Backwards Translation

Question

Why does it seem like everything written in Spanish is written backwards when looked at from an English perspective? For example, one's name. I wrote my first, middle and last name in the translation box in that order, but it translated it in the last, middle and first order.

Answer 1

Sentence structure in English and Spanish are different because they are two separate languages that developed for the most part independently.

A person who speaks Spanish as their first language would see the English as being the odd one out.

The answer to your question is in your question. You asked when looked at from an English perspective.

Good explanation! - lazarus1907, May 1, 2011

Thanks. - dc-alien-z, May 1, 2011

Strange that it does it with names though. I will have to try that. :) - ian-hill, May 1, 2011

I did and it did not do it for my name. - ian-hill, May 1, 2011

It only switched my middle and last name. - dc-alien-z, May 1, 2011

So how do i read it right when everything is mixed up? im a beginning spanish speaker... - Nerd36, May 1, 2011

Nerd36, I am not sure of the answer to how you read it right. There are grammatical rules that I do not understand. For example in English we say big dog. In Spanish it would be perro grande. I will answer this question again to bring it to the top. - dc-alien-z, May 1, 2011

Great answer - Izanoni1, May 2, 2011

Thanks Izanoni. I do not have the knowledge to answer technical grammar questions. - dc-alien-z, May 2, 2011

Thanks dcalienz. At least i know im not crazy :) - Nerd36, May 2, 2011

You are welcome Nerd. - dc-alien-z, May 2, 2011

Answer 2

I have posted another question in the hopes that someone will help you with your question in the comments under my answer.