Otorgar vs Dar
I understand that otorgar carried the meaning of granting something but I have also seen it translated as 'to give'.
When would it be chosen over 'dar' - if the meaning is to give and what nuance does using it impart?
2 Answers
Otorgar is used a lot in "legal" talk, it's more in a sense of 'granting' or 'conceding'. The verb 'conceder' and 'otorgar' are synonomos, but 'otorgar' is more 'legalish' or formal. Dar, as you already know, is used all the time to denote the act of giving in one way or another, which can be anything from an object to a headache. If you were to use Otorgar, it could be something like granting you an honorary title, or granting you legal right-of-way for a piece of property. In the same manner, Conceder can be used, as in a 'higher power', a court for example, conceding to you the 'right' to do something.
Hope this helped.
No, "otorogar" is, as you correctly surmise "grant" or "bestow". It could also mean "impartir". To give is "dar" or "regarlar".
