Use of quotation marks in Spanish versus English

Question

I am editing courses that contain Bible citations. What is the generally accepted rule on in-text citations with quotations?

"text........". (quotation mark inside the ending punctuation) "text........." (quotation mark outside the ending punctuation)

Here is just one of many examples:

En la unión está la fuerza. Eclesiastés 4:12 dice: "Y si alguno prevaleciere contra uno, dos le resistirán; y cordón de tres dobleces no se rompe pronto".

Or:

En la unión está la fuerza. Eclesiastés 4:12 dice: "Y si alguno prevaleciere contra uno, dos le resistirán; y cordón de tres dobleces no se rompe pronto."

Thanks for any input on this!

For me the 2nd one must be correct - otherwise you are omitting the (full stop) of the original text. - If there was one. - ian-hill, Jan 3, 2013

Answer 1

This << xText >>. and <<¿Text?>> example I have seen and understand. Thanks for your examples. I actually ordered the grammar reference book cited above, so maybe after reading it all will make sense!

When you get the book please post the examples to enlighten us all. - 00551866, Jan 4, 2013

Answer 2

I cannot answer this but would like to add: Speech, in Spanish texts is usually preceded by - rather than quotation marks. But I never know when the speech has finished. Is there a secret clue? I 'm refering to modern texts.

Hi Annie xx - ian-hill, Jan 3, 2013

By the way I prefer the - method. Much tidier. - ian-hill, Jan 3, 2013

Thanks Ian, it's only hard to know when they stop talking, but usually there is a new line.. - annierats, Jan 3, 2013

Answer 3

This depends on what writing guidelines you are required to use. But if you do not have to follow requirements on this then (Text "quote." text.) or (Text "quote".)

-Good, that clears it up, I understand. - annierats, Jan 3, 2013

Answer 4

You might want to invest in this or a similar standard that can be referenced when there are questions about what is correct.

The Writer's Reference Guide to Spanish: The Authoritative Handbook for Writers, Editors, Translators, Students, and Scholars.

Thanks, I'll take a look at it. - editorkt, Jan 3, 2013

Answer 5

For me the 2nd one must be correct - otherwise you are omitting the (full stop) of the original text. - If there was one that is.

Answer 6

In the National Geographic Spanish 2010 they use the following:

Text "quote", dice Xxxx.

text "quote -dice Xxxx- quote".

En la unión está la fuerza. "Y si alguno prevaleciere contra uno, dos le resistirán; y cordón de tres dobleces no se rompe pronto", dice Eclesiastés 4:12.

En la unión está la fuerza. "Y si alguno prevaleciere contra uno, -dice Eclesiastés 4:12- dos le resistirán; y cordón de tres dobleces no se rompe pronto".

Hope this helps more.

Answer 7

Another book in Spanish uses -- but it is one mark the length of the two for conversation

--¿Oras de noche, hijito? --le preguntó el pastor.

and << >> but closer together and the punctuation is outside for periods and inside for question.

<< xText >>. and <<¿Text?>>

The book is 2008

Answer 8

I am still very confused only in that the 2nd answer matches more closely what the rule is for English. I tried looking on some other Spanish grammar sites and one says that the main difference between Spanish and English on this punctuation is that Spanish differs from English with "text". being the rule in Spanish and "text." being the rule in English. ??

Answer 9

The second one is correct. One of the main/only differences about using quotation marks in Spanish is that punctuation always goes inside the quotations. In Spanish quotation marks are generally accepted, but if you are writing/translating something for an audience from Spain you may want to use "comillas españolas". On a stylistic note, although the colon is completely grammatically correct when it proceeds a quotation mark in Spanish and English a comma is generally preferred.

One thing to note is that although punctuation inside the quotation mark is grammatically correct, you will see a ton of Spanish writing where this is not the case. This is because of the influence of English, and even very prolific Spanish journalists, authors, etc. write in this style.