La pregunta no quiere callar

Question

"La pregunta no quiere callar" was the title in the TV guide about the Kennedy assasination in 1963.

I'm trying to figure out how to translate it. I think the first part would be "the question you don't want". I don't understand how the verb "callar" finished the sentence. Callar means to shut up or stop talking which makes no sense.

Can anyone help?

Thanks.

Well done giving such clear context, well worth a vote :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2012

Answer 1

I think that "La pregunta que no quiere callar" means "The question that won't go away". If it remains unaddressed or unanswered, then it will keep on popping up. I did not see this movie (Oliver's JFK), so my opinion is based solely on language.

Your answer makes sense francobollo, I just wonder about the mechanics of the sentence. - john20, Oct 4, 2012

That's a very common construction. El niño que no se quiere dormir (The baby that won't fall asleep). El perro que no quiere hacer caso (The dog that won't obey) - francobollo, Oct 4, 2012

yes thinking about it, I agree Franco, it sounds much better with the 'que' :) Nice work. - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2012

Adding the "que" does make more sense, but I was wondering about the mechanics of the original sentence. - john20, Oct 4, 2012

Answer 2

The question doesn't want to keep quiet. (smiley) - sorry the emocions don't seem to work anymore.

So I guess they're saying it's such an old case but it keeps coming up as if it wants to be answered, it's like it won't keep quiet until the truth is out, or something like that.

What a team! - francobollo, Oct 4, 2012

:) Good point about the que - estoy de acuerdo :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2012

Answer 3

Thanks Kiwi-Girl. I guess "the question doesn't want to keep quiet" actually could be the literal translation. I was thinking "no quiere" was conjugated for "you" but it could be toward the question.

de nada, happy to help :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 4, 2012