TRADUguide - Your Guide to Translators and Translation Agencies

149 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.

149 months ago

P Diane   wrote:

I was of necessity given the name "Lolita".

My comment:

This conveys the idea that this was a name given as a last resort since she was not born a male, which would have been preferable of course.

149 months ago

giulianoscarpa   wrote:

so basic a name as Lolita

149 months ago

Vicki Santamaria   wrote:

meaningful name

My comment:

just an idea

149 months ago

Vicki Santamaria   wrote:

overblown/bombastic/pompous name

My comment:

"Esencial" in this context means: "very important", "utterly relevant", and the like. More or less as "essential" does in English, I guess.

However, being a native speaker of Spanish as I am, I consider this to be IRONIC. The context is full of sarcasm and so is my translation. :o)

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

149 months ago

   wrote:

Names would not be qualified by those adjectives. Especially just a one word for a name. Remarks, observations or other opinions can be overblown, bombastic or pompous.

149 months ago

Claudia   wrote:

Common name

My comment:

I am not sure because I translate the other way round but Lolita is a common name, at least in that family.

149 months ago

Margarita Viada   wrote:

essential name

My comment:

...and was given the essential name of Lolita, not because of Nabokov's novel, but for...

The asker rated this answer best

149 months ago

Margarita Viada   wrote:

the primary name

149 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

important name

149 months ago

WILHELMINA TWENEBOA-KODUA   wrote:

first name

My comment:

It could also mean "important", as if the name Lolita holds some special significance. In that case, maybe something like "...and crucially, I was named Lolita". But I think the meaning is simply "first name".

Comments by other colleagues on this answer:

149 months ago

   wrote:

RAE: 1. f. Aquello que constituye la naturaleza de las cosas, lo permanente e invariable de ellas. 2. f. Lo más importante y característico de una cosa. 3. f. Extracto líquido concentrado de una sustancia generalmente aromática. ****4. f. Perfume líquido con gran concentración de la sustancia o sustancias aromáticas.**** I don't understand the Spanish meaning....really.

149 months ago

   wrote:

Yes, all these are meanings of "esencial" -I have the RAE- but not all fit the context. If unsure of whether the author means "first name" or some version of "important", Barbara should ask the author if she can.