"Establecerse" v "asentarse"

Question

Here is an exerpt from an article about the people known as pames of Cetral America:

Habitantes de terrenos accidentados con abruptos contrastes entre elevadas montañas y profundas valles, los pames se mantuvieron como cazadores de arco y flecha y recolectores nómadas mientras las circunstancias se los permitieron, y se asentaron establecieron cuando la necesidad los forzó a ello.

To me "se asentaron" and "se estabecieron" mean the same thing, something like "they settled down" or "they put down roots." But I'm guessing there must be some subtle difference?

Answer 1

I believe like Julian, that something went wrong in the editing. I believe it should be:

"Se asentaron y se establecieron-----" "Establecer" is a transitive verb that needs a direct object. Even a pronomial pronoun will do. (se)

However I do disagree that they are too similar to have an "y" between them. A quick look at any dictionary, such as we have on SD, will point out the differences.

Answer 2

y se asentaron establecieron cuando la necesidad los forzó a ello.

It sounds very strange to have two verbs together with the same conjugation. Maybe the author was trying to decide which verb to use and then forgot to delete the one he chose not to use. And the verbs are too similar to have together with Y between them.

thanks - malbecblend, Apr 3, 2017