What's wrong with this headline?

Question

A headline from the AP today heralds:

"Decenas venezolanas contraen cólera en Dominicana"

The article goes on to explain that: "Cerca de tres decenas de venezolanos se contagiaron de cólera en República Dominicana a donde viajaron para asistir a una boda y varios de los cuales están siendo tratados de regreso en Venezuela."

Can you detect something odd about the headline? What should be the correct way to write it?

Native speakers please refrain. This is an exercise for Spanish students.

"Decenas de venezolanas contraen cólera en la Domenicana", diría yo ..... - pcirino100, Jan 27, 2011

If you post in the answers side you can get votes, you know. So why would you write it that way, and what's wrong with the original headline? - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

Is that a real headline, Gekko ? - cogumela, Jan 27, 2011

It is an honest to goodness real headline, Cogu. Búscala en Google! AP, nada menos. - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

Answer 1

Decenas de venezolanos contraen cólera en República Dominicana

The original headline left out the preposition de, it used the feminine for Venezuelans, and it used the word for a person rather than the country.

Wow, I hadn't even considered there could be more than one mistake.... :| - chicasabrosa, Jan 27, 2011

Yes, you are right lorenzo, there should be a "de" there. - culé, Jan 27, 2011

Absolutely impeccable, Lorenzo. Next time I must remember to include you in my ban of Natives. Your Spanish is too good for excercises like this! ;-) - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

I put my level back to beginner a while back after a few humbling experiences :red: - lorenzo9, Jan 27, 2011

Nevertheless you are not a beginner. At least intermediate. - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

Answer 2

A guess

"Decenas venezolanas contraen cólera en Dominicana"

Means it is the "dozens" and not the Venezuelans that contracted Cholera.

Also not sure about the "Dominicana"

You're right (see Lorenzo's explanation) although Decenas means "tens", not "dozens". - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

ooops! - ian-hill, Jan 27, 2011

I read it as "docenas" - ian-hill, Jan 27, 2011

Answer 3

I think it's because dominicana is an adjective. It means Dominican. I don't know if the country can be called like that, but that's what I didn't like about this sentence.

Sorry, that's not it. although the correct, full name of the country is República Dominicana, it is not unusual to just call it "Dominicana" for headline purposes. Nice try though. - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

Answer 4

Hi Gekko,

Decenas venezolanas contraen cólera en Dominicana

I believe it should be "Docenas". Am I right?

Saludos, Chica

Sorry, that's not it. "Decenas" is fine; means "tens". - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011

Answer 5

Decenas de venezolanas contraen cólera en República Dominicana.

Why? What's wrong with the original headline. Why would you write it like this? - Gekkosan, Jan 27, 2011