"No nos ven como seres humanos..."

Question

Hello Guys!

Today I was reading an article in a newspaper (El Latino), and I arrived at a phrase that was a little confusing to me.

First of all, the article was about a single mother fleeing her village because of dangerous gangs there. She tells her sad story and one of the quotes she said was;

"No nos ven como seres humanos, sino como carne; un día les daría lo mismo si nos matan”

I translate; "They don't view us as human beings, rather as meat; (????) the same if they kill us" Now, I get everything in this sentence exept for "un día les daría lo mismo" I would really appreciate it if you can assist me!

This is the website if you need more context; http://ellatinoonline.com/news/2016/jun/16/viaja-madre-soltera-meses-desde-guatemala-para-hui/ - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Answer 1

Your translation of the first part is correct. For me the second part means "One day I´ll do the same to them if they kill us", basically the same as Ray said. The term "pray to heaven" appears various times in the article, which tells me that the writer or Ubilda or both of them are religious, so the meaning is that she will have her revenge in the after-life if she and Patricia are killed.

It´s a sad story but with a happy ending. Unfortunately, there are too many humans like "los pandilleros armados" who don´t deserve to live.

True but we cannot be the judge and jury , too many are already doing that . - ray76, Jun 25, 2016

Thank you a lot Julian! Yes! the term "entre ruegos al cielo" occured two times in the article, maybe that's what she meant.. Thank you so much for taking the time to read the article! - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Ray, you are right up to a point we cannot and should not judge ie condenado the individual that is God'S right alone ...we can judge actions as being evil and barbaric, any form of evil in including terrorism and cruelty is evil ! - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2016

I mean: condemn (typo) line 2 of my response. - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2016

Answer 2

Hi Steve ,I read it as ,"one day I will return the compliment" or ,

" I will give them the same as they give me " .My hope is that she can rise above that,

and not be like them .

Oh you think she means revenge, I don't know because she's a single mother with her 4 year old child who's trying to escape the danger. But your translation makes sense to me, thank you Ray! - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Answer 3

I am so sorry guys, I don't intend to confuse anyone, I read this quote like twenty times but I couldn't figure out a scenario that matches the true meaning the woman meant. I will take it that they (gang people) will get punished in the after life. Thank you all very much for your time

Thanks marksteve , nice to see a member with good manners , good onya mate - ray76, Jun 25, 2016

Thanks Ray, it's my pleasure to be a member in this nice place! - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Answer 4

Ray's answer is OK, but "daría" is in the conditional, "I would give them the same" but when coupled with "si nos matan" it sounds a little illogical. "I would do the same to them if they kill us" --It just doesn't seem logical. Something is missing--maybe punctuation. I don't know for sure.

Maybe the gun is missing , hi Jefa how are you ? - ray76, Jun 25, 2016

It confuses me too. How are you going to kill them if they kill you?... - cmusba, Jun 25, 2016

Thank you Daniela for your response! :) - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Answer 5

Maybe the single mother is saying/means: 'I would do the same to them: I would view them simply as meat ...if they were to kill us!

Just an idea of the writer's possible meaning as I was reading Dani's post!

I hope this helps

Thank you FELIZ77 for your response!! I see your point:) - marksteve, Jun 25, 2016

Thank you, Mark :) - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2016