Has anyone ever had to translate on the spot?
Earlier today I was at the post office waiting my turn in line when suddenly a Cuban lady wanted an envelope but knew "nada de"(ningún is an adjective) English. The receptionist asked if anyone could translate and I thought there would be someone who could do it, being that I live in Miami with such a huge Hispanic population, but unfortunately no. I was a little caught-off guard because I haven't really studied my post-office vocabulary but I decided to help her, so I used a reverse technique and just asked her what she needed and let her say the words. She basically said she needed "un sobre," an envelope to mail a money order. I then explained to the receptionist "lo que ella" needed. I felt like a hero and everyone was very impressed. The Cuban lady was very thankful as was the receptionist and the latter allowed me to skip the line and handle my shipment. She even asked me if I could teach her Spanish, lol. Before I left I chatted (in Spanish) with the Cuban lady who happened to be black and "ella me dijo que 'hay que hablar inglés en esta cuidad'". I decided to also leave some post-office vocabulary as well below. Has this happened to anyone before and how did you handle it?
- delivery: la entrega
- address: la dirección
- destination: el destino
- addressee: el destinatorio
- stamp: el sello
- envelope: el sobre
- package: el paquete
- forwarding: la expedición
- order: el pedido
- route: la ruta
- service: el servicio
- carrier: el portador
- air mail: el correo aéreo
- pickup: la recogida
- delivery time: el tiempo de entrega
- guaranteed arrival date: la fecha de llegada garantizada
- box: la caja
- container: el contenedor
- crate: el embalaje de tablas =o= caja/cajón de embalaje
9 Answers
Yeah I have guys come in to get applications where I work and I translate for them a lot. I don't always get it exactly right but mostly I think. Today a guy came in that seemed really cool, but of course we aren't hiring right now unless you are the most perfect person ever but I talked to him and told him to come back in three days and maybe my manager would be willing to speak to him. Once the guy left I realized that I said "llegar" when I meant to say "regresar" and I wanted to kick myself. I'm sure that guy was laughing at me and thinking how I barely know any Spanish even though I study for hours each day and it only took my mom like 4 months to be fluent. :(.
Yes I'd done that several times; last time I was at Los Angeles Airport I had to translate for an airline gate agent that need to cominicate with two spanish-speaker travelers.
I was working in a Naval hospital. We had a Merchant Marine patient who didn't speak English. The doctor asked me to find someone who could speak Spanish. I offered to translate for him. The doctor was surprised that I speak Spanish. "You speak Spanish? You don't look it." I had a good laugh at that and shared it with my wife. I guess if you don't look Hispanic, then you must not be able to speak Spanish. That was many years ago (1975).
Kind of 'off thread', but I notice you use 'el sello' for stamp. I've always used 'estampillo'. Would you know which is more common? Thanks.
Regarding your post, I kind of threw myself into the middle of a conversation a few weeks ago. I do volunteer work at a local prison, and one day when I was leaving, there was a Mexican family coming in to visit a family member. The guards at the front gate were not having a good time trying to explain the 'rules' to the family, which weren't understanding much of anything. I explained some simple things to them, like how they had to fill out the entrance forms, the amount of money they could take in, the required IDs and such as that.
The biggest thing in it for me was, the looks on their faces turned from anxiety to smiles when they heard this gringo trying to help them.
I am in Barcelona and some visitors to the city wanted to find out nearest metro station. I was coming out of restaurant after taking my cafe. The visitor thought I can speak Spanish and ask me question in Spanish - " ¿Dónde está el metro más cercano? ". I was so happy to understand his question, but hesitated to reply quickly since I never thought I could answer in Spanish. First I constructed sentence in English in my mind and then translated into Spanish as follows:
" Siga recto y girar a la izquierda para ver la estación de metro.".
Visitor understood my response and went forward, after thanking me...!!!.
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Yes, as a matter of fact, this happened yesterday! I mentioned this in an earlier thread also.
*I **spend most of my time between Philadelphia, where I live and New York City, both of which have a huge Spanish speaking population. But this week, we are spending some time in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. For those who are unfamiliar, it is famous for the Pennsylvania Dutch, Amish people and German. I was totally shocked that there were more Spanish speaking people here than at home.*
Anyway, I was in a store, when a Spanish speaking man was struggling with an English speaking clerk about finding some olive oil. I know it is not much, but I was able to help, to both of their delight. The funny part is that I have lost my voice and when my big moment came, I had to whisper the words!! 
A funny story, althought it might be a little tragic.
When, I was serving in the USA's armed forces,I was a military police for a while. Some Mexican American or Puerto Rican ocassionaly claimed not to known english while being interrogated, I woulld come in in the little room ( interrogation room ) I talked to them in Spanish and they were conviced to acnowledge their english skills.
Remind me to tell you, how, I got my sargeant stripes- something to do with infiltrating the officers' club in vietNam
Gracias Serestar! I copied the list for my own use. Because of the growing Latino poplulation in Green Bay I've tried twice to get the Post Office to teach us carriers some Spanish phraseology. No success though. So that's why I'm trying to learn Spanish on my own. (This site helps a lot!) My first sentence I tried to learn was "Firme su nombre acqui, por favor." Anyways, with the old and young who know little English my limited Spanish helps. If nothing else, I hope my clumsy attempts will be understood as a mark of respect for my customers. Your list will help me muchisimo. So what do you think? Is el sello used more than el timbre for "stamp"?
Anyways, thank you. Your post encourages me. Gary
