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Examinar (in context)
Acuerdos por Estado y Formas de Pago

Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

llorando por sistema

English translation:

as a rule, [I don't like to go around] whining/complaining

Added to glossary by John Cutler
Jun 27, 2009 14:34
15 yrs ago
Spanish term

llorando por sistema

Spanish to English Marketing Tourism & Travel
From an interview with an entrepreneur about the spa industry in Spain...

I can't quite understand the meaning behind the words.

Hay determinadas zonas del Estado español que están muy mimadas, como Galicia y que reciben muchas ayudas. Soy un hombre de empresa libre y no me gustaría ir llorando por sistema, pero Galicia, sobre todo en los últimos años, ha tenido unas ayudas increíbles para fomentar este tipo de establecimientos.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +15 as a rule, [I don't like to go around] whining/complaining
3 +2 complain systematically
3 (it's ) against my principals to grumble/quibble

Discussion

David Ronder Jun 28, 2009:
Role of the translator Like it or not, the man said "Estado español", and it seems to me that judgements about how to translate it should not depend on one's own feelings about the phrase. Loony or not, what did he mean and how can we best represent it in English? Well I don't know, but I don't think making judgements about what readers might conclude about the speaker's (NB not writer's) politics is the best way of answering that question.
John Rawlins Jun 28, 2009:
It's difficult to think of a European country that isn't a combination of different nations in exactly the same way as Spain. While many Spaniards imagine that such diversity is unique to Spain, it is entirely normal in Europe.

Using the phrase 'the Spanish state' will result in many readers concluding that the writer is on one of the undemocratic and 'loony' ends of the political spectrum.
Pilar Díez Jun 28, 2009:
It may be true that the translation sounds strange, but, depending on who is speaking, we always say Estado español as we want to compare it (Central Governmnt) against the autonomous /regional ones. Don't forget there are many in Spain who think our country is a combination of different nations!
margaret caulfield Jun 27, 2009:
Estado español I agree entirely with both Richard and John.
Richard McDorman Jun 27, 2009:
On "Estado español" Oh, how I agree with John. I would go with just "Spain."
John Rawlins Jun 27, 2009:
Hi John

This is not strictly related to your question - but were you planning to translate 'Estado español' as 'the Spanish state'.

Of course, it's your call - but I find the term 'Estado español' loathsome. Just my personal rant!

Proposed translations

+15
5 mins
Selected

as a rule, [I don't like to go around] whining/complaining

Here, "por sistema" is best translated "as a rule" (i.e., "generally").

The word "llorando" is part of the phrase "no me gustaría ir llorando," which is translated into idiomatic English as "I don't like to go around whining" (or even "complaining," in this context).

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2009-06-27 14:41:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Reference for the idiom "por sistema": http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dict_en_es/spanish/sist...
Peer comment(s):
agree franglish
3 mins
Thank you :)
agree DavidFuertes
7 mins
Gracias, David.
agree MPGS : :)
9 mins
Thanks, MPGS.
agree margaret caulfield
11 mins
Thank you, Margaret.
agree David Ronder
15 mins
Thank you, David.
agree teresa quimper
16 mins
Gracias, Teresa.
agree Laura Gómez
28 mins
Gracias, Laura.
agree John Rawlins
44 mins
Thank you, John.
agree Rosa Paredes
1 hr
Gracias, Rosa.
agree bcsantos
1 hr
Thank you.
agree Mónica Algazi : ¡Por si te faltaba un "agrí"!
1 hr
Gracias de nuevo, Mónica!
agree Bubo Coroman (X) : even something like: "I don't wish to come across as a habitual complainer..."
2 hrs
Thanks, Deborah.
agree Christine Walsh
4 hrs
Thanks, Christine!
agree Richard Boulter
9 hrs
Thanks, Richard.
agree Pilar Díez
1 day 4 hrs
Gracias, Pilar.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks Richard and thanks to everyone else for their time and effort."
+2
7 mins

complain systematically

is how I understand it
Peer comment(s):
agree MPGS : :)
8 mins
Thanks, and a good weekend to you!
agree Laura Gómez
26 mins
Gracias, Laura!
Something went wrong...
2 hrs

(it's ) against my principals to grumble/quibble

Another option
Something went wrong...
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