A short translation excercise for Spanish learners.
I was reading a humorous little book about the Méxican revolution written by Rius.and came across the caption below.
The caption goes like this:
Casi todos los historiadores pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas, pero existen testimonios dignos de tomarse en cuenta. Por ejemplo,el libro del ex embajador gringo Henry lane Wilson que dice:
Since you natives already know this please let any of us learners see what we can do with this first.
A vote for all who try the translation.
15 Answers
It is surprising to see the debate over this phrase. It is a rhetorical figure of speech and very easy to find by googling it. Being a native Spanish speaker, I know the meaning in my country ( México). And it is not to skim over or avoid an issue.
"Pasar (el asunto) como sobre ascuas" is exactly that: dealing with the issue at hand, without getting your feet burned.
Thanks everyone for participating in this thread it was fun for me and I hope you enjoyed it as well.. It brought up a lively debate, and that is always a beneficial part of this kind of exercise. Since there were requests for more of these I will post one again in a day or so by the same title
Thanks again everyone!
"pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas," Is found in many books,and always has the same meaning
In this case it is clearly "walking over embers"
Casi todos los historiadores pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas, pero existen testimonios dignos de tomarse en cuenta. Por ejemplo,el libro del ex embajador gringo Henry lane Wilson que dice:
Almost all of the historians go through the matter like over embers, but there exists dignified testimones to tell the story. For example, the book of ex US. ambassador Henry Lane Wilson that says.....
Very interesting. Since I'm late to this thread and others have gotten its essence I won't add a repetitive translation. However, this "pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas" strikes me as a really neat and useful idiomatic construction.
But, if "as if over embers" is literal, if skimming the subject briefly
is sort of the official translation, if "explosive" is within the concept, but "uneasy" and "kid gloves" are not strong enough, how then is this carried over to the English idiom?
I mean (even if there is worthy testimony such as Wilson's to consider) are we talking about something like "hot potatoes" here? Even in the US, Wilson himself was a fairly controversial figure, and much more so, one suspects, in Mexico.
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I'll have a try 
Almost all the historians 'are on edge when it comes to this matter' (or I might be tempted to use - 'tend to treat this matter with kid gloves'), but there is evidence worthy of being taken into account. For example, the book of former ambassador, foreigner, Henry Lane Wilson says:
Casi todos los historiadores pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas, pero existen testimonios dignos de tomarse en cuenta. Por ejemplo,el libro del ex embajador gringo Henry lane Wilson que dice:
Almost all the Historians are in the topic like about to walk between the hard ways, but there are testimonials worthy to take in consideration. For example, the book of the ex American ambassador Henry Lane Wilson who says:
pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas
treat this subject with kid gloves - maybe. just a thought.
According to this site, pasar por el asunto como sobre ascuas = skimming a subject (which is also what I learned from my Spanish teacher). It doesn't seem to indicate that anxiety or emotion of any kind is necessarily indicated. Probably the context of Paco's book would be more informative.
(I don't know why the link isn't hot. Tried three times!)
And is there any specific difference between "walking over embers" and "walking over hot coals"... ?
Casi todos los historiadores pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas , pero existen testimonios dignos de tomarse en cuenta. Por ejemplo,el libro del ex embajador gringo Henry lane Wilson que dice:
This is my version. Please comment:
Almost all historians skip this theme as a hot potato, but there are evidences that worth considering. For example, the book of the American ex-ambassador Henry lane Wilson who says:
TejanoViejo: Especially for you a short video introducing an ancient Bulgarian festive ritual with really life embers and bare feet. It is still practiced in some villages, but mostly like a turists' show. Nestinari video link
An explanation of the ritual find below: Wiki Nestinari
Casi todos los historiadores pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas, pero existen testimonios dignos de tomarse en cuenta. Por ejemplo,el libro del ex embajador gringo Henry lane Wilson que dice:
Almost all historians are uneasy in dealing with this, but testimony exists that is worthy of being taken into account. For example, the book of the ex-ambassador from the United States, Henry Lane Wilson, that says:
PS, I think "uneasy" in English is pretty much equal to "estar en ascuas". It is like saying it would make a historian squirm to deal with this, but...
The translation has been covered like carpet over floor, but our very own phrasebook has these offerings for the idiom in question:
Nerves on the edge, about to explode = nervios en ascuas
"To be on pins and needles" or "on the edge of one's seat" = I'm on pins and needles waiting for my grades. "estar en ascuas" = Estoy en ascuas esperando mis calificaciones.
"To be on tenterhooks" = estar en ascuas ?I was on tenterhooks waiting for the news. ?Estaba en ascuas esperando las noticias.
"to keep someone in suspense" = tener a alguien en (sobre) ascuas ?This movie keeps me in suspense ?Esta película me tiene en ascuas
More on "tenterhooks" = On tenterhooks
Almost all historians treat the subject very briefly, but there are worthwhile accounts to take into consideration. For example, the book written by the American ex-ambassador Henry Lane Wilson which says:
Most historians feel uneasy about this subject but there are reliable testimonies that are worth considering. One of them is, for instance, a book by the former American ambassador Henry Lane Wison, who says....
Casi todos los historiadores pasan por el asunto como sobre ascuas, pero existen testimonios dignos de tomarse en cuenta. Por ejemplo,el libro del ex embajador gringo Henry lane Wilson que dice:
Almost all historians bypass the issue as explosive, but proof exists worthy of having an account. For example, the book of the ex ambassador North American Henry Lane Wilson who said:
