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Native in English
Specializes in field
United Kingdom
poetically precise prose with... panache
Native in: English 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
315
anyone who is anybody
another option that still fits the fairly formal, correct register - at least in the section shown above
OR personalities; personnages
was going to suggest celebrities, but that somehow doesn't seem right for the context!
OR personalities; personnages
was going to suggest celebrities, but that somehow doesn't seem right for the context!
+1
2 hrs
Elizabeth Medina
Native in English
Works in field
DipTransIoLET Sp>En
Native in: English
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish, English to Tagalog, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
the overlords
The term selected should go well with the image of Afghanistan, a country that is not "modern," in the sense of being wild and mysterious. These could be politicians but they are probably more than just that, they probably have private armies.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Sandra Rodriguez
: This necessarily refers to owners of huge landed estates, so we may also consider the term "baron".
2 hrs
|
|
Agree with you as well, Sandra.
|
7 hrs
Nelida Kreer
Native in Spanish
English/Spanish/Eng Certified Translator
Native in: Spanish (Variants: Latin American, Uruguayan, Argentine)
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English, Spanish, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
19
the heavyweights
Another option.
heavyweight
heav·y·weight [hévvee wàyt]
(plural heav·y·weights)
noun
4. somebody or something powerful or influential: a person or organization with considerable power or influence, usually in a specified area (slang)
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
heavyweight
heav·y·weight [hévvee wàyt]
(plural heav·y·weights)
noun
4. somebody or something powerful or influential: a person or organization with considerable power or influence, usually in a specified area (slang)
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
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