Can spanish be literally translated into english?

Question

"Las olas batian la arena" is literally translated in English as "The waves were beating the sand". Whereas if we say, "Las olas batian contra la arena", then in English it makes sense as it translates "The waves were beating against the sand". Is the first one exactly what you would say in Spanish even though it doesn't quite translate well in english?

Answer 1

The direct answer to your question is the first example you gave would be the better statement in Spanish, but the second would be understood.

There is something of an art to translation. You need to make some adjustments to the wording so you can express the thought correctly. Sometimes there is little or no word for word translation used to translate a thought. That's why two translators will render a document differently, even though both may give accurate translations.

Answer 2

"Las olas golpeaban contra la arena" sounds definitly better. For me "batir" is related to eggs jajaja... yo bato los huevos

and no, you can't make a literal translation :) - Benz, Mar 23, 2010

Con chamiñones, por favor. - CalvoViejo, Mar 23, 2010