Short translation excercise 7 Francisco Madero, Open to all
Have a look at the previous threads, in case you wish to do the translations.
I found one more from "La Revolucioncita Mexicana" about the Mexican revolution written by Rius.
This is positively the last from this book
This one is extremely challenging, That is why this one is open to everyone. and there is a " Palabrota" hidden in the lines, Since we cannot post these I will accept **X******** for the word or a PM with it. I will know if you have it correct.
As usual,the author is up to his usual cynical, mischief. In this case he seems to like our friend Francisco Madero.
Context:
Madero is the reluctant " fair haired boy "of the revolution.
Here is the context in Spanish: Hay la idea de hacernos que la revolución se inició gracias a Don Francisco Madero,que lo organizó todo y fue el gran héroe.
This is the translation excercise:
Ni quien le niegue sus méritos al chaparrito, que los tenia en su sitio. Pero Madero fue realmente el ultimo de todos los que alzaron la voz ( y las armas) contra la dictadura y el que capitalizó las luchas,los muertos y la sangre de cientos de Méxicanos nada agachados.
A vote for all who try the translation. And "best answer" for the best translation
8 Answers
Ni quien le niegue sus méritos al chaparrito, que los tenia en su sitio. Pero Madero fue realmente el ultimo de todos los que alzaron la voz ( y las armas) contra la dictadura y el que capatilizó las luchas,los muertos y la sangre de cientos de méxicanos nada agachados.
Nobody can deny the fair haired boy's "merits" (the worthy features) , which he had right in its place.
Pedro Madero was actually the last to raise his voice (and weapons /his "weapons") against dictarorship and who usurped the fights, the deaths and the blood of hundreds of unbent Mexicans
Wow, this was so difficult I wonder if I understood that correctly.
Can you say "his merits" in English and does it mean , his , ehem, you know what I mean?
The word "mexicanos" is not capitalized in Spanish.
Would we use usurp here? I am understanding he is saying it was all his doing.
I agree with Luis.
Not only does Rius belittle Madero, he belittles the entire revolution by referring to it as "La Revolucioncita Mexicana." In this case, the diminutive doesn't indicate endearment, but something of little value. Rius does however have some respect for the individuals who died in battle, "Mexicanos nada agachados," unlike his lack of respect for Madero by stating that he was the last to call for the revolution.
Well, this text makes me think that Rius not only dislikes Madero, "el chaparrito" (the midget), but that he sees him as an opportunist. I think that Rius manipulates the facts at his own convenience. But that's only my point of view. In 1911, Madero won the first democratic elections for the Presidency in the history of Mexico since the independence of this country, in 1821. And it took almost one hundred years before the Mexicans had another democratic election, in the year 2000. Throughout the 20th century, there was not another democratic election, because the country was first ruled by warlords and then by a single political party, emerged from the revolution.
Ni quien le niegue sus méritos al chaparrito, que los tenia en su sitio. Pero Madero fue realmente el ultimo de todos los que alzaron la voz ( y las armas) contra la dictadura y el que capatilizó las luchas,los muertos y la sangre de cientos de Méxicanos nada agachados.
We can not deny his merits to the midget, who was indeed a brave man. But Madero was actually the last of all who protested (and took the arms) against the dictatorship, and the one who took advantage of the battles and the deads and the blood of hundreds of brave mexicans.
Ni quien le niegue sus méritos al chaparrito, que los tenia en su sitio. Pero Madero fue realmente el ultimo de todos los que alzaron la voz ( y las armas) contra la dictadura y el que capatilizó las luchas,los muertos y la sangre de cientos de méxicanos nada agachados.
No one denies the merits of the little one, who had them in place. But Madero was the last of all to raise his voice (and to rise in arms) against the dictatorship; and it was he who capitalized on the stuggles, the deaths and the blood of hundreds of Mexicans, who bowed to nothing.
May I say that I am in complete accord with Luis regarding the spin placed on these events and players by Ruis. But I suppose we are all aware that Ruis has a particular perspective on most things and, being aware of that, I find his accounts interesting -- and something of an object lesson in themselves. But Madero, if not perfect, strikes me as being one of the good guys in all of this.
Another thing that strikes me is that anyone who raises rheir voice -- or arms -- against a dictator can be credited with having "merits."
Which makes me think again of our "soldaderas" and that perhaps such metaphors were anachronistic even a century ago.
Ni quien le niegue sus méritos al chaparrito, que los tenia en su sitio. Pero Madero fue realmente el ultimo de todos los que alzaron la voz ( y las armas) contra la dictadura y el que capatilizó las luchas,los muertos y la sangre de cientos de Méxicanos nada agachados.
No one denies his value to the (dwarf?), who he had in his place. But Madero was really the last of all that lifted his voice (and weapons) against the dictator and lacking strategy, capitalized on the struggles, the deaths and the blood of hundreds of Mexicans.
I know the first sentence is wrong but I couldn't make sense of it.
I'm taking a wild guess on the meaning of "nada agachados" being the R-rated phrase.
No one denied the merits of the little shorty, that he had them in their place. But Madero was actually the last of all those who raised their voices (and weapons) against the dictator and [it was] he who capitalized on the battles, the deaths and the blood of hundreds of Mexicans who did not bend over and take it.
Ni quien le niegue sus méritos al chaparrito, que los tenia en su sitio. Pero Madero fue realmente el ultimo de todos los que alzaron la voz ( y las armas) contra la dictadura y el que capatilizó las luchas,los muertos y la sangre de cientos de Méxicanos nada agachados.
Nobody will question the merits of this little kid, who had them clearly set out. However, in reality, Madero was the last of those who spoke out and rose in arms against the dictatorship and it was him who capitalized on the battles, death and bloodshed of hundreds of Mexicans, who did not back off.
Ok, I really don't know where this palabrota is...
No one denied the short squaty boy had merit, that he had them in their place. However, Madero was actually the last person you´d think would raise his voice (and weapons) against the dictator and the one who profited from fights, the deaths, and the blood of hundreds of Mexicans.
I couldn´t come up with anything for "nada agochados". I like brave though.
