Empecemos por los principios básicos: I was told to make my sentences simpler.

Question

I was at first put out when I was told in a forum to make my sentences simpler. I want to express images and ideas, not just words. I want to express in Spanish what I'm able to say now in English, but it's just not possible without the footwork to create complex sentences. The instruction given to me caused me to have an epiphany. Some of the most profound ideas are expressed in simple sentences or even single words. One of the best responses to my attempts at Spanish that I've had from my co-workers was when I answered a question simply with,"Porque puedo." I'm also reminded of one the phrases that attracted me to this language in the first place. It was written by Gabriel García Marquez, the Nobel laureate. It is a simple phrase, easily translated in words, but very difficult to translate in meaning:

«...lo llevó a conocer el hielo.»

So I changed my phrase: "I can't tell which way this guy is walking, and when he walks his dog its even more confusing." To: "Take a walk on the wild side." (some of you may recognize this as the name of a Lou Reed song). Fewer words. Deeper meaning. Thanks Heidita for your excellent instruction.

Lalo, unaccept the answer so that you can get more answers, you can later accept it again, if you wish - 00494d19, Jul 22, 2011

I would really like everybody to see this post;) - 00494d19, Jul 22, 2011

Thanks again Heidita. - LaloLoco, Jul 22, 2011

por fin, gracias lovely, lalo, that was impossible to read, lovely was so nice to change it for us, we dont want you to get only a couple of answers due to the font, do we;) - 00494d19, Jul 22, 2011

The font was too hard to read lalo, so l changed it ;) hope you don't mind! great post :D - 00b6f46c, Jul 22, 2011

That would be the third font change. I am but puddy in your hands. ;) - LaloLoco, Jul 22, 2011

Answer 1

I am glad you brought this up, lalo.

It is essential for everybody to try to post not a very clever sentence but a correct one, so if that takes to start with simple structures, well, so be it.

In my corrections, I do not rewrite sentences. If a sentences is so wrong that I would have to write it again...well, I just say: try again with something easier, I don't see any good in translating your English sentence FOR you.

Just try to use simple structures first, then you can get onto more complicated ones

If that's waht it takes, that's what it takes. - LaloLoco, Jul 22, 2011

Answer 2

That reminds me of reading computer screens about 30 years ago (CRT's). No wonder that I need to wear glasses.

I would say, "No wonder I need to wear glasses." or "It's no wonder that I need to wear glasses." - LaloLoco, Jul 23, 2011

Thank you for that. I'm a lover of irony. So the fact that this post about meaning had its meaning totally obscured by the format is deliciously ironic to me. - LaloLoco, Jul 23, 2011

Answer 3

Very good post LaloLoco...

It is essential to try to create a sentence that is within your abilities....my Spanish is by no means excellent, but I have been trying to correct the posts that I can, and I often see people try to do very complicated sentence structures, and the meaning gets completely lost in Spanish.

My advice is the same - keep your sentences simple at first, maybe trying the last thing that you've studied (i.e. preterite tense, future, etc.), but don't try to overreach your ability just to try to make a funny sentence.

You will learn more that way, and you will learn more from the corrections....and in no time, you will be able to make your sentences more complicated, and they will be correct (or close...jejeje)

Gracias. - LaloLoco, Jul 23, 2011

Answer 4

"Regreso a basicos" makes no sense in Spanish, because that is an idiomatic expression in English (meaning that you cannot translate it literally), and because "básico" is not a noun in Spanish. In Spanish it sounds as funny as "Returning to elementaries". For this, try "Empecemos por los principios básicos".

Thank you for the correction. - LaloLoco, Jul 22, 2011

And also the irony. - LaloLoco, Jul 23, 2011