TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

150 months ago

Barbara Cochran (a guest user) asked this question:

This question has already been answered and rated. Therefore, no new answers can be given.

150 months ago

giulianoscarpa   wrote:

debased and pitiable

150 months ago

Itering Languages   wrote:

coarse and whining character (personality)

My comment:

Two options:
coarse and whining character
coarse and whining personality

150 months ago

Margarita Viada   wrote:

coarse and pitiful

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

150 months ago

   wrote:

it's interesting that everyone except you translated the word caracter as character. Hmmm. I assume this is a novel, because describing sadness as being "overtly sociable or public" sounds at least 19th century....lack of modesty?? Anyway, the fact you didn't translate character is right. Here, in English we really wouldn't say character.... coarse is great, lastimoso is hurtful, isn't it?

150 months ago

Margarita Viada   wrote:

Dear Jane, In my opinion, it is up to Barbara how she turns the sentence: using nouns or adjectives, adding personality or nature. You are right that character does not belong there. "Lastimoso" is not hurtful but rather pathetic.

150 months ago

Abril Wagner   wrote:

I agree with Margarita. "Lastimoso" in this context means pathetic, so "pitiful" would be my choice, also. For "vulgar", coarse or common. I would translate it as "common and pitiful personality".

150 months ago

Margarita Viada   wrote:

pitiful and pathetic character

My comment:

I personally prefer the way the phrase sounds when you switch the words around, as in "pathetic and pitiful character"

The asker rated this answer best

150 months ago

rhodie   wrote:

common and pitiful character