Puerta
 

This is a discussion thread for the Daily Spanish Word for April 28, 2008

puerta -feminine noun (la), door. Look up puerta in the dictionary

La puerta está entreabierta.
The door is cracked open.

La apertura política del franquismo durante los años sesenta abrió las puertas al turismo.

That translates literally into English as well.

The political openness of General Franco's regime during the 60s opened the doors to tourism.

Aunque no estoy seguro que traduje bien "apertura política".

I don't think the Franco era was famed for openess, but in the 1970's
toward the end of his 35 year (more of less 35 years) reign, things started
to open up a little. I assume it was something like Glasnost in the final days of the Soviet Union. When the generalissimo died, things really
started to change.

Poli

So maybe a better translation would be:

The [downfall/weakening/political decline] of General Franco's regime during the 70s opened the doors to tourism.

Hey, I wasn't speaking about the 70's when Franco was about to die, but about the 60's when Spain, although it was a dictatorial regime, started opening up to tourism and many Spanish migrants sent money and pictures showing beautiful Swedish girls to their families and friends. This period is known as Apertura política de los años sesenta. I guess political openness translates it pretty well.

You should say: This period is known as Apertura política...

Maybe the best translation would be:

The political [opening up/relaxation] of General Franco's regime during the 60s opened the doors to tourism.

or something like:

The relaxation of the political restrictions of General Franco's regime during the 60s opened the doors to tourism.
During the 60s General Franco's political restrictions were relaxed, opening the doors to tourism.

Those are great translations, David. Thanks a lot for them and for your correction!