"Del lugar" "en el lugar"

Question

I understand that "del lugar" literally means "of the place" and "en el lugar" means "in the place." But oftentimes when I come across this phrase in my readings these literal translations don't quite fit. Here is an extended passage from a text I'm reading today that uses "del lugar" and "en el lugar" several times:

"Pasados varios años luego de la colonización española llegó, en 1838, el presbítero Don José Miguel Alegría. Este reconocido profesor de latín de la época fundó {en el lugar} un colegio de filosofía donde estudiaban los hijos de la clase alta de la región. Cuando el presbítero falleció fue enterrado con honores en la iglesia parroquial de Tecapa.

En 1891 uno de sus discípulos, quien en aquel momento ocupara el cargo de diputado {del lugar}, propuso llamar al pueblo "Alegría" en honor a quien tanto había hecho por la cultura y la educación {del lugar}. Los lugareños no sólo aceptaron la propuesta con los brazos abiertos sino que, años después, erigieron un busto en la plaza principal {del lugar} para mostrar gratitud a su ilustre maestro."

Literal translations of del lugar and/or en el lugar would sound quite awkward. More suitable translations?

Honestly I could just translate each instance most naturally as "there", although one could translate "del lugar" as "the place's" (in front)- it is just simpler to put "there" each time for me. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 22, 2017

If you need a full or partial translation to see what I mean, I can do it later when I have time if you request that. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 22, 2017

Not necessary, Feliz did it. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 23, 2017

Answer 1

I understand that "del lugar" literally means "of the place"

Or "from the place" or....

(I imagine that any meaning that de can have, it can have in the context of del.)

I agree with bosquederoble's comment that "there" works just fine in your quote. Also, bear in mind that "del lugar" can be used to mean "local." La gente del lugar (and also las gentes del lugar) can be translated as "the people of the place," but "the local people" (or "the locals") sounds much better in English. Certainly, "local deputy" (or "local delegate," or "local representative," depending on context) is a good translation of diputado del lugar.

Answer 2

Hello Malbecblend,

Welcome to our SpanishDict community forum

I have posted my best attempt at a translation of your text to illustrate that the (your) translations of en el lugar and del lugar are perfectly valid!

I am not a native Spanish speaker (hispanohablante) so I submit my best attempt so the community, especially the natives can correct my translation. I am open to correction as always but I honestly cannot see any problem with translating these expressions literally in their contexts. I hope this helps

"Pasados varios años luego de la colonización española llegó, en 1838, el presbítero Don José Miguel Alegría. Este reconocido profesor de latín de la época fundó {en el lugar} un colegio de filosofía donde estudiaban los hijos de la clase alta de la región. Cuando el presbítero falleció fue enterrado con honores en la iglesia parroquial de Tecapa. En 1891 uno de sus discípulos, quien en aquel momento ocupara el cargo de diputado {del lugar}, propuso llamar al pueblo "Alegría" en honor a quien tanto había hecho por la cultura y la educación {del lugar}. Los lugareños no sólo aceptaron la propuesta con los brazos abiertos sino que, años después, erigieron un busto en la plaza principal {del lugar} para mostrar gratitud a su ilustre maestro."

My translation

Many years having passed after the Spanish colonisation, in 1838, the Presbyterian Don José Miguel Alegria arrived. This recognized professor of Latin of the period founded in the place a school of philsophy where the upper (high) class children of the region used to study. When the presbyter passed away he was buried with honours in the parish church of Tecapa.

In 1891, one of his disciples, who at that moment was taking charge as deputy of the place, proposed (or suggested) calling the town Alegría in honour of the one who had done so much for the culture and the education of the place. The local people not only accepted the suggestion with open arms, but erected a bust in the principal square of the place to show (or express) gratitude to their illustrious master.

Corrijan mi español si es necesario, por favor

Sounds good, and of the place/in the place sound fine to me. But I could replace each one with there, and it would also sound good. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 22, 2017

Thank you, Bosque for your comment and your vote! Yes, you are absolutely right of course. I simply thought that the word 'of the place' and, 'in the place' sounded more interesting than writing 'there' for both situations, even though ... - FELIZ77, Jul 22, 2017

the word 'there' is equally valid! ;) - FELIZ77, Jul 22, 2017

Yes, it does nice with the literal translations in what you wrote- you made the point well that that way also works nicely. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 22, 2017

Thank you, Bosque :) - FELIZ77, Jul 22, 2017

Thanks everyone. - malbecblend, Jul 23, 2017

Answer 3

One more:

"El clima de Alegría es templado y agradable y oscila entre los 18 y 24 grados centígrados. La geografía {del lugar} es montañoso y se caracteriza por la presencia del volcán Tecapa y una laguna de color verde."

In the above text "of the place" would be understandable but awkward. While "there" would work as a translation (the geography there is mountainous...), I'd be tempted to translate "del lugar" as "of the area." Thus, "Alegría's climate is temperate (or mild) and it fluctuates between 18 and 24 degrees centigrade. The geography of the area is mountainous (or The area's geography is mountainous) and it is notable for the presence of the Tecapa volcano and an emerald laguna.

Agree?

Laguna is lake or lagoon in English. - NKM1974, Jul 24, 2017

Whoops. Thanks. Also, I noticed after I posted that I wrote "La geografía del lugar es montañoso. .." whereas it should have been "La geografía del lugar es montañosa.." - malbecblend, Jul 24, 2017