La palabra carrera
In Spanish when we study Law we can say "Estudio derecho".
We can also say " Yo estudio la carrera de derecho."
We can ask: "¿Qué carrera estás estudiando?" And the answer is : - "Derecho".
Can we use the English word "career" in this case? As far as I know a "career" in English has to do more with work. An actress has a career etc.
How would you translate..........
1 En mi carrera tenemos ocho semestres.
2 Carlos estudia la carrera de ingeniería de sistemas. Dicen que es una carrera muy buena para conseguir un empleo.
3 Las carreras donde hay más mujeres estudiando son las de magisterio y derecho.
etc etc. etc.
Thanks in advance. I always have this problem. It's definition number 6 in DRAE.
2 Answers
For me this is very topical. Our teacher often uses the word when he is clearly talking about his university studies - he has degrees in psychology and linguistics [separate degrees at different universities]. He explained about the Spanish word being wider than the English word 'career' I remember we also discussed the etymologically linked word carretera and carretero - fumar como un carretero - smoke like a chimney.
In the UK we talk about someone's career path. There is also a verb career used for something usually a vehicle travelling too fast and out of control. usually career is used to refer to a profession - medical career, career as a teacher etc. However, in the UK it can be wider but is not used for study. There are analogies to its etymology with road in that you can say from an early age he mapped out his career in finance. here is the definition in The Oxford Dictionary
1 En mi carrera tenemos ocho semestres. In my degree [course] we have eight terms
2 Carlos estudia la carrera de ingeniería de sistemas. Dicen que es una carrera muy buena para conseguir un empleo.
Carlos is studying systems engineering or Carlos is studying for a degree in systems engineering. He says a degree in computing is very good to obtain employment.
3 Las carreras donde hay más mujeres estudiando son las de magisterio y derecho. The degrees [or degree courses] where there are most women studying are in education and law.
There are some differences between the UK and USA. Americans will talk about majoring in a subject we say graduating. There is a more formal word used in the UK for studying an academic subject at university which is 'read' Jane is reading Law at Cambridge [replaces the word study] However, I mention it as you like words, the word study is widely used and some may think 'read' is elitist or old fashioned.
More informal What are you doing at uni? I'm doing Spanish or I'm doing a Spanish degree/ a humanities degree/ Engineering etc
Incidentally a blog I like has dealt with the word for Spanish learners
if you see the date you will see why I say it is topical
Here is the Spanish/English translations:
- In my career, we have eight terms.
- Carlos studies systems engineering. They say it's a career to obtain an employment.
- There are more women studying careers in teaching and law.
