Question on using reflexive form of verb vs. verb + "si mismo"

Question

Hello all!

I have a quick question concerning the English word "themself/ves" and how to properly translate it into Spanish; specifically in the following context:

• Inspectors need to identify themselves and the company or agency to which they belong.

I know that when referring to oneself you may say "yo mismo/a" and when referring to someone else [her/himself] you may say "si mismo/a" or, for plural, "ellos/as mismos/as", but I am unsure of whether or not "ellos mismos" can be used in the translated version of the above sentence. Is it better or necessary to use the reflexive version of the verb "to identify" [identificarse]?

My guesses/options going through my head:

• Inspectores tienen que identificarse a ellos mismos y la empresa o agencia de que vienen.
• Inspectores tienen que identificarse y la empresa/agencia de que vienen.
• Inspectores tienen que identificar ellos mismos y la empresa/agencia de que vienen.

Are any of these correct? Can someone inform me of the proper way to say this?

Thank you in advance for your responses!

• Alyssa

a ellos mismos means ' to themselves'. - annierats, Jul 18, 2012

Answer 1

Los inspectores deben acreditar su identidad y la de la empresa / agencia en la cual trabajan.

Possibly: Los inpectores deben acreditarse de su misma identidad y la de la empresa en que trabajan.

Los inspectores deben identificarse y la empresa u organismo al que pertenecen - ian-hill, Jul 19, 2012

Cheers Ian, good solution. - annierats, Jul 19, 2012

Answer 2

My suggestion is "Los inspectores tienen que identificarse a sí mismos y (también) a la compañía o agencia a la cual pertenecen/ para la cual trabajan".

Answer 3

I don't think you need the ' themselves' in this instance.

Es necesario que los inspectores puedan indentificarse.

It's a suggestion. More will come. I'm tired and can offer no better just now. - annierats, Jul 18, 2012

translate* - ale_rd, Jul 18, 2012

In Spanish people 'have to' do things, so you'd traslate 'need to' as 'tienen que'. - ale_rd, Jul 18, 2012

Yes, my version is just a bit less word for word. There are several ways of saying ' have to'. - annierats, Jul 19, 2012