Jun 8, 2011 17:45
12 yrs ago
1 viewer *
Spanish term
es más fácil encontrar al ladrón cojo ¿no?
Spanish to English
Other
Media / Multimedia
Hello all,
Any suggestions for the translation of the following expression?
Lo que pasa es que claro es más fácil encontrar al ladrón cojo ¿no?
Eso ha sido así siempre.
Context: A lady from a rough neighbourhood is asked to comment on the people who live in her neighbourhood. (These people are involved in drugs and crime). When asked if she thouht it was dangerous she replies that all neighbourhoods are dangerous and follows with the above statement. Is this a set phrase? Translating it "It's easier to find/catch a lame thief seems awkward to me. Any suggestions?
She follows this statement with
Lo que pasa es que claro es más fácil encontrar al ladrón cojo ¿no?
Eso ha sido así siempre.
Thanks to whoever responds
Any suggestions for the translation of the following expression?
Lo que pasa es que claro es más fácil encontrar al ladrón cojo ¿no?
Eso ha sido así siempre.
Context: A lady from a rough neighbourhood is asked to comment on the people who live in her neighbourhood. (These people are involved in drugs and crime). When asked if she thouht it was dangerous she replies that all neighbourhoods are dangerous and follows with the above statement. Is this a set phrase? Translating it "It's easier to find/catch a lame thief seems awkward to me. Any suggestions?
She follows this statement with
Lo que pasa es que claro es más fácil encontrar al ladrón cojo ¿no?
Eso ha sido así siempre.
Thanks to whoever responds
Proposed translations
(English)
Proposed translations
+1
7 mins
...it's always easier to find a lame thief, right?
Consider:
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Note added at 8 mins (2011-06-08 17:54:31 GMT)
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There was no sign of the shoe anywhere. Is there a thief with only one foot at the gym? A lame theft? Or was this just an obnoxious prank? ...
steve98052.livejournal.com/849960.html - Cached
Saludos!!!
eski :))
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Note added at 8 mins (2011-06-08 17:54:31 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
There was no sign of the shoe anywhere. Is there a thief with only one foot at the gym? A lame theft? Or was this just an obnoxious prank? ...
steve98052.livejournal.com/849960.html - Cached
Saludos!!!
eski :))
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
DLyons
: Given the uncertainty as to what the lady actually meant I think there's a strong case for a literal translation.
17 hrs
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Thanks, DLyons; very similar to my own assessment: eski :))
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+1
2 hrs
better the devil you know
I can't find any trace of this expression, and I assume that the lady invented it. What does she mean? Perhaps the idea is that since she's well aware of what her neighbours are like, she is prepared for any trouble that may arise, and she'll be able to identify the culprit if it does (though I must admit that this is a guess, and her remark is still pretty cryptic to me). So I think the gist of what she's saying is something like the very familiar set phrase I've suggested: all neighbourhoods are rough, but at least here I know what I'm up against. There's a touch of "forewarned is forearmed" in there, perhaps.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
DLyons
: Yes, plausible. I certainly can't think of anything better.
1 hr
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Thanks, DLyons :)
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19 hrs
James A. Walsh
Spain
Spain
Native in Spanish
&
English
Works in field
Spain
A cut above the rest in translation...
Native in: English (Variants: UK, Irish, US) 
, Spanish (Variants: Standard-Spain, Latin American)
Works in: Spanish to English, French to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
20
it's easier to catch a liar than a cripple, right?
I'm pretty sure this is referring to the Spanish proverb: "Antes se coge al mentiroso que al cojo", which there isn't much out there about really. This is about the best I could find.
I understand the intended meaning as it is easier to catch a liar [out] than it would be to [physically] catch a cripple; in other words, when people lie/deceive, the truth will be found out before long. The English proverb "what goes around, comes around" springs to mind, but doesn't seem to quite fit the bill.
I think what the lady means is that thieves/liars/drug-dealers (or whoever) will eventually get their comeuppance, will get sent down, only to be replaced by the next set of good-for-nothings. Her comment "Eso ha sido así siempre" ("This has always been the way") describes a sort of vicious circle that keeps on going and going. And that she feels apathetic about it all and is just getting on with life regardless.
Anyway, that’s my tuppence worth!
Good luck
I understand the intended meaning as it is easier to catch a liar [out] than it would be to [physically] catch a cripple; in other words, when people lie/deceive, the truth will be found out before long. The English proverb "what goes around, comes around" springs to mind, but doesn't seem to quite fit the bill.
I think what the lady means is that thieves/liars/drug-dealers (or whoever) will eventually get their comeuppance, will get sent down, only to be replaced by the next set of good-for-nothings. Her comment "Eso ha sido así siempre" ("This has always been the way") describes a sort of vicious circle that keeps on going and going. And that she feels apathetic about it all and is just getting on with life regardless.
Anyway, that’s my tuppence worth!
Good luck
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
Yvonne Gallagher
: surely it's easier to catch a cripple than a liar? Are Spaniards such bad liars?//sorry, just don't get it I'm afraid:-)
5 hrs
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If you read my explanation you'll see what is meant with 'catch'
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5 hrs
Yvonne Gallagher
Ireland
Ireland
Native in English
Ireland
right word, right place. everytime
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US, Canadian, Irish) 
Works in: French to English, Spanish to English, English, and 1 more.
a leopard cannot change its spots/everyone can find fault, few can do bette
I like Charles' idea but think this is more about the woman saying that it's easy to criticise run-down areas like this (the lame thief is easy to catch) and offer a few proverbs that may get this idea across:
everyone must row with the oars he has
before you criticise someone, walk a mile in his shoes
people in glasshouses don't throw stones
Every one can find fault, few can do better
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Note added at 1 day37 mins (2011-06-09 18:23:06 GMT)
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the first offering, "a leopard cannot change its spots" basically means that the woman is saying, "Look, that's how things are, we have to just put up with them, we have no choice!
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Note added at 1 day49 mins (2011-06-09 18:34:55 GMT)
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ormeant to say, " put up with THINGS ..." but I suppose "them" could be the nasties in the area
everyone must row with the oars he has
before you criticise someone, walk a mile in his shoes
people in glasshouses don't throw stones
Every one can find fault, few can do better
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day37 mins (2011-06-09 18:23:06 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
the first offering, "a leopard cannot change its spots" basically means that the woman is saying, "Look, that's how things are, we have to just put up with them, we have no choice!
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 day49 mins (2011-06-09 18:34:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
ormeant to say, " put up with THINGS ..." but I suppose "them" could be the nasties in the area
Discussion