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Jura de Cuentas
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Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

Las chicas

English translation:

The girls, or the ladies

Added to glossary by Magdalena Ponce
Feb 12, 2012 21:23
13 yrs ago
Spanish term

Las chicas

Spanish to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
Hi everyone!
I'm translating a book on weaving, and several weavers are interviewed. One of them represents a group of women who work together, women of all ages. My question is connected to the use of the noun 'chica', usually in the plural 'las chicas', to refer to a group of women of all ages in a friendly manner. The context is the following:
"Las chicas hacen también collares tejidos. Hay de todo, tejen de todo las chicas acá."
I've noticed that here in Argentina sometimes older women are referred to as 'las chicas' in a friendly way. I was thinking of using 'girls', (remember 'The Golden Girls'?). What do you think?
Proposed translations (English)
3 +13 The girls, or the ladies
5 +3 Women
4 The Gals

Discussion

Marian Vieyra Feb 13, 2012:
@ Virginia again This question about cultural usage is very interesting. I see you are from/based in Montevideo, Virginia. Can you throw any light on a recent racist issue in the UK when footballer Luis Suárez called a black player 'negrito' (I believe). It would depend on the tone of voice, of course, but could the word be used just as a put-down not as a racial slur? After all, we have 'mi morena', 'mi mulata' etc.
Lydia De Jorge Feb 13, 2012:
Asker, When you say "women of all ages", what specific range are you referring to? Somehow, in a context such as this, to say 'girls' just makes it sound like a sweatshop.
Magdalena Ponce (asker) Feb 13, 2012:
Destination Actually, Henry, the translation is not aimed at one country in particular. The book is going to be taken to Europe (specifically Milano and Paris) to show the origin of some garments and accessories which will be presented at international fashion shows and which were hand-woven by indigenous communities. The English translation aims at the non-French/Italian speaking public.
Henry Hinds Feb 12, 2012:
CONTEXT Given the diversity of opinions, regional or country differences could exist here. Thus it would be appropriate to mention the destination country as CONTEXT. After all, English-speakers do not all share the same language.
Helena Chavarria Feb 12, 2012:
I suppose times have changed I'm from SE England and I've never heard a woman being called a girl. I've only ever heard people using "the old girl" when they want to refer to an elderly lady or a man's wife. I've only heard Tina Turner use "girls" to refer to all the females who were at a concert (Tina Live in Europe)! And when she asks, "Are there are any girls out there?" at first there is hardly any reply!
Marian Vieyra Feb 12, 2012:
@ Virginia How is "chicas" used in your part of the world? Over here (UK), "girls" is widely used in this kind of context. The asker indicates the usage is friendly so I'm not sure why you think "girls" is misleading.
Helena Chavarria Feb 12, 2012:
I wonder why? Men can be called men, blokes, guys, lads, chaps, etc. but I think women are "only" women :-)

Proposed translations

+13
20 mins
Selected

The girls, or the ladies

yes, you can use "girls" to refer to a group of females of mixed ages, especially since those over 21 like to be made to feel young. "Ladies" is another word that women of all ages will take as a compliment.
Peer comment(s):
agree Claudia Luque Bedregal
16 mins
many thanks Claudia, kind regards - Deborah
agree fionn : Certainly - older women frequently refer to their peers as such
25 mins
thank you Fionn, kind regards - Deborah
agree Maria Alejandra Aguada : In this case I would use the girls
1 hr
Thanks Alejandra, kind regards - Deborah
agree Charles Davis : Yes, in this context "the girls" could quite well be used
1 hr
many thanks Charles, kind regards - Deborah
agree Marian Vieyra
1 hr
many thanks Marian, kind regards - Deborah
agree Alicia Orfalian : girls, ladies would be too formal given the context
1 hr
thank you Alicia, kind regards - Deborah
agree Yvonne Gallagher
3 hrs
thank you Gallagy, kind regards - Deborah
agree José Julián
4 hrs
thanks José Alberto, kind regards - Deborah
agree Evans (X) : It sometimes makes me wince, but among many women I know the collective use of "girls" is quite common. I know women who go on what they themselves call "a girls' night out", even if a little tongue-in-cheek, and some of them are over 60.
11 hrs
thanks Gilla, kind regards - Deborah
agree Lisa McCreadie (X) : Agreed. Either would work in my opinion.
17 hrs
many thanks Lisa, kind regards - Deborah
agree Sol Vargas : I'd prefer "girls" because "ladies" is a little bit more formal.
20 hrs
many thanks Sol, kind regards! - Deborah
agree Paola Giardina
1 day 24 mins
thank you Paola! Kind regards - Deborah
agree elin14
2 days 14 hrs
thanks Elin and kind regards! - Deborah
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks for your help and all the comments!"
+3
8 mins

Women

If they are referring to older women or even women and not girls, I would not use "girls" as it could be misleading. I would simply use "women"-. Maybe something like "local women"
Peer comment(s):
agree Helena Chavarria
8 mins
agree eski
21 mins
disagree Marian Vieyra : "The Girls" is both affectionate and appropriate.
1 hr
Not in this case, I'm sorry. You have to live in this part of world to understand how "chicas" is used.
agree Lydia De Jorge : I agree! To avoid confusion, I would say women.
2 hrs
Gracias, Lydia
agree Sarah Sanders : Although it may be affectionate, I think in English it is inaccurate to use "girls." In English, it can be affectionate, but can also be easily misunderstood as demeaning, condescending, or just plain erroneous.
3 days 17 hrs
Something went wrong...
1 hr

The Gals

Certainly another option. I also agree with Deborah but not with Virginia.
Something went wrong...
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