" Dignidad es una máscara " Translation exercise . Spanish .

Question

Dignidad es una máscara ponemos para disfrazar nuestra ignorancia.

Dignity is a mask we wear to disguise our ignorance.

I am wearing a"see through" mask now because I am having great trouble with this phrase.

Please help me with the translation and explanation.

Answer 1

Very close, mate!

"La dignidad es una máscara que nos ponemos para cubrir / esconder nuestra ignorancia."

If you want to use "disfrazar," it would be simply "La dignidad es una máscara que nos ponemos para disfrazarnos / andar de disfraz."

Note:

disfrazar.

(Etim. disc.; cf. ant. desfrezar, disimular).

1. tr. Desfigurar la forma natural de alguien o de algo para que no sea conocido. U. t. c. prnl.

2. tr. Disimular, desfigurar con palabras y expresiones lo que se siente.

3. prnl. Vestirse de máscara.

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I like Ray's "disfrazar" used in the sense of "disguise / cover up! - ian-hill, Mar 3, 2012

Which is exactly what our , perhaps false dignity does , it disguises our ignorance , or at least appears to . - ray76, Mar 3, 2012

Thank you Julian , I am always amazed that the most innocent sounding sentences are fraught with traps and innuendos which point one in different directions , and incredibly complex and stimulating language. - ray76, Mar 3, 2012

Typo, " an incredibly " - ray76, Mar 3, 2012

Great! - --Mariana--, Mar 3, 2012

Answer 2

I learn a lot from dissecting your posts.

I was wondering if "vestimos" might be a better fit than "ponemos"? I'd love to hear thoughts on why, or why not.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Vestirse may just fit , but I would like a Spanish native to give an opinion, vestimos ,- " we are dressed " sounds good. - ray76, Mar 3, 2012

It seems to fit well with the motive to "cover up" or "disguise" something. I agree though. I'd like to hear it from a native speaker to be sure. - ciscocaja, Mar 3, 2012

"...es una máscara con la que nos vestimos" no suena muy natural. Con "máscara" usamos "ponerse una máscara", "disfrazarnos/cubrirnos" con una máscara", "ocultarnos/escondernos tras una máscara"... - Cordobesa, Mar 3, 2012

Gracias, Cordobesa! I hope someday I'll begin to develop a "feel" for what sounds natural. For now, I can only guess, and hope for guidance. Your expertise is very much appreciated! - ciscocaja, Mar 3, 2012

De nada, Cisco, seguro que lo consigues poco a poco :) - Cordobesa, Mar 3, 2012

Answer 3

I like Ray's translation, too, but I think more in my experience people use arrogance as a mask to cover up ignorance! :p

Thank you old friend but I think that maybe arrogance is more a state of being than a mask, and that perhaps it is ignorance that is used to cover their arrogance , but it is done badly. - ray76, Mar 3, 2012

Good point! - --Mariana--, Mar 3, 2012