Good vs. Fair - Buenos Aires?

Question

My friend and I were talking about city names and translations, because I'd seen New York translated as Nueva York and wanted to know if that was common. (It is, according to him.) During the conversation, I gave as an example, that we don't call the capital of Argentina Fair Winds!

He asked back the following- I would think on Buenos Aires´translation as "Fair Winds" but something like "Good Winds". It makes sense in English??

I explained that 'fair' can mean 'favorable' as well as 'balanced', and that in nautical terms a 'fair wind' was the favored situation, and that while 'Good Winds' is correct, 'Fair Winds' seemed right.

... was I right?

Answer 1

Like you, I would also translate "buenos aires" to "fair winds" in English.

A "good wind" is a "fair wind" to me.

Answer 2

The first time I was on a train in Italy I looked at the posted map to see how far I was from Florence and it took me a while to figure out I was going to Firenze. That was the first time I became aware that the whole world wasn't speaking English. The second was when a Finnish friend pointed out that his country was called 'Suomi' not Finland!

Answer 3

The original name of the city was "Santa María del Buen Ayre". No weather connotations. I think city names should not be translated in texts. Maybe it would be fine if you want to understand the origins.

My understanding was the St. Mary of the Fair Winds (Lady of the Bonaria) was a saint of sailors? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrine_of_Our_Lady_of_Bonaria - kahlan, Aug 2, 2010

I think you are right. The city was founded in 1536 so they depended on the winds to go through the ocean. - 00e657d4, Aug 2, 2010

I agree that we should not translate place names between languages. But, we do, (Americans don't call Germany Deutschland!) so it helps to know which things should or should not get translated! - kahlan, Aug 2, 2010

Some names have direct translations. For example, München is Munich is Spanish. But when the names have several words, the translation just does not sound right. - 00e657d4, Aug 2, 2010

Answer 4

because I'd seen New York translated as Nueva York and wanted to know if that was common. (It is, according to him.)

In "The Everything Kids Learning Spanish Book" by Laura K. Lawless uses the term "Nueva York". I obtained this book in the childrens section of the public library.

Nací en Nueva York. --- I was born in New York.

Answer 5

When talking about the weather you would say "fair winds" -- "good winds / good air" sounds weird in English.