How to answer a question

Question

I've been reading answers to translation questions and even writing a few and it seems to me that there is a vitally necessary guideline which is often forgotten/never even considered.

"Correct translation" is subordinate to communication of the underlying thought. Always give a translation which the questioner can use easily and comfortably, either in speech or in writing.

Of course this is difficult when the question is incomplete, asking for a "correct" translation of a single word or a couple of words with no context but it still should be the first of our criteria (even if it takes longer and maybe means that someone else can leap in and take that vital vote).

Comments please.

Answer 1

If you think this is what we are ALL doing, Marianne, you need to read more answers. I won't point a finger at some of the awful answers but there they are. - geofc 11 hrs ago

This is a forum made up of many types of people at many different levels of Spanish learning, so I don't expect that all answers will be the right/perfect one. The more experienced/advanced members of the forum will certainly balance out the awful answers (often by posting the correct answer and calling out the incorrect one as "wrong").

However, with regard to advanced learners, as you and I are, I do expect our response to actually answer the question asked. What I mean is this:

You say "Correct translation is subordinate to communication of the underlying thought," yet why can we have both? In your own answers you often expound as to what could have, should have, might have been....but don't actually answer the question posted. Why not give a direct answer the question and then tell them about your real life experiences with regard to the topic raised. Now that's valuable!

It seems that you have a lot to offer the forum with regard to your intelligence, experiences, wisdom, and wit....why not use them all when answering a question?

• :) - Heidita Jun 11, 2010

Answer 2

Always give a translation which the questioner can use easily and comfortably, either in speech or in writing.

Isn't this what we are doing?

• That would certainly be our intent! - tennismom Jun 10, 2010
• If you think this is what we are ALL doing, Marianne, you need to read more answers. I won't point a finger at some of the awful answers but there they are. - geofc Jun 10, 2010
• I thought so Marianne. - Goyo Jun 10, 2010

Answer 3

HI Jeff, now this really calls for : look who is talking!

I still remember this comment by Jeezle:

Your answers are getting less and less comprehensible geofc. - jeezzle

On this thread.

You know what they say: he who lives in a glass house,,,,

Answer 4

I think you are right. I have noticed this also.

• correct speling please - Heidita Jun 10, 2010
• Heidita, you misspelled "spelling" in your comment above. - tamalmalamar Jun 10, 2010
• You want a good laugh look up misspelled tattoos on the internet :) - MattM Jun 10, 2010
• Thanks, Matt...I did as you suggested and got a good laugh! - --Mariana-- Jun 10, 2010
• Just your comment got me laughing, Matt! - LateToDinner Jun 10, 2010