"fondo" ignore>>12345678

Question

I'm translating a piece from Spanish to English about a museum. Here's the phrase:

*Se remodelaron sus fondos y se abrieron nuevas salas, en el espacioso edificio levantado en 1771 por los británicos

Now that one has me pondering. I've decided to render it as "collection" as being most in context. That makes the phrase:

They reorganised the collection and opened up new rooms in the spacious building erected by the British in 1771. I'd appreciate it if a native speaker (Spanish preferably) could confirm that "collection" works here. Thanks

Answer 1

Effectively, "reorganised the collection" is the right word in this context. When it says "fondos" referring to a library, archive or museum is "collections, possessions " like saying a whole of manuscripts, paintings, etc...

Can you give any reference of that use of "fondos"? Never heard of it. - DualG, Jul 10, 2013

Thanks, I was beginning to accept the alternatives although my heart said no, Collins ref below confirms the usage - lagartijaverde, Jul 11, 2013

I may sound good to you, but I still believe it is wrong. Remodelar does not match with that interpretation. When you say "remodellar", you are not talking about reorganization but changes. I respectfully disagree (Tony Stark). - DualG, Jul 11, 2013

Answer 2

Hi Largatija;

Check " Fondo" in Word reference ( I somehow forgot how to post a link it seems) I would say "buildings" as opposed to collections.

Hmm, i can;t use collection then? Thanks for warning me. - lagartijaverde, Jul 8, 2013

Answer 3

No. It's incorrect. It's talking about remodeling. "Fondos" means either back rooms or backyards here.

Answer 4

Even when "fondo" can be used to refer to a wealth of something I have never heard anyone using it like the example you provided. And using "remodelar" toghether with "fondo" is even more wear if you want to refer to a collection.
Remodel a collection?

I don't know if you wrote the spanish sentence or not but if someone else did it I bet they mean to remodel a building.

Totally agree. - DualG, Jul 14, 2013

Answer 5

Se remodelaron sus fondos

could be

Its foundations were remodelled.

Yes, I did consider that but there is a word for that already...:-) - lagartijaverde, Jul 8, 2013

oh- you forgot to show that amigo :) - ian-hill, Jul 8, 2013

How about "out buildings" ? - ian-hill, Jul 8, 2013

Now there's a thought because it was a conversion of old barracks, nice one. - lagartijaverde, Jul 8, 2013

Answer 6

Unless the word is used in a totally different way where your text is from, but I don't believe it so. It totally makes sense with the rest of the sentence.

Ok, I'll re-think it. Thanks for the response. - lagartijaverde, Jul 8, 2013

Answer 7

Here is a reference:

From the Collins Spanish:

(= reserva) [de biblioteca, archivo, museo] collection ? el fondo de arte del museo the museum's art collection

See ref: 11

Thanks Licaon I really needed confirmation

Answer 8

@DualG: Are you absolutely sure? The rest of the context doesn't bear this out. Thanks for your answer.