can 'gusano' refer to a dragon?
I'm reading a Spanish translation of The Hobbit right now and it used 'gusano' to translate 'worm', as in the archaic term for a dragon. (aka wurm or wyrm) Does that word really have the same secondary meaning in Spanish?
2 Answers
Hello Audiblesmiles,
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You asked:
can 'gusano' refer to a dragon. I'm reading a Spanish translation of The Hobbit right now and it used 'gusano' to translate 'worm', as in the archaic term for a dragon. (aka wurm or wyrm) Does that word really have the same secondary meaning in Spanish?
The Spanish word for worm is indeed translated 'gusano'
However, the word worm simply reminds us of a harmless creature that burrows and lives underground.
When we think of a dragon which is translated un dragón in Spanish this conjures up images of fierce, fire-breathing creatures that we usually associate with legends like King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table or King George slaying the dragon! In the bible the dragon refers to the enemy of God Almighty (who is the devil) and his Jewish and gentile followers, in picture language in the book of revealation he is portayed as a dragon....fierce and relentless in his pursuit of destroying God's people and his creation!
I have watched all the Hobbit (and Lord of the Rings) films including the Desolation of Smaug (the dragon ....voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) and as a loathesome adversary representing the evil Sauron, this dragon, I would say, is literally un dragón in Spanish, but could also be considered a worm: 'gusano', in 2 respecta: 1.He inhabits a cave below the earth like a worm and metaphorically speaking is a worm in the sense of being a despicable creature which could possibly account for the word worm: 'gusano' being used in Spanish!
I hope this helps
Corrijan mi español si es necesario, por favor: )
Worm is gusano. Never heard it as dragon. It could also have a political meaning or used to have.
